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Good Housekeeping has published 11 ideas for making use of the often-unused space above kitchen cabinets. Its suggestions range from storing backup pantry goods and infrequently used items in baskets to displaying artwork, cookbooks, plants and decorative objects.
Good Housekeeping has published 11 ideas for using the space above kitchen cabinets, recommending a mix of backup storage and decorative displays. The suggestions include baskets for items used infrequently, jars for extra ingredients, and displays of artwork, cookbooks, plants and natural materials.
The report advises reserving this high, hard-to-reach area for items people do not need every day. Wicker baskets can hold backup pantry goods, such as coffee or seltzer, or less frequently used household items, including small appliances and seasonal dish towels. The article also suggests adding dividers to make cubbies for baskets containing spare spices or boxes of pasta.
For food storage, the report proposes keeping extra flour, sugar and grains in attractive storage jars. It does not provide specific food-storage instructions, such as container requirements or advice about humidity and heat, so readers should follow the product label and use suitable, sealed containers. Items that need frequent access may be inconvenient to keep overhead.
The remaining ideas focus on display: leaning artwork against the wall, arranging cookbooks that are not regularly pulled down, and grouping vases, sculptures or wooden cutting boards. The list also includes houseplants in a sunny kitchen, small decorative groupings such as vintage books and faux plants, and natural textures such as pampas grass, wicker and rattan. A statement light fixture is offered as another way to draw attention upward.
Storage and Display Trade-Offs
The list addresses a familiar planning challenge: the gap above cabinets can be usable but difficult to reach. Treating it as overflow storage may free cabinet and countertop space, while using it for display can add color and texture without taking up work surfaces. The article’s examples give readers options rather than a single layout to copy.
There is a practical trade-off. Items stored high are less convenient to access, making the space better suited to backup supplies and occasional-use objects than daily essentials. Open displays can also add visual clutter if too many objects are grouped together. The report presents design ideas, not tested evidence that any one arrangement improves storage or makes a kitchen feel larger.
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The Eleven Ideas at a Glance
The Good Housekeeping report organizes its suggestions around two uses: concealed storage and visible decor. Baskets appear in several examples, serving both purposes: they can hold seldom-used items out of sight or add woven texture when left on display. Built-in dividers and cubbies offer a more structured version of the same approach.
Other proposals make the gap a display zone. Artwork, cookbooks, vases, sculptures and cutting boards can be arranged above the cabinets, while plants and natural materials add greenery or texture. The report notes that cookbooks placed there are best treated as decor because reaching them regularly could be difficult. Its examples are drawn from interior-design photographs and home-decor ideas; they are not presented as a ranking or as a set of product-test results.
““it will be too difficult to pull them down on a regular basis.””
— Good Housekeeping report
Access, Safety and Kitchen Conditions
The source does not assess whether the suggestions suit every kitchen. Cabinet height, ceiling clearance, light levels and a reader’s ability to reach the area will affect what can be stored or displayed there. It also does not give guidance on securing artwork or objects, supporting added shelves, or choosing plants for particular indoor conditions.
The report does not specify food-safety requirements for pantry items kept overhead. Readers should check labels and use sealed, suitable containers, especially for ingredients sensitive to heat, moisture or pests. The source also does not quantify how much storage the ideas add or compare their cost, maintenance or safety.
Choosing a Practical Arrangement
The report offers ideas rather than a scheduled project or follow-up. Readers can use its suggestions to decide whether the area will serve mainly as overflow storage, display, or a combination, then account for reach and the conditions in their kitchen. Frequently used items should remain in accessible cabinets or drawers.
Before placing anything overhead, homeowners may want to check that containers are stable, objects are not likely to fall, and stored food is protected according to its packaging. The source gives no installation plan or product recommendation, so decisions about adding dividers, cubbies or lighting will depend on the kitchen and any work required.
Key Questions
What does Good Housekeeping recommend storing above kitchen cabinets?
The report suggests backup pantry goods, extra dry ingredients in storage jars, and infrequently used items such as small appliances or seasonal dish towels. It also proposes baskets for unopened spices and pasta boxes.
Can cookbooks go above kitchen cabinets?
Yes, as a display. The report cautions that books placed there may be too difficult to retrieve regularly, so it is not an ideal spot for frequently used cookbooks.
What decorative items can go above cabinets?
Ideas in the report include artwork, vases, sculptures, cutting boards, plants, vintage books, wicker and rattan. It also suggests a statement light fixture to draw attention upward.
Is the space suitable for everyday pantry items?
It may be inconvenient if items are hard to reach. The report mainly recommends backup ingredients and less frequently used supplies. Store food in suitable, sealed containers and follow product-label instructions.
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