Ask Unclutterer: Design ideas for odd space above kitchen cabinets
Reader Bonnie submitted the following to Ask Unclutterer:
I’m facing a bit of a dilemma. I have about a foot, maybe a foot-and-a-half of space between my kitchen cabinet tops and the ceiling. It’s a space that accumulates dust, dog hair, dead bugs, and who knows what, in addition to the random (unsightly) bits and pieces that get shoved up there when we don’t have space for them elsewhere. Well, I finally cleaned and reorganized my kitchen, but I’m now at a loss for what to do with that space. Because I’m fairly short and that space is a magnet for dust and crud, I don’t want to use it for storage or anything that would involve me having to clean it more than once a year (like fake plants, which I’ve seen in a LOT of places). Do you know of any (hopefully attractive) way to use, decorate, or close off this space? Help!
My friend Scott recently collected more than 600 pairs of jeans to be recycled into insulation for a Habitat for Humanity home, and he used that space above his cabinets to store the first couple hundred pairs he collected. When I saw the pictures of his jeans-clad kitchen, I honestly thought to myself, “That’s the best use of that weird space I’ve ever seen.”
The awkward open space usually exists above kitchen cabinets because the cabinets aren’t custom made for your kitchen. The pre-fabricated cabinets you have don’t consider your room’s ceiling height, and were installed to be convenient to reach (resulting in the gap between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling). The cabinets you have were likely thousands of dollars less expensive than custom cabinets, though, which is why you see this problem so often in homes across the U.S. The gap saved your home’s builder a few grand in building costs.
If money grows on trees on your property and you own your home, I recommend paying to have new cabinets installed. Remodel your kitchen using custom cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling (and get yourself a stylish step stool so you can reach the high storage easily.
If you’re a renter or not swimming in dough (like me!), you’re probably searching for less expensive and less permanent options. Here are some ideas:
- Dry wall. If you own your place, consider creating a false bolster. Install the dry wall, mud it, sand it, paint it, and make it look like your cabinets simply go as far up the wall as they can.
- Glass blocks. If you rent, stack glass blocks to create a false wall up there. You won’t have to dust or clean the space behind the glass blocks until you move out, and you can easily clean the blocks once a year with window cleaner.
- Other building materials. If glass blocks don’t match your kitchen’s decor, find another building material that does and install it instead. Bead board, fake bricks, and wood paneling come to mind as options — just be sure to attach a small wood strip to your ceiling so the new wall material has something to attach to for warping prevention.
- Nothing. Just resolve that crud is going to collect up there all year, and clean it off every spring. As long as you’re not storing anything up there, you don’t have to worry so much about whatever is collecting. Find a way to be at peace with this space.
Check the comments for even more ideas from our readers. I wish you luck on your home-improvement journey, and be sure to e-mail me with before and after pictures so I can see what you decided to do. Thank you, Bonnie, for submitting your question for our Ask Unclutterer column.
Do you have a question relating to organizing, cleaning, home and office projects, productivity, or any problems you think the Unclutterer team could help you solve? To submit your questions to Ask Unclutterer, go to our contact page and type your question in the content field. Please list the subject of your e-mail as “Ask Unclutterer.” If you feel comfortable sharing images of the spaces that trouble you, let us know about them. The more information we have about your specific issue, the better.
75 comments posted
Posted by Dee - 10/08/2010
I have the same problem. Right now I have kitchen-ish items up there – mostly things that were passed down to me from my grandparents – like teapots, pitchers, platters, etc. I like to see them and think of my family and they only need to be cleaned once or twice a year. A couple of other ideas are big baskets or white platters/pitchers/serving pieces.
Posted by kmsqrd - 10/08/2010
I leave that space open as a hide-away for the cats. I line the tops with old towels and change them out every couple of months. There’s the added bonus of Annabelle’s greeting when I come in. It’s not overly hygienic; but, I don’t actually use my kitchen for food prep.
Posted by chrisbean - 10/08/2010
I’m not tall (5’5″), but I *USE* that space. It doesn’t collect random kitchen crap; it’s an important part of our space-planning.
I store things like my cakekeeper, large cookie trays, cupcake pans, teak serving trays, springform cheesecake pans, etc. on top of my cabinets. (I bake frequently, these items are not clutter in my world!) I put them upside-down so that dust and grease doesn’t get onto the food surface. It’s an incredible boon to storage space — especially since my tight, tiny galley kitchen is about 8×3 feet, including the cabinets.
