There is a gap above almost every refrigerator: 30, 40, sometimes 60 centimeters of air up to the upper cabinet or ceiling. In many kitchens, this strip remains empty for years or gathers dust under a few forgotten cans. This can be done Use the space above the refrigerator – and surprisingly versatile, without any renovation and usually also as a tenant. Whether additional storage space, a pretty decorative surface or a wine rack as an eye-catcher: Here you get concrete ideas and, what most guides forget, the crucial safety check in advance.
In short
- Safety first – Check the recommended upward distance before closing the area.
- Wardrobe – Ideal for rarely used devices and supplies, opaque and tidy.
- Open shelf & decoration – A board or two for plants, cookbooks and pretty pieces.
- Wine Rack & Baskets – An eye-catcher or opaque storage space for small items.
Check first: Does your refrigerator need clearance at the top?
Before you drill the first shelf, take a look at the operating instructions. A refrigerator gives off heat, and many devices need a defined distance to do this – to the back, to the side and sometimes even upwards. Manufacturers specify a minimum distance so that the air can circulate and the compressor does not work against its own waste heat.
This is particularly relevant for two groups: built-in refrigerators that are in a niche, and older devices with ventilation slots or condensers at the top or back. If the value is not in the instructions, use a hand’s width of air as a guide and do not place anything directly flush on the device that would obscure the ventilation. A blocked refrigerator runs hotter, uses more electricity and ages faster. This five minute test will save you trouble later.
Built-in wardrobe or double wardrobe: The classic
The tidiest solution is a closed cupboard. It records exactly what you don’t need and don’t want to see every day. Waffle iron, stand mixer, hand mixer, hand blender – such devices are used perhaps once a month and otherwise take up valuable space in the lower, easily accessible cupboards.
If your refrigerator niche reaches to the ceiling, a double cabinet, i.e. two compartments on top of each other, is worth it. Things that are rarely used go into the top and the handle area for everyday use goes into the bottom. The rule of thumb remains important: Anything you use several times a week doesn’t belong at the top. If you are interested in the heights and dimensions of kitchen cabinets, you will find guidance in our article on the correct height for tall cabinets in the kitchen.
Pantry instead of pantry
If you lack a pantry, the upper cabinet takes on its role. Flour, pasta, rice, breadcrumbs, oil and vinegar are stored here in a dry and dark place. A trick from the editors: pour dry goods into uniform jars. Not only does it look better, you can also see at a glance when the rice is running low – and on the open shelf the glasses even become decoration.
Open shelf: one or two boards for more flexibility
Not everyone likes a massive cabinet above the refrigerator. An open shelf appears lighter and makes the kitchen appear larger. Even a single board creates a shelf; two boards on top of each other double the surface area and separate the useful from the decorative.
When it comes to material, style decides. Solid oak or pine wood suits Scandinavian and country kitchens, while slim metal shelves suit modern, industrial spaces. Pay attention to the load-bearing capacity: Open boards only hold as much as the bracket and dowel allow in the respective wall type. Distribute heavy storage jars evenly and, if in doubt, take the manufacturer’s information about the load seriously.
The beauty of the open shelf is its versatility: today cookbooks and herb pots, tomorrow a small picture gallery. Herb pots, a vase with a dried bouquet, framed photos or a larger design picture, a retro kitchen appliance as a splash of color, a tray leaning against the wall, a canvas, beautiful dishes or a small spice collection are suitable for the area. One or two pieces often appear calmer than a full board.
Wine rack above the refrigerator: an eye-catcher
If you want to fill the strip under the ceiling not only practically but also stylishly, use the wine rack. A diagonally roughened grid in which the bottles lie slightly at an angle looks lively and high-quality – and fits surprisingly flexibly into modern, classic and country house interiors.
You don’t have to fill the compartments to the brim. A few bottles, loosely distributed, often look more relaxed than a completely full shelf. This keeps the look airy and you can add to the inventory at any time. However, the warm zone above the refrigerator is only of limited use as a location for drinking wine every day – it is perfect for the beautiful look and a few sturdy bottles.
