Odd Area in Kitchen
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This shelf is in the "cubby" area where my fridge sits. The shelf itself measures 12" deep x 44" long, with 36" clearance to the top of a nine foot ceiling. It would need to something I don't need to access frequently, but I'd like it to look nice. Any thoughts?
66 answers
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How about a simple remedy, a piece of art that reflects your design style. Or a Kilm, rug etc on the wall, with some uneven heights of a few items that also fit your 'motif', on the shelf.
Sia@South 47th
on Aug 04, 2013
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It's a great spot for a wine rack, all the way up to the ceiling.
Jessica C
on Aug 04, 2013
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I love that idea @Z . I love the luggage idea as well. And I'm really wishing I could Photoshop, but the program and I just don't get along. I need a class I think on it.
Sia@South 47th
on Aug 04, 2013
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I would put in a false back to bring it forward and have 12-14" depth and buy racks for wine/margarita glasses on one shelf and use other shelves for a wine rack or out of the way appliances, or even decor items. I would also think about putting an inexpensive fluorescent light to light up if you decide to display. Above the frig I have brought my cabinets out so I can reach them~works so much better than having them sit back.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Aug 04, 2013
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@Kate Sullivan very difficult area to decorate. I guess you need to decide whether you want it to be functional or decorative. If functional, you could store larger pieces of little used dishes, such as serving platters, large bowls etc. Be fore warned - these dishes in high places in kitchens tend to get a little greasy - so plan ahead to wash in soapy water or cover in saran wrap to keep them clean. It does look a little high for wine storeage and the temps at that level might be too warm for wine storage on a long term - more than a week or two. For decoration you could store coloured glass bottles and vases (you may even find some inexpensive very tall vases in the accents for your colours) perhaps on two shelves there or as @Z suggested wicker baskets, or as @Sia@South 47th suggested wall art. You could even get a piece of fabric you like and attach it to a premade frame/canvas to accent the colours of your decor. Do update us with a pic of what you do and thanks for posting :)
Gail Salminen
on Aug 04, 2013
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Kate, if you decide to use a wine rack and pack it out so that its closer to the front of the frig, use a modern-day track light, not fluorescent lighting. There are many choices of track lighting that allow you to add/change lights as you desire.
One Man and A Hammer, Inc.
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would go the functional route and use cabinets and fill with large pieces that are not use often. You can never have enough cabinet space.
La June Moreland
on Aug 05, 2013
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You can never have too much storage. If it were me I would put up additional cabinets and store my less frequently used items such as good china, crystal dishes and vases and serving bowls or holiday themed dinnerware, etc.
Jeanette R
on Aug 05, 2013
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What about a built in cabinet with glass doors to display some of your dishes you don't use very often.
Phyllis Duke
on Aug 05, 2013
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I`d put some baskets with linings that go with your kitchen colors. This way, it`s not only pretty but functional because you can store some things.
Carol L
on Aug 05, 2013
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I'd find or build a frame that looks like a 4 pane window and then it could be backed by a mirror or screen or wire or even just a picture or fabric stapled on the back. You would have the options too of putting it flat on the wall or even bringing it forward and attaching it to the edge of the wall with L brackets or just screwed right down to the edge of the shelf or even cuter : halfway back on the shelf so the edge of the shelf could be a 'window sill'.
Sharon H
on Aug 05, 2013
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well in my house that space is reserved for the cat...lol....I have tried to pretty it up but she just takes it out again....do you think she is trying to tell me something...lol
Carol S
on Aug 05, 2013
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Do not put a wine rack or any kind of food, beverage, or medicine on top of refrigeration. It gets pretty warm up there and is not good for those products. It's a good place to keep larger things that are not used often.
Christine
on Aug 05, 2013
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How about shelves and putting up holiday dishes or "company" dishes
Sharon Tinsley Johnson
on Aug 05, 2013
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You can either put more cabinets for storage if you are short of space to store things, or a wine rack which looks beautiful.
Virginia
on Aug 05, 2013
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Another cabinet for storage,could be set on the shelf instead of mounted to wall.
Hettie Yeaman Crocker
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would start with 3 short pendant lights, add some oversized crystal decanters and various sized black picture frames on the shelf (I noticed your black curtains) with a nice piece framed on the wall above it that compliments all of it. I'll throw up a drawing in a few minutes to give you an idea of what I am talking about.
Therese C
on Aug 05, 2013
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Personally, I would put in glass front cabinets and store decorative dishes that I don't get used much. Of course, I collect antique dishes, so I am always looking for extra places to put them. Lol. I immediately thought of dishes, when I saw this space. It looks high enough to me, to put in cabinets that don't go all the way to the ceiling and you could have a wine rack over top of that or decorate the tops with wine bottles and greenery! Or shelving with decorative baskets if you can't afford cabinets.
Tammy M
on Aug 05, 2013
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Have you asked Ty Pennington? I know he takes questions from his subscribers, and he's a pretty creative guy.Also maybe HGTