Keeping a clean and organized home has always helped me stay focused and feel more at ease in my space, and that definitely includes my kitchen—especially my refrigerator. Growing up, I didn’t pay much attention to clutter or where things were stored, but that all changed thanks to my mom. She always kept our house spotless, like it was ready for a magazine photoshoot at any moment, and she had some clever organization tricks that I’ve carried with me into adulthood.
One of those tricks involves a part of the kitchen many people overlook or ignore entirely: the cupboards above the fridge. At first glance, those high, narrow cabinets might seem awkward or even useless. They’re hard to reach, not always easy to see into, and often get dusty if left empty. But as my mom showed me, with a little thought and planning, they can become incredibly useful storage spots for items that don’t need to be accessed daily. One of the best uses for the cupboards above the fridge is to store small kitchen appliances that aren’t used all the time. Things like blenders, food processors, waffle makers, or ice cream machines take up a lot of space but don’t need to be within arm’s reach every day. Instead of letting them crowd your countertops or lower cabinets, stashing them up high makes more sense.
It clears room while still keeping those gadgets available when needed. Another great use is for canned goods or baking ingredients. Since canned foods and dry baking staples like flour, sugar, and baking soda have long shelf lives, you don’t need to access them daily, and they can sit in those top cupboards until you’re ready to use them. I like to stock up on these items when they go on sale and store the overflow up there, freeing up space in my pantry for things I reach for more often.
That cupboard space is also a good place to tuck away cookbooks. If you’re like me and have accumulated a small library of cookbooks over the years, you probably don’t flip through all of them every week. Instead of letting them pile up on your counter or get dusty on a shelf, neatly stacking them in the cupboard above the fridge keeps them safe, organized, and out of the way. You can also turn that space into a mini pantry extension. Adding small wire racks or baskets helps organize spice refills, extra snacks, boxed items, or other pantry goods. I’ve even used the space to store kitchen towels and cloth napkins that I buy in bulk. These are lightweight, don’t spoil, and are easy to pull down when I need to refresh the ones I’m using.
Another smart use for those overhead cabinets is to store items you want to keep out of reach of curious kids or pets. Things like fragile china, holiday dishes, or items with sentimental value can be safely stored there without worry. Since it’s not easy to get to, you’ll naturally limit how often those special things are handled, which reduces the chance of them being damaged. Of course, it’s important to be smart about how you use this space. Always use a sturdy, reliable step stool when accessing high cabinets. Never overload them with heavy items that could be dangerous to lift down. And keep in mind that since the fridge generates heat, it’s not the ideal place to store food that’s sensitive to temperature changes like chocolate or certain oils. But if you stick to dry goods, tools, and non-perishable items, you’ll be just fine. What once seemed like wasted space now serves as a practical, well-organized storage spot in my kitchen. Thanks to my mom’s advice, I no longer overlook the top of my fridge and instead use it to keep my kitchen tidy and functional. Sometimes the best storage solutions are the ones hiding in plain sight—and that cupboard above the refrigerator is the perfect example.
