This Is What Professional Organizers Store in Hard-to-Reach Cabinets

Every home has a few areas designed for aesthetics, not functionality. A prime example is that pesky cabinet over the refrigerator. These types of cabinets are often impossible to reach without a stool (at least when you’re 5′ 5″ like me), and they’re certainly not practical for storing items you need to access every day.

However, high kitchen cabinets don’t have to be wasted space. “The cabinet above the refrigerator is often overlooked or used as a catch-all for miscellaneous items, but it can become a functional storage space,” says professional organizer Carol Appelbaum of Luxury Pro Organizer.

Here’s exactly what professional organizers recommend storing in the cabinet over your refrigerator and how to organize kitchen cabinets for maximum efficiency.

What to Store in High Kitchen Cabinets

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Seasonal decor

Over-the-fridge cabinets are ideal for storing items that you don’t use often, such as seasonal decor. “One of my favorite uses for this cabinet is seasonal or holiday-specific items, such as holiday dishes, serving pieces and festive cloth napkins,” says Appelbaum. “Since these items are only used occasionally, they won’t clutter your everyday storage, but they’ll still be within reach when you need them.”

Oversized serving platters

If you struggle to find a home for big serving dishes, the over-the-fridge cabinet can often accommodate them. “The cabinet above the fridge is likely at least 18 inches tall, if not closer to 24 inches. Combine that with the fridge depth—usually 24 inches deep—and this is a perfect place for large platters,” says professional organizer Courtney Cummings of The Stylish Organizer. “Fully maximize your space using vertical dividers to section off each piece and easily slide platters in and out.”

Lesser-used cookbooks

I’m certainly guilty of holding onto more cookbooks than I need, and high cabinets are a good place to store cookbooks that you don’t reach for every day. “Store extra cookbooks above your fridge when you run out of display room on your counter,” says Cummings. “Store them vertically to maximize your space and use a bookend or small appliance to keep them upright.”

Lightweight items

It’s tempting to stash a slow cooker or Dutch oven above your fridge, but this overhead location isn’t ideal for heavy objects. “Lifting and lowering heavy items from a top shelf can be difficult and even dangerous,” says Appelbaum.

“Consider storing lighter items rather than bulky, heavy cookware or appliances,” she says. “If using storage containers, make sure they’re clearly labeled in large font so you can identify them from below without having to pull them down.” Some lightweight items you might consider stashing above your fridge include extra linens, party supplies, or bulk items like paper towels.

How to Organize High Kitchen Cabinets

If you want to prevent high cabinets from becoming a jumbled mess, be meticulous about what you put up there. “When organizing this space, make sure everything can be seen easily from below,” recommends Appelbaum. “Storing more than one item deep is not efficient because you will have to remove multiple items just to reach something in the back.”

You may want to invest in a few storage essentials. “To maximize vertical space, consider using small stacking containers or a cabinet riser. These will help keep items neatly organized where you can see them,” says Appelbaum.

It’s a good idea to periodically assess what you have stored in high kitchen cabinets and remove items that are collecting dust. Professional organizers recommend getting rid of kitchen items you haven’t used in a year (or more). This will help keep your cabinets tidy and reduce kitchen clutter.