The longer, larger items like trays hang over the front edge of the cabinets by about half a foot, so I can reach up, grab the edge, and tug down. The smaller items are accessed occasionally enough (I don’t bake a weekly cheesecake) that I don’t mind grabbing a stepstool to bring them down as needed.
Posted by Paola - 10/08/2010
My mother solved the problem by putting newspapers up there, to collect dust and greasy fumes from the kitchen, so that it’s a LOT easier to clean it from time to time: you only need to get rid of the old newspapers and put on some new ones!
From the bottom the newspapers are invisible because the top of the cabinet has a sort of hanging wooden frame, perfect for keeping the newspapers in place (along with some stuff that she uses only one or two times a year like the huge earthenware dishes for serving couscous…). Hope it helps!
Posted by Sooz - 10/08/2010
We go with the “nothing” solution at our home. It’s empty and visually refreshing in not drawing attention to itself. Also, our ceilings are high enough that it literally requires a ladder, not a step-stool, for us to reach up there.
I know people hate to waste space, but to me some space is so inaccessible that it’s not worth it. And the older one gets, the less appealing (and the less safe!) it is to get up on a ladder to reach those cabinet-top spaces. In my home, accessing that space represents an accident waiting to happen.
Posted by Ben - 10/08/2010
I’d really advise against the glass block idea because they are very heavy! Depending how well your cabinets are secured to the wall, it could cause issues (especially with cheaper ones in rental units).
There are lighter/thinner options though made from acrylic.
Posted by cammy - 10/08/2010
I leave the space empty. There’s shelf paper on top of the cabinets–once a year I throw it out and put up new paper, which makes cleaning up there pretty simple. Anything I put up there would need to be cleaned at some point and I’m just not that fond of housework. It’s not an area I feel the need to draw attention to by decorating it. Sometimes it’s fine to just have a bit of empty space. (And I’m lucky that this apartment has a pantry, so for once, I actually have more kitchen storage than I need.)
One friend had a carpenter enclose the space with dry wall. Two sections of the dry wall can be removed, so there’s a secret storage space behind it. She stores her silver and other valuables there when she’s away. There’s some molding that sections the wall into panels, so you really can’t tell that parts can be removed.
If you really need to use the space for storage, I’d find some attractive covered bins or baskets to use–that way, you’d eventually have to clean the container, but the contents would stay ready to use.
If you need a good step stool in your kitchen, you can now buy those two-step, round library kick stools, which are great. You can roll them where you want, and the wheels disappear when you step on them. Because they have two steps, they can get you to higher places than a basic 6″ step stool.
Posted by Maria - 10/08/2010
I have much more space over my closets since my flat has very high ceilings but the problem is similar. First, I cover the closets with newspaper sheets, so that it is easier to clean. I just have put an old mini-stereo up there (with remote control) so that I can hear radio while cooking. It saves valuable working surface. I also have a tea pot, which is beautiful but I never use, and some liqueur bottles. Maybe decorations, which you can throw in the dishwasher every now and then might be practical.
@Erin: I follow your blog for a long time and I love it, thank you!
Posted by Adam - 10/08/2010
I don’t personally have this issue in our kitchen, but I’ve heard of people putting diffuse lighting on top of the cabinets to add a soft glow in contrast spot lighting in work areas.
Posted by Elizabeth H. - 10/08/2010
I made curtains to hang up there. I used cup hooks and kitchen twine to hang the curtains from. (I’m a renter) It’s amazing how well the curtains keep the dust/crud out of that space. They don’t do much about the bugs, however……
Posted by *pol - 10/08/2010
I can’t believe I never thought of putting paper up there! That has to make it easier to clean. I know what I’m doing this morning now.
Posted by Elena - 10/08/2010
I rent so I can’t make any structural changes and that space is currently empty. However, when the owner redid the kitchen she had that space wired for back lighting with the same lights as the undercabinet space and they all turn on at the same time. While it could be viewed as a waste of electricity, when I’m in the kitchen it’s all lit up there and looks interesting.
Posted by Amanda - 10/08/2010
@Elizabeth H.: cup hooks! Brilliant! I live in an apartment, and NEED to use that space for storage, but I hate that everyone can see it. I’ve been trying to figure out how to hang up curtains, but couldn’t come up with anything. But cup hooks are perfect! Thank you!