Baskets and boxes: decorative and opaque at the same time
Sometimes you just want the space to absorb small things without being seen. This is exactly where baskets and boxes come into their own. A woven rattan basket or a simple metal box can store rarely used devices, cleaning supplies or spare utensils and appear decorative instead of chaotic.
Baskets also work as open zones: a fruit basket on top or a basket for drinks bottles replaces the overcrowded lower cupboard or the box left in the hallway. From a practical point of view, this is a clever cabinet hack for storing technology and everyday stuff – just as clever as our approach of making technology disappear behind a cabinet. Choose the height of the basket so that you can comfortably reach into it without climbing.
Use the top of the refrigerator directly as a shelf
The quickest way requires no accessories at all: the top of the refrigerator is itself a shelf. Appliances that you don’t use every day are in good hands here – the microwave, a compact coffee machine or the kitchen robot. In small kitchens, this noticeably frees up the worktop.
A stool within easy reach makes the height suitable for everyday use so that you can also reach the furthest device. When setting up, think about the cable routing and that the surface is exposed to the refrigerator’s waste heat – heat-sensitive electronics belong somewhere else. For more clever solutions for hidden storage space, it’s worth taking a look at how storage space can be cleverly hidden in the closet.
Cupboard, shelf or baskets? The decision-making aid
Which solution is right depends primarily on three questions: How much space do you have upstairs, do you rent or own your property, and do you want to store or decorate?
- Small kitchen, lots of stuff: A closed cabinet or opaque baskets keep the look calm and create the most usable storage space.
- Tenants who don’t want to drill: Baskets directly on the top or a single shelf with a few dowels remain uncomplicated and leave little residue.
- Decoration in the foreground: Open shelves or wine racks add an accent – ideal if the surface is clearly visible at eye level.
- Full ceiling height: A double cupboard uses every centimeter, everyday life at the bottom and rarely used items at the top.
You don’t have to commit to anything: a cupboard with a narrow shelf on top or baskets next to a plant combine order and appearance. If you are looking for more suggestions, you will always find more kitchen ideas and inspiration from us.
Pro tips
- Check load capacity: Match the shelf brackets and dowels to the type of wall and distribute heavy glasses evenly.
- Note handle height: Do not put heavy utensils or utensils that are used every day at the top – this saves climbing and accidents.
- Rotate decoration: Swapping two or three pieces seasonally seems fresher than a permanently cluttered board.
- Keep ventilation free: Do not place the recommended distance above the device, otherwise power consumption will increase.
The strip above the refrigerator is rarely ideal, but it is almost always usable. A quick look at the instructions, then the decision between cabinet, shelf, wine rack and baskets – and the blind spot becomes additional storage space or a small stage for beautiful things. Start with a solution that fits your everyday life; You can retrofit at any time.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does a refrigerator need at the top?
This is specified by the manufacturer and stated in the operating instructions. As a rough guide, there is at least a hand’s breadth for air circulation. For built-in devices and models with ventilation slots at the top or back, you should definitely look up the exact value and not set it flush.
What is the best thing to store above the fridge?
Everything you rarely need: waffle irons, mixers and similar devices, supplies such as flour, pasta or rice, and seasonal items. Utensils that are used every day, however, belong in easily accessible cupboards further down.
Is it safe to put the microwave on top of the fridge?
Basically yes, as long as the ventilation of the refrigerator remains free and the storage surface is stable and level. Make sure that the cables are routed securely and that you can easily reach the device – if necessary with a stool.
Which material is suitable for an open shelf above the refrigerator?
Solid wood such as oak or pine suits Scandinavian and country house kitchens, while slim metal shelves suit modern rooms. In addition to the appearance, the load-bearing capacity of the holder is crucial – heavy glasses or devices require stable consoles and suitable dowels.