8 Smart Ways to Use the Space Above Your Refrigerator

There are parts of a home that are easy to forget about, like the back of your closet or the space above your refrigerator. However, that extra bit of real estate on top of your fridge can go a long way—if you know how to use it.

From vase displays to coffee bars, there are numerous ways to transform this often-neglected area into a delightful moment. Read on for eight clever ideas that experts recommend for a little extra storage.

Make a Coffee Bar (or a Regular One)

Don’t have space for a wet bar or coffee station? You can always access your favorite beverages from the top of the fridge.

“Use decorative bins to store coffee supplies, tea tins, or cocktail goodies,” says Jamie Milne, recipe developer and founder of Everything Delish. “This turns the space into a little extension of your bar or morning routine corner.”

And if you enjoy entertaining, you can turn the space into a mini bar by displaying bottles, cocktail mixers, or sparkling water in clear boxes. “It’s an easy way to make the space both functional and eye-catching,” Milne adds.

Keep Things Out of Reach

Professional organizer MaryJo Monroe’s clients enjoy using the top of a fridge as a keep-out-of-reach space for children. This can include candy, alcohol, or other items you don’t want kids to be able to access.

Smaller items like candy can easily be corralled together into a decorative basket to keep them looking tidy, Monroe says. “If you don’t want those things to be very visible, then choose a basket, bin, or box that’s the same color as your fridge or cabinetry.”

Curate a Cookbook Library

Create a handy library by styling the spot above your fridge with your go-to cookbooks, “or even baskets that hold recipe cards, aprons, or table linens,” Milne says.

“It’s easy access when you’re cooking, and it doubles as décor,” she adds. “When it comes to kitchen storage, I’m all about functionality, and keeping the things you use most within reach.”

Display Tall Items

This surface can be used to create a mini vignette where you can display tall pottery and other trinkets.

“A cool vase with a mini frame painting can look chic,” says interior designer Brittny Button. “Keep in mind it’s warmer from the heat of the running fridge. So candles, or anything that melts, aren’t the best choice.”

Create a To-Be-Recycled Area

Have schoolwork, artwork, or coloring pages piling up? Sort through and keep your favorites, and place a nondescript bowl or bag on top of your fridge to hold the papers you don’t plan on keeping. Monroe used this technique with her son.

“If my son didn’t ask for the piece of artwork or schoolwork after three months, I threw the whole bag in the recycling can,” she says. “This way, I avoided the daily power struggle with my son over every single piece of paper he brought home.”

Store Oversized Items

Whether a large fan or jumbo serving bowls for pasta and salads—big things can be a hassle to store. Fortunately, the top of a fridge can solve your woes, as long as you stow them with intention.

“I have three larger bowls [that] I’ve placed above the fridge as they’re rarely used,” Button says. “I still style them to look curated, and I ensure that the bowl in the back is placed on something higher to create a triangle with height differentiation.”

Dry Herbs and Vegetables

If you need to leave produce out to dry for several days, you can use the refrigerator’s top as a drying spot, taking advantage of the appliance’s heat and airflow.

Place them on a sheet of paper in a basket tray or on a sheet pan on top of the fridge in a single layer, and cover them with a paper towel or tea towel to dry before putting them into long-term storage, Monroe says.

Protect China

Delicate serving trays or antique china that won’t fit into your cabinets aren’t a lost cause. If you have open shelving above your refrigerator, this is the perfect place to keep them on display in an area that is rarely disturbed. No shelves? You can also use baskets, and, as Monroe recommends, wrap china pieces in a towel for protection and stash them on top of your fridge.