Posted by Nithy - 10/08/2010
I keep framed certificates up there. That way, they’re on display, but not so close you can see how dusty they can get.
Posted by Adventure-Some Matthew - 10/08/2010
As an apartment renter, I dare not spend any money to do any construction. So I use the space for decorative storage.
My small collection of beer steins (that I inherited from Dad) lives on top of the cabinets on one side of the kitchen. This way they’re visible, but not in the way. Having only a few makes them easy to clean, but still not something I’d want to do more than a couple of times a year.
The other side of the kitchen holds the pitcher/vase that I use to hold flowers on the dining table. Since it’s not always in use, it’s nice to have an out-of-the way place to store it. I like its shape, however, and so like being able to display it.
When the flower vase is not in use, the candle bowl (dunno how else to describe it) stays on the table. Otherwise they switch places.
The
Posted by Ang - 10/08/2010
I use that space for vases and seasonal platters – things I don’t need to reach for often, but they take up space in the cabinets that I need for more useful items. Now, if someone bought me flowers more often, perhaps I’d use the vases more!
Posted by Rob O. - 10/08/2010
Our new place has soffits that extend down to the tops of the cabinets so we’re spared this problem. But at our old place, we had the very same situation with the large gap above the cabinets.
We spaced about 10 simple tealight candleholders up there and would light the candles when company was coming. The tealights were extremely cheap, small enough to be unseen, didn’t put off enough heat or have high flames to catch anything afire, and cast such an awesome glow all evening long. I’ve seen others do something very similar with LED rope lighting.
Posted by chacha1 - 10/08/2010
So glad my kitchen doesn’t have this issue. Our cabinets are badly built, but at least they go all the way to the ceiling.
I think the curtain solution is a good one, and if combined with newspaper could really go a long way to making it easier to keep the space clean.
Posted by penguinlady - 10/08/2010
Like Maria, I use that space for speakers for my MP3 player. I hide the wires going up to the speakers behind a spice rack. Being in the kitchen is so much more fun when I’ve got the “Glee” soundtrack busting out around me.
Posted by ms dwk - 10/08/2010
My problem is that I have a vaulted ceiling in my living room/kitchen. On one wall, the cabinets are flush with the ceiling, but on the adjoining wall, it starts out flush at the corner and the gap grows from there! I collect Holstein cows, so I have a couple of larger ones up there along with an antique tea pot. It looks nice, without looking cluttered and I don’t have to worry about cleaning it very often. I do love the idea of lining the top of the shelf! I intend to throw a couple of old towels on top of the cabinet the next time I do clean up there.
Posted by Jeni - 10/08/2010
I use that space for storing things that don’t fit easily into the cabinets themselves – everything from my 60s-era popcorn popper to cast iron dutch ovens to camping cookware. Most of these things get used several times a year, so they never really get dirty. I cleaned it thoroughly when I moved in, lined the area, and I rinse the pieces when I pull them down. As an added bonus, since a lot of it is vintage (or vintage looking), it works as decoration.
Posted by Kevin Miller - 10/08/2010
Long-time reader, first-time commenter… we’ve put my wife’s large collection of wine and martini glasses up there. They still get dusty, but not to the point that we need to worry about them. We also have decorative lights placed under them, which when turned on create an awesome lighting effect on the ceiling.
Long story short: think of something decorative.
Posted by Beth - 10/08/2010
I thought this post from Young House Love was good –covering the same issue. My favorite is to add molding to the top of the cabinet so it doesn’t end so abruptly. This usally ends up requiring you to paint the cabinets too.
http://www.younghouselove.com/.....conundrum/
Posted by WilliamB - 10/08/2010
I put odd decorative items up there: 7 gallon glass jar, baskets from travel, g’gma’s wooden butter-making bowl and butter press, samovars, etc. No one can tell how dirty it gets up there so it doesn’t matter that I don’t clean it.
As it happens I just cleaned the spot – perfect time to line with paper.
Posted by Beth - 10/08/2010
This is the molding idea: http://www.younghouselove.com/.....ighten-up/
Posted by T - 10/08/2010
It’s not pretty, but that space stores our returnable soda bottles and boxes of rarely used items (like paper plates for parties).
