11 Clever Ideas For What To Do With The Awkward Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
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A Good Housekeeping report outlines 11 ways to use the often-unused space above kitchen cabinets, combining display ideas with storage for items used infrequently. Options include baskets, artwork, cookbooks, plants and built-in cubbies; the report does not provide cost estimates or project measurements.

Good Housekeeping has outlined 11 ways to use the space above kitchen cabinets, an area that can be difficult to reach but may offer room for infrequently used storage or decorative displays. The suggestions range from baskets and food containers to artwork, houseplants and built-in cubbies, giving homeowners options based on whether they prioritize function or appearance, alongside other small kitchen design ideas.

The report recommends using wicker baskets to hold backup pantry items or hide objects such as small appliances and seasonal dish towels. Its guidance is to reserve the area for supplies that are not needed regularly, rather than items people must reach during everyday cooking. It also suggests placing ingredients such as flour, sugar and grains in attractive storage jars, and using divided cubbies for unopened spices or boxes of pasta.

For a display-focused approach, the list includes leaning artwork, arranging vases or sculptures, and showing cookbooks on open shelving. The report cautions that cookbooks placed high are better treated as decor because retrieving them regularly may be difficult. Other suggestions include adding houseplants where the area receives suitable light, layering smaller decorative objects, and bringing in natural textures such as rattan, wicker or pampas grass.

The ideas can be mixed, but the practical limits differ. Baskets can conceal stored items, while visible jars and decorative pieces make the area part of the kitchen’s overall look. The report also notes a design option of adding dividers to create cubbies and says a statement light fixture can draw attention upward. It does not give installation instructions or confirm that every cabinet layout can accommodate these changes.

At a glance
reportWhen: Published in a Good Housekeeping home a…
The developmentGood Housekeeping published a list of 11 ideas for decorating or storing items in the space above kitchen cabinets.

Storage and Style Above Cabinets

The space can help keep countertops and frequently used cabinets available for daily tasks, particularly when it holds backup supplies or seasonal items. It also offers a place for decorative objects in kitchens where counter space is needed for food preparation. Choosing between open display and concealed storage affects both the look of the room and how easily items can be cleaned or reached.

Because the area is often high and exposed, it is better suited to objects that are used only occasionally than to everyday ingredients or equipment. Homeowners should weigh access, dust and the fit of their cabinets before treating the space as extra storage.

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Eleven Uses for an Overlooked Gap

The Good Housekeeping article presents the ideas as a mix of practical storage and styling rather than a single renovation plan. Its examples include baskets for concealing clutter, jars for dry ingredients, open shelving for cookbooks, and cubbies for backup goods. Display options include art, vases, sculptures, greenery and small decorative groupings.

The report attributes its ideas to pictured kitchens and design examples, including work credited to Proem Studio and designer Jenn Feldman. It does not report a survey, product test or measured impact on storage capacity. The recommendations are therefore best understood as inspiration and practical suggestions, not as findings that every option suits every home.

““It’s more about decor,” the report says of cookbooks displayed above cabinets, adding that they may be “too difficult to pull them down on a regular basis.””

— Good Housekeeping report

Fit, Access and Care Vary

The supplied report does not specify cabinet clearances, weight limits, installation costs or the time needed to build cubbies. It also does not assess how well individual ideas work in kitchens with low ceilings, limited light or hard-to-clean surfaces. Whether food containers are suitable for a particular space depends on their closure and the kitchen conditions; the article does not offer food-storage safety guidance.

It is also unclear from the supplied material when the article was published. The recommendations are not presented as tested solutions, and the report does not compare their costs or storage capacity.

Choose an Idea for Your Kitchen

The report offers no scheduled follow-up or product launch. Readers considering its suggestions can start by deciding whether the area is for display or occasional storage, then check how safely and easily they can reach it. Before adding built-in dividers or heavy objects, they may need to confirm that the cabinet structure and available clearance can support the plan.

For pantry use, reserve the space for backup items rather than supplies needed each day. For decor, keep the arrangement suited to the light and cleaning demands of the kitchen. The source provides ideas, but homeowners will need to judge which choices fit their own layout.

Key Questions

What are practical items to store above kitchen cabinets?

The report suggests backup pantry goods, unopened spices and pasta, along with infrequently used small appliances or seasonal dish towels stored in baskets.

Can cookbooks go above kitchen cabinets?

Yes, as a display, according to the report. It cautions that books placed high may be difficult to retrieve regularly, so the spot may not suit frequently used cookbooks.

What can make the space look more decorative?

Ideas include artwork, vases, sculptures, houseplants and small decor, as well as natural textures such as wicker and rattan. Light and access vary by kitchen.

Does the report give installation or safety instructions?

No. The supplied article offers suggestions but does not specify weight limits, measurements or installation steps. Those details depend on the cabinets and the planned use.

Source: rss

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