Keeping a clean and organized home helps me stay calm and focused, and that sense of order definitely applies to my kitchen—including the fridge and everything around it. As a kid, I didn’t pay much attention to organization or storage solutions. I just knew where the snacks were. But my mom was different.

She always kept our house looking spotless, like it was ready for a magazine shoot, and she had a gift for making the most out of every inch of space. One of her most underrated tricks involved using the cupboards above the refrigerator. You know the ones—they’re high up, often out of reach, and many people ignore them entirely or let them collect dust. But she showed me that these seemingly awkward cabinets can actually be incredibly practical when used the right way. While they may not be ideal for things you need every day, they’re perfect for storing items that only come out once in a while.

For example, those bulky kitchen appliances that you don’t use often—like blenders, food processors, waffle makers, or electric carving knives—can all be neatly tucked away up there. It clears space in more accessible cabinets and keeps your kitchen looking clean and uncluttered. Another smart use for these cabinets is storing canned goods or baking staples. Items like canned beans, soups, tomato sauce, flour, sugar, and baking powder tend to have a long shelf life, and you don’t need to reach for them every single day. Keeping them in the upper cupboards allows you to stock up when there’s a good deal at the store without sacrificing space in your main pantry.

That space is also great for storing cookbooks. While I love flipping through my favorite recipes, I don’t need all of my cookbooks out on the counter. Placing them up high keeps them clean and gives the kitchen a sleeker appearance, plus I always know where to find them when I want to try something new. If you’re running low on pantry space, those top cupboards can double as overflow storage. Using small bins or spice racks can help organize things like seasoning refills, extra bags of rice, pasta boxes, or packaged snacks. It’s also a great place to store items you’ve purchased in bulk—like kitchen towels, paper napkins, or reusable cloths.

They’re lightweight, easy to grab, and don’t need to be accessed daily, making them perfect candidates for higher storage. Another often-overlooked benefit of these cabinets is their ability to keep fragile or special-occasion dishware out of reach. If you have fine china, holiday plates, or heirloom serving pieces, storing them above the fridge keeps them safely out of the hands of little ones and away from daily kitchen chaos. You’ll still have them close by when needed but without the risk of breakage. That said, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind. Always use a sturdy step stool or small ladder when accessing these cabinets. It’s not worth the risk of injury trying to reach for something while standing on your toes or a wobbly chair. Avoid placing heavy or oversized items up there since they can be dangerous to lift down and may not be secure in those smaller cabinet spaces. And don’t forget that refrigerators generate some heat, especially from the back and top. That means you should avoid storing heat-sensitive items like chocolate, certain oils, or anything that might melt or spoil more quickly due to the slightly elevated temperature. With a little creativity and planning, those upper cabinets can go from wasted space to some of the most functional and efficient storage in your kitchen. It’s just one of those small but impactful home organization lessons I’m glad my mom passed down. Whether you’re trying to tidy up your kitchen or just find extra space for things you don’t use often, don’t overlook the hidden potential right above your fridge.