Storage Above Fridge Ideas: How to Make It Look Good

Ever look up at the fridge and wonder what to do with the empty space above it? With a little innovation and effort, that space may be transformed into a useful storage area, freeing up crucial kitchen real estate. With these ten fantastic above-the-fridge storage ideas, you’ll soon be living large!

above fridge storage — Image credit: @unsplash.com

What Should I Do With The Space Above My Fridge?

The space above the refrigerator is frequently disregarded, but with a little imagination, it may become a useful storage solution. Instead of leaving it empty, use this vertical space creatively to organize. From wire shelves to mini-fridges, there are numerous ways to make the most of this neglected space.

The Above The Fridge Storage Ideas

Utilize Wire Shelving For Small Appliances

Wire shelving is a great alternative for storing items above the refrigerator. It offers a robust and versatile platform for storing small kitchen gadgets like blenders, food processors, and air fryers. This keeps your countertops clutter-free and these products within easy reach.

When installing wire shelves, measure carefully and fasten them along studs, or use hollow drywall anchors if necessary. Use the rear wall for support as well. Secure appliances on open shelves using cords, outlet strips with built-in cord wrapping, or non-slip lining.

Install A Paper Towel Holder

Install a paper towel holder directly above the fridge. Choose a location where you can easily grab sheets with one hand. Install the holder securely through the drywall to the wall studs, or use hollow wall anchors if required.

When placed within arm’s reach above the fridge, a paper towel roll is always ready to clean up spills, handle hot dishes, and do other kitchen tasks. You won’t have to run across the entire kitchen to get the paper towels. This small addition makes good use of previously disregarded space.

Use Bins And Baskets For Food Storage

Store non-perishable food items in bins and baskets, such as canned goods, pasta, and snacks. These containers not only keep your above-fridge storage organized but also add a decorative touch to your kitchen. Clear containers provide simple visibility, while weaved baskets add rustic beauty.

Add A Mini-Fridge

Mini-fridges built for business use, college dorms, or bars work well on top of the fridge. Secure the fridge to the wall studs with brackets or a prefabricated shelf with guardrails. This is ideal for storing beverages, snacks, or leftover things from your main refrigerator. It’s a practical choice for families with limited fridge space or those who entertain frequently.

Use Racks And Shelves For Frequently Used Items

Install racks or shelves above the fridge to store commonly used products like spices, oils, spice racks, pot lid organizers, and culinary tools. This keeps them within easy reach, making cooking more efficient. Choose adjustable shelves to accommodate a variety of item sizes.

Designate Space For Kids’ Snacks

If you have children, try setting aside a spot above the refrigerator for their snacks. Install wall mounts such as bins, baskets, or cubbies that are specifically designed to fit the limited space on top of the refrigerator. Select sturdy containers that organize a variety of snack items such as nutrition bars, crackers, popcorn packs, juice pouches, and more.

Clear plastic bins allow children to quickly see what snacks are available, while colorful bins help to distinguish separate storage locations. Keep unhealthy or special snacks out of reach so kids have to ask you for them. Mounts that are securely attached help to prevent messy spillage.

Install Utensil Hooks Or Pegs

Install hooks above the fridge to hang cooking items and clear out your rubbish drawers. Choose sturdy hooks that can withstand the weight of metal spoons and spears. Consider cup hooks, metal utility hooks, and durable wooden holders.

Hooks and pegs should be mounted somewhere conveniently accessible, away from appliances and electrical outlets. Hooks should be spaced out adequately to allow different tool sizes. Keep things in order so that you can easily find what you need.

Store Cutting Boards Upright

Rather than stacking cutting boards in a cupboard or drawer, keep them upright over the refrigerator. Position the upright boards close enough that you can grab them without having to reach far, but make sure the racks are properly anchored into the studs to handle the weight. Keep your most used boards holstered above and even display beautiful wooden carved boards like kitchen art. You may also use it to organize your baking tins.

Use Hanging Racks For Foil And Wrap

Hanging racks mounted over the fridge will help you keep your foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper in order. Select long-lasting hardware and panels meant to be mounted on cabinet space above appliances. Choose racks with hooks, rods, or tiered shelves for neatly rolling and dispensing foil boxes and wax paper. This ensures they’re always within reach when you need them for cooking or food storage.

Add Shallow Cabinetry For Household Essentials

Slimline cabinets can transform an inconvenient location into useful hidden storage. When cupboard space is limited, use sturdy, shallow cabinets with doors to store excess items that would otherwise overwhelm your countertops.

The built-in organization conveniently stores everyday condiments, oils, and spices near the cooking area. Custom storage bins have spots ready for the can’t-live-without baking pans, gloves, and tools of the trade.