Posted by janet - 10/08/2010
one thing I would do is get some of that velcro where one side glues and the other is for sewing. Put the glue side on the top of the cabinets and the sewing side onto pieces of fabric to fit the topside of the cabinet. Once a year or once a month you can rip off the fabric and run it through the washer. I think this would be a way to keep it clean as that seems to be the concern. And if the configuration is possible you could put jars, vases etc set on top and run them through the dishwasher whenever you wash the fabric. you might even be able to use oil cloth or vinyl in place of the fabric.
Posted by sunny - 10/08/2010
I have this issue and I got some of the decrotive boxes that IKEA has that are cheap and fit perfectly. I put some Christmas decoration in there and sometimes winter clothes.
The boxes are like these pictured.
http://www.kaboodle.com/review.....kets-lingo
Posted by JL - 10/08/2010
I use that space for vases — we actually have custom cabinets that the previous owner installed, but because of the wonky ceiling (stairs cut into the space), they don’t go full height. So I park my vases up there so that they’re out of the way, but still reachable if needed.
Posted by Stephanie - 10/08/2010
In one rental apartment I filled the space with plastic storage totes of things I didn’t have room for and then covered it all with a curtain. I used a valance since it was the right size and required no sewing.
Posted by Anita - 10/08/2010
I rent too, yet I’ve never had a kitchen with space above the kitchen cabinets.
If I did, though, I’d definitely use it for storage of vases (out of cats’ reach!) and seldom used serving and cooking implements. Put them in nice boxes, and they’ll even be decorative.
Posted by Claire - 10/08/2010
We also have this gap between our cupboards and ceiling. We renovated our kitchen 6 years ago and very unfortunately did not think to build the cabinets to the ceiling. I used to display decorative baskets, vases, bottles, etc. up there but because it requires the 8′ ladder to get up there everything was always covered in dust. Where we live our a/c ducts are in the ceiling so when the a/c or heat kicks in it blows right over all that dusty space in the kitchen. Yuck! Occasionally our cat gets up there and runs back and forth stirring up tons of dust. I have dust allergies and hate this space! We are finally budgeting to retrofit matching cupboards in this space that will go to the ceiling. Wish we’d thought of that 6 years ago!
Posted by priest's wife - 10/08/2010
I have baskets up there to store odds and ends (mostly holiday items that I don’t want mixed with regular kitchen stuff)
Posted by Joanne - 10/08/2010
Putting holiday decorations that are too fragile for the attic or garage is a great idea! So is the newspaper to line it. Got to find some nice baskets now!
Posted by Karen - 10/08/2010
I’m all with the leave it empty idea.
Our old house had this issue. Our cabinets were high, but we had nine foot ceilings so they didn’t reach all the way. The old homeowner had put artificial plants up there, but I tossed them rather than try to clean them.
Posted by Darren - 10/08/2010
I’ve got a couple of wine racks up there, similar to these;
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cata.....s/40133951
Posted by Tabatha - 10/08/2010
I have some glass mason jars on top of my cabinets that I have dry ingredients in, like four and stuff for baking. I have a small folding step stool that I use to reach the stuff up there. I already needed the step stool to be able to get at some of the stuff in the top shelf of the cabinet and the light in my closet so I didn’t buy it just to be able to reach the cabinet.
Posted by Dylan - 10/08/2010
I’m a bit of a beer aficionado so I line that space with the bottles of every beer I’ve tried. Once you run out of cabinet space, it looks quite nice.
Posted by Rebecca - 10/08/2010
If you own and have the budget/time/ability to do so, you could remount your cabinets to meet the ceiling, and then install a shelf below the cabinets to display your prettier plates and glasses.
This is my plan for someday when I actually have the $$ to do it!
Posted by Lee - 10/08/2010
The tops of our cabinets have a deeper shelf with molding, which makes a plate rail. This runs all around the kitchen, even where there aren’t cabinets. We don’t have decorative plates and the space is too short for our ceramic serving platters, so all we have is a big initial and 2 shore birds over the sink and speakers at far ends of the cabinet over the stove (away from heat and steam). I enjoy looking up there and not seeing stuff like we had in our last house. This empty is good and peaceful.
I hang most of my laundry. If I run out of hanging space, I hook the hangers over the thin molding where the shelf goes over the doors, sink, and windows. Then it looks like the Clampetts have moved in until the laundry dries. I try to do this when my husband is at work or at night.
I like the idea of putting a newspaper up there.
