The space above kitchen cabinets often feels like bonus storage, especially in small homes where every inch counts. But professional organizers warn that this area can quickly turn into a clutter trap, collecting dust and even posing safety risks.
Certain items simply don’t belong above your cabinets, they say, whether it's that they’re too heavy, rarely used, or better kept in more accessible spots.
Here's what not to store there, and where to put things instead to keep your kitchen organized, functional, and visually calm.
5 Things to Never Store Above Your Kitchen Cabinets
1. Kitchen Appliances Are Usually Heavy and a Hazard
Organizing kitchen appliances is no easy feat, especially in small kitchens. However, Meghan Cocchiaro, a certified professional organizer and founder of Organized by Meg, urges you to avoid using the tops of cabinets for this task, even for lesser-used tools.
'I don't think anything should be stored on top of kitchen cabinets because they're so high and it just looks awful and cluttered,' she says. 'However, if things must be stored up there because of a lack of space, I strongly urge against it being kitchen appliances. They're too heavy, oddly shaped, and therefore dangerous to get down, even if rarely.
'Instead, these should be stored no higher than the cabinet over the fridge, preferably down in lower cabinets or in an appliance garage, or a station in the pantry.'
No matter where you store them, these appliance cord clips from Walmart can help to hide appliance cables in kitchens, preventing tangles and saving space in storage.
2. Food Can Go Off, Be Forgotten or Cause Pests
Even when organizing your home after bulk buying groceries, you should avoid putting food op the tops of your kitchen cabinets, Meg continues.
'This is so impractical because anything stored there would go bad because it gets forgotten about, or it's too difficult to retrieve. Keep food, even longer kept items like cans, down low in the pantry and/or kitchen cabinets only.'
When storing food, use the FIFO method to ensure everything is used up before its use-by date. If you decant dried food goods, use a label maker from Walmart to keep a note of the expiry date on the containers you use.
3. Delicate Items May Break
Just as you should never keep delicate items in high kitchen cabinets, you shouldn't put them on top, either.
Meg warns, 'Fine china or glassware that can be knocked over while putting it up there, or that may shake through regular living and use of the kitchen. Keep these things down low in the kitchen or in dining room storage.'
For delicate crockery you only use part of the year, such as for hosting, consider investing in quality dinnerware storage bags from Amazon, to keep them safe in storage.
4. Avoid Decor, As It Accumulate Dust
A little bit of kitchen decor can help to add some personality to your space, so long as you decorate kitchen countertops without leaving them cluttered.
However, Cathy Orr, pro organizer and cofounder of The Uncluttered Life, says, 'Another thing to avoid storing on upper cabinets is decor. While a lot of people decorate these areas, the items can become extremely dusty and difficult to clean. When cleaning, it may require the use of a ladder.
'Plus, the awkward shape or weight of decor can increase the odds of falling when attempting to take it down. Stay safe. Decorate the lower cabinets and leave the uppers free.'
Instead, when looking to add decor while keeping kitchen counters clear, consider using functional kitchen tools that have a decorative edge, such as the Addison Ross Twister Salt or Pepper Mills from Anthropologie, or a wooden utensil holder from Wayfair with matching wooden utensils.
5. Table Linens Will Gather Dust and Fade
Cathy advises, 'Lastly, do not store linens in upper cabinets. Linens can become so full of dust that they’re impossible to get clean. Instead, store them in breathable containers away from sunlight to avoid fading.'
If you are short on space, you can also use space-saving vacuum bags from Walmart, to protect linens from damage and maximise storage.
What to Shop
The Damp Duster is great for allergy sufferers as it removes all dust, pollen, pet hair, and more. Better yet, it is easy to clean – simply rinse the sponge with water to remove dust and grime.
Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for adding extra easy-access hidden storage to your kitchen.
These stacking bins are ideal for items that need ventilation, such as food packets or bathroom products, helping to keep them neat without the risk of mold or odors.
Adding wall shelves can be a good alternative to using the tops of cabinets, lowering storage for easier and safer access.
These garment bags are ideal for table linens, too, offering protected storage against bugs and dust.
Make more space in your kitchen cabinets by investing in smart organizers that create space by using vertical height. It has the added benefit of protecting your baking sheets from scratching, too.
Meet the Experts
Luckily, this spot isn't completely dead space. There are some great ways to make use of the space above kitchen cabinets to make the best use of your home.