Things You Should Never Store on Top of the Fridge

While the above fridge storage offers convenience, there are certain items you should avoid storing in this area:

Smaller Kitchen Appliances

A standard fridge can support more than 40 pounds on top of it. Avoid storing small appliances like coffee makers or toasters above the refrigerator to prevent them from being dropped and damaged. Keeping them up there also makes it more likely that they’ll be plugged into the same outlet as the fridge, which can overload the circuit.

Cereal Boxes

Cereal boxes can block the appliance’s ventilation and become more accessible to pests when left out in the open. Also, mice frequently eat grains, and those thin cereal boxes are very easy for a mouse to access. For cereal storage, consider getting airtight containers that are mouse-proof, such as this set from Chef’s Path.

Medications

To keep drugs effective, it is important to store them as directed on the label. Storing medications above a fridge exposes them to heat and moisture, which may reduce their effectiveness. Instead, store drugs in a cupboard away from heat sources.

Breakable Kitchen Items

Avoid placing fragile objects, such as glassware or ceramics, above the refrigerator since they may fall and break. Every time the refrigerator opens and closes, the objects on top may shift. With enough movement and the help of gravity, these serving pieces can come crashing down, causing damage, bodily injury, or both.

Paper in Its Many Forms

Storing a large number of paper products, particularly heavier ones such as books, reduces the airflow required for the fridge to function properly. Less ventilation causes the fridge to take more electricity to keep your food cold, which increases your power cost. Furthermore, loose, lightweight sheets of paper are prone to slipping off and becoming lost behind the fridge.

Houseplants

The lack of natural light and potential exposure to heat render the space above the refrigerator unsuitable for houseplants. Also, it’s a pain to water plants that are sitting on top of the fridge. You probably will have to move the plant to the sink to water it because they are hard to get to and it’s easy to splash and spill. Since you have to do this extra step, you will water these plants less often, which will make them look and be less healthy.

Wine or Liquor

Keep liquids away from the refrigerator at all costs. Wine and liquor are typically packaged in unforgiving glass bottles, and when they shatter, the fragmented glass and liquid create hazards in the kitchen. Fluid from shattered or leaking bottles might accumulate behind the refrigerator or seep into electrical components. Do yourself a favor and reduce the risks by keeping these bottles in a different location.

Potatoes, Onions, and Other Produce

Potatoes require a cool, dark environment, which is not what you find above the refrigerator. And other foods, like garlic and onions, require a spot with good air circulation, like an open basket on the kitchen counter. Properly storing your fresh items will prevent spoiling and extend the life of your produce.

Cleaning Products

Keeping household cleansers out of reach of children is always a good idea. However, the top of the fridge is unsuitable for storing cleaning products. It is crucial to store corrosive goods, like drain cleaners or oven cleaners, in areas that are dry, well-ventilated, and out of reach of youngsters, as they pose substantial risks.

Bread and Other Baked Goods

The heat and moisture from the refrigerator can cause bread and baked items to get stale or moldy faster. To keep your bread fresher for longer, avoid placing it on top of the fridge. The warmth from the fridge’s ventilation system provides an ideal setting for mold to grow on bagged bread. Instead, store the bread somewhere cool and dry.

Tips for Above Fridge Storage

Measure carefully to determine the exact dimensions of your available above-fridge space.
Stick with lightweight items to prevent tipping risks. Avoid overloaded heavy objects.
Allow for some airflow space so heat can dissipate and refrigeration systems don’t get disrupted.
Incorporate door racks, trays and bins inside cabinetry for dividing and organizing items.
Opt for child safety locks to keep cabinets securely closed and prevent accidental falls.
Include lighting, like LED strips or puck lights, for visibility since it’s a dark zone.

Add stylish and functional storage space above your fridge. You’ll love being able to utilize the convenience of this often overlooked spot in your kitchen.

FAQs about Above Fridge Storage

What do I do with the space above my fridge?

Add thick shelves for cookbooks.
Custom shelving for cookbooks and wine.
Remove cabinet doors and add beadboard.
Store your mixer and pair it with a plant.
Customize a wine rack.
Add custom cubbies for stylish bakeware.

Can you store stuff on top of fridge?

The side walls and the top of the refrigerator tend to be warmer than the front doors. This is because of the refrigeration cycle and circulation. Excess heat is released on the top and it is therefore not advised to keep something over the refrigerator.

How do I organize the top of my fridge?

Jars. I’ve learned that another way to better organize the top of your fridge is to use jars. For instance, I love jasmine rice so much that I purchased a five-pound bag of the stuff. But I had to put it all somewhere, and the sack looked unsightly on top of my fridge.

Do you need a gap above fridge?

“We generally recommend allowing at least 5cm on each side, 10cm on top and 5cm at the rear,” says Ashley. But each manufacturer has different recommended ‘clearance’ (surrounding) spaces for their fridges.