Posted by Heather - 10/08/2010
I too have and had that problem in my current kitchen (my previous renovated kitchen had semi-custom cabinets that went up to the ceiling). In this kitchen – with it’s builder special (Not!) cabinets, part of the space is being taken by the fan exhaust from the microwave — it is vented to the outside now. The other spaces will be taken up by an antique china soup tureen and antique china canisters. Both are family treasures and I will be delighted to exhibit them there.
Posted by Lisa - 10/08/2010
I have my collection of teapots/pitchers/old glassware up there along with DH’s old bottles and mason jars. Looks good in our log house but it is a pain to clean, but once a year won’t hurt me! Like the newspaper idea, I finally put contact paper down, but may do newspaper next time. love unclutterer, thanks Erin!
Posted by JustGail - 10/08/2010
I have my collection of painted trays hung above the cabinets. Nothing sitting on top, but I should use it for storage of items that are not used often (cover with towels) and free up more easily accessible areas for other items. I like the idea of putting down paper, especially on top of the cupboard that’s closest to the stove. Thanks for the ideas!
Posted by Rebecca - 10/08/2010
I would use it as extra pantry space for items I stock up on. Canned and jarred foods could stay out of the way nicely, look interesting if lined up neatly, and be easy to access. If they are a bit dusty who cares, no one gets too up close to look at them, and you just give them a wipe before you open a can.
Posted by luxcat - 10/08/2010
OK first off I gotta admit I’m one of those “what if” people so please keep that in mind… but…
one, I live in earthquake country, so I just live with that dusty space the way it is and clean it once a year… because I don’t want to store anything up there and have it land on my head when the next roller comes around.
two, I really am against storing anything very flammable in the kitchen… jeans and papers and your recycling and all that sounds like a great way to let what could be a simple-ish grease fire on your stove or in your stove vent get way out of hand in a short period of time. it could also provide nesting places for curious rodents who might come wandering through on occasion, which I have had happen when I lived in the country…
my own kitchen happens to have electrical wiring (in conduit, but still) running across the back of that space, putting something up against it just doesn’t seem so prudent.
I’m sure everyone’s kitchen (and everyone’s tolerance for the “what ifs” of life) is different just wanted to throw a few ideas out there.
Posted by Amy - 10/08/2010
I use the space above my cupboards to display a nice collection of yellowware bowls. I flick the featherduster over them when I clean house every other week.
I think using the space above to just store stuff that doesn’t fit in your cabinets sounds like it would look awful. Pre-Hoarder. I keep stuff I actually use put away inside the cabinets. I had to purge a lot of stuff to get it to all fit inside those cupboards, too. Most of us have way more kitchen stuff than we need. Look in your utensil drawer and count how many spatulas are in there, even though you probably use your one favorite every time you flip a burger in your kitchen. I only want stuff that looks pretty out on display. Empty beer bottles? I think a more appropriate place for something like that would be the recycling bin.
Posted by Kristen@TheFrugalGirl - 10/09/2010
I use mine to store my cake plate, large serving bowl, and other large serving pieces that don’t easily fit into my cabinets.
Posted by adora - 10/09/2010
You can hire a contractor to fit more cabinets up to the ceiling. You can have glass doors, so you can can display pretty things without having to clean them. It’ll probably cost about $70 per linear foot. I also recommend spot lights.
Posted by Ann - 10/09/2010
I store a collection of antique beer steins above my cabinets, but once I sell them, I will probably leave it empty or store large baking dishes that I only use at holidays up there. I agree with Luxcat, though: The first thing I thought about putting jeans, newspapers, or curtains up there is that it would be a fire hazard. I know we put curtains on our windows, but those can be reached more easily in case of fire.
Beth’s link had some excellent ideas, and I love the idea of speakers for mp3 players.
Posted by Anne D - 10/09/2010
We, too have that awkward space above the cabinets. I use it to store vases, the large stockpots and canning kettle, the toaster-oven, and other things that don’t get used very often. I can’t see up there even with a ladder, so I don’t worry about it being dusty, I just wipe the things off when we need them.
Also one of the cats likes to sit up there and look down upon her kingdom and subjects. So I guess the space isn’t useless after all.
Posted by Bernice J - 10/09/2010
I’m with Chrisbean; I would love that space, since it would be so valuable in my small home. If you dont like the dust and bugs, buy beautiful matching covered boxes that you can close. This way you can store almost anything up there that you don’t use on a regular basis. There are literally hundreds of options when it comes to closed containers and many of them really are not that expensive.
Posted by Michelle Minch, Moving Mountains Design - 10/09/2010
I’m a kitchen design professional. When I remodeled my kitchen, I had the carpenter create a soffit above the cabinets (I think that’s what you were referring to when you used the term “false bolster” in the drywall suggestion). After carefully measuring where the top of the cabinets would be, the carpenter built framing which was then drywalled and painted to match the other walls in the room. For my entire kitchen it cost, maybe, $1,000. The cabinets look custom and I don’t have that awkward gap between cabinets and ceiling.
As someone else mentioned earlier, be careful about what you put on top of your cabinets. If you use something too heavy, it may cause the cabinets to rip off the wall.
Posted by Caanan - 10/09/2010
Our kitchen is open to the living room and the two rooms share a vaulted ceiling. I’ve got my pretty stuff on top of the cabinets that are viewable from the LR–cake plates and other things that are so pretty (even when there’s no food in them). I also don’t have a better place to keep them. The crock pot and wok are also up top, since they aren’t used much and don’t fit in the cabinets.
It stays a bit cleaner than some, since the cat isn’t allowed on the counters, much less on the cabinets.
Posted by saturncat - 10/09/2010
I don’t have any such space at this moment, but years ago I did. I bought a couple boxes of crackers and cookies that came in colorful tins (gotten from an el cheapo import store — I think one tin was from the Phillipines and the other from Italy), took out the crackers and cookies and put the tins on top of the cabinets. Inside the tins? Stuff I wanted to make hard to reach — cigarettes, extra stash of cash, credit cards. The tins looked way cool up there and I thought twice before I crawled on a stepladder and up on the countertop and stood on my tippy toes to get a cigarette.
Posted by Marie - 10/10/2010
The best use of that space I’ve seen is by our neighbors: they keep baskets lined with soft towels up there. The cats sleep in them. Sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
Their kitchen butts up to the family room with a half wall, so it creates an easy place for them to jump up without getting paws all over the counters or appliances. How they got them to do it that way, i don’t know. My cats would riverdance all over the stove.
Posted by KT - 10/10/2010
solid colored contact so it is easy to apply and clean.. then books!
)
my own bais
Posted by gypsy packer - 10/10/2010
I, too,have dust allergies. Try mounting sliding door tracks at ceiling and cabinet level and having someone–even a high school wood shop student–make some sliding doors from lauan.
Until you can get that done, put down a light layer of boric acid, to keep bugs at bay, then top it with newspaper, leftover giftwrap, or unpasted clearance wallpaper.
Posted by Lou - 10/10/2010
I cover the top of the fridge and any high open space with plastic wrap- easy to peel off and replace w/o having to wash/scrub.
Posted by Charles Logan - 10/11/2010
Here’s a nice touch I did in a small house I owned. I added inexpensive mini strip lighting along the top front edge of the all the kitchen cabinets to softly illuminate the ceiling. This was complimented with matching strip lighting under the cabinets to illuminate the counter tops. All of this lighting was connected to a motion sensor switch in the counter back-splash area. When you entered the kitchen, these lights would automatically turn on and turn off after you left. Wiring was ran inside the cabinets in the front corners where it was hidden. It was so nice to have just enough soft light come on when you just needed something quick. Oh yea, I’m a Master Electrician but this project was DIY friendly.
Posted by Letitia - 10/11/2010
You can have a small renovation by replacing the doors of you cabinets with higher doors that stop 1cm from the ceiling. (make sure the hinges are holding). Then you can use the space and just close the door in front of it.
I would use the space for seasonal items: Christmas baking tools, birthday decorations, picknick basket, oven cleaners, silver polish etc.
Posted by Miriam - 10/11/2010
when i started to unclutter my kitchen i started exacltely with this space because it was cluttered and i really didnt like it.
now there are 2 lights on the cabinets (“fado” from ikea, made of white glass and so easy to clean- you can wash the glassbowl or simply put it in the dishwasher, without the cables, of course) and i put some paper on the top of the cabinets. so cleaning is very easy- remove the paper, put new one on again and clean the lights.
i like the lights over there, it looks spacy, modern and clean.
Posted by begoodbabe - 10/11/2010
I have tried both newspaper and paper towel with good effect. Just slowly and carefully roll up the old and replace with the new. Super simple and no scrubbing!
