Storage Space Gem: Above the Refrigerator
Underutilized space above the refrigerator has valuable kitchen storage potential. These ideas for cabinets and more help you maximize it
A well-appointed kitchen can make all the difference to a homeowner, so every last inch needs to be utilized effectively — including the often forgotten space above the refrigerator.
Design the area above the fridge to blend in with the rest of the kitchen. Add cabinetry, shelving, molding and other details for a seamless look. This space is great for storing or showcasing kitchenware that isn't used on an everyday basis. Remember to keep weight in mind when organizing. Obviously, you don't want to lift heavy items over your head.
Here are a few examples from the professionals to get your wheels turning.
Design the area above the fridge to blend in with the rest of the kitchen. Add cabinetry, shelving, molding and other details for a seamless look. This space is great for storing or showcasing kitchenware that isn't used on an everyday basis. Remember to keep weight in mind when organizing. Obviously, you don't want to lift heavy items over your head.
Here are a few examples from the professionals to get your wheels turning.
For an eclectic look, create a niche above the fridge and display decorative platters and vases that are too pretty to hide behind cabinet doors. Install custom molding around the niche to enhance the look.
If hidden storage is a priority in your kitchen, install a cabinet above the fridge. Make it as deep as the fridge and take it all the way to the ceiling. For a built-in look, add molding and disguise your fridge behind matching cabinet panels.
Take your above-the-fridge display idea a step further with its own recessed lighting and arched molding.
Open shelving mimics built-ins and allows you to store cookbooks and collectibles in plain sight. Keep a sturdy step stool in a fun color nearby to reach the items easily.
A custom wine rack above the refrigerator is a spin-off on the open shelving idea, and the gridlike pattern adds interest to the room. Because high temperatures can affect the aging process of wine, this idea works best above modern refrigerators where the coils are on the bottom of the fridge instead of on the back.
This built-in wine rack features a crisscross design as an unexpected geometric element. Keeping the wine rack the same color and material as the rest of the kitchen makes for a seamless design.
If you enjoy watching television while you cook, why not fill the nook above your fridge with a small flatscreen TV? As opposed to countertop or undercabinet locations, this placement frees up countertop space for meal prep and avoids cooking messes from splattering onto the TV.
Another take on the TV idea is to place it behind doors and on a pullout shelf. This way it can be hidden when not in use and easily pulled out when desired.
Tell us: How do you optimize the space above your refrigerator?
More:
12 Refrigerators in Disguise
Tell us: How do you optimize the space above your refrigerator?
More:
12 Refrigerators in Disguise