Posted by Lisa - 10/11/2010
For those of us that live in earthquake-prone areas, I would very strongly advise against placing unsecured glass blocks on top of cabinets. They could fall and easily injure someone during a mild earthquake, eek! For that matter, heavy items and breakables like vases aren’t so safe up there, either. I would secure those types of things with museum putty first.
Installing a short hospital curtain or papering the tops of the cabinets might be good alternatives as well.
Posted by trillie - 10/13/2010
I love Letitia’s suggestion with the taller doors!
You could also check if IKEA (or another non-expensive furniture store) has cabinets that match yours in width and depth, and get some to hang above your cabinets to fill the space. If they don’t have any doors that match yours, either paint them all, or get extra doors for your cabinets in the same style. (Lots of interior magazines have had pictures of kitchens with different door colors for the top and bottom cabinets in the last years.)
Another stylish step stool suggestion: http://twinco.dk/sider/index.php?traeid=665
This kind of stool has casters that retract when you step on it – so it’s easy to move around, but firm and secure when you’re using it to reach somewhere high. They also come in a lot of colors.
Posted by Lila - 10/13/2010
I put paper up there and change it every spring.
Posted by Joe - 10/14/2010
I live in England and have a VERY small kitchen. My cupboards are so shallow that regular sized plates will not fit inside. While I have only around 6″ between the cupboards and the ceiling, I am greatful that it is there; without it I would have nowhere for my plates. For those who do not need to store items up there, I would recommend keeping that space open; mis-matched objects look cluttered and messy.
Posted by LJ - 10/14/2010
I use the space with a mix of fake plants and heirloom stuff I can’t bear to part with (but don’t want to use for safety concerns).
Currently I have an antique pressure cooker (my grandfather’s), some dishes from his restaurant, my mother’s school lunchbox and two silk plants.
Once a year I get up there and clean everything with Simple Green spray and paper towels. It cleans up grease quickly and isn’t terribly toxic.
Posted by Alicia (Atypical Type A) - 10/15/2010
I have a set of nice woven baskets which hold infrequently used items, such as picnic gear and baking supplies: http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2.....-makeover/
Like other readers, my mum swears by the newspaper lining trick.
Posted by brenn - 10/15/2010
I’m a renter and left that space empty for 3 years. Just recently I propagated several new pothos vines from established plants. I placed several cuttings into several vases filled with water and spaced them out across the top of the cabinets. Those plants add color, life, and beauty to a room that is often a bit hard to personalize for a renter. Not only that, but they are actually cleaning the air while they decorate!
Posted by Karen - 10/18/2010
We have inexpensive “rope” lighting on top of the cabinets. It gives off a nice glow and emphasizes the space.
Posted by Patricia - 10/19/2010
I just found your website today and am reading through past comments.
I’m renting a place that has the “dead” space above the cupboards. I use it to keep my wok, rice cooker, air popper, George Foreman grill, platters, and magazine holders in which I store my seasonal recipes. My counter is free for stuff I use more frequently, and I access the top easily with a two-step ladder I keep in my closet.
Posted by heatherK - 10/28/2010
I have my cookbooks on top of the cabinets. It may not be the smartest idea since over time dust and grease will collect, but it’s been two years and so far, so good. (Maybe it helps that I don’t cook on the stove top a lot.) And at this point, I don’t have any place else to put the cookbooks, so that’s the best option I have. I have a stool nearby, so access isn’t a problem.
Posted by Cheap cabinet hardware - 10/29/2010
I have my collection of painted trays hung above the cabinets.
now that’s a great idea
Posted by Kitre - 10/29/2010
Same as this opinion.
Once a year I get up there and clean everything with Simple Green spray and paper towels.
Posted by AKBDer - 12/17/2010
I am a Kitchen and Bath Design professional. An Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer through the National Kitchen and Bath Association, to be exact. I’m also a degreed Interior Designer and the wife of a Home Builder.
The space above the cabinets is not always because some builder saved money using cheap cabinets. In many cases, today especially, it is purely aesthetic. Most new construction homes these days have 9′ ceilings, and yes, we can take cabinetry to the ceiling, but it also depends on the look we are going for. Many times we stagger heights to break up the horizontal lines and create some interest. We may add a larger piece of crown moulding. Soffits (the drywall box) are considered cheap, tacky and outdated. The current trend is to demo them in existing homes, if possible, and defintely not build them in new homes.
So although you may deem that space useless, dirty and non-functioning, many of your readers have found fun and creative ways to use the space in an aesthetically pleasing way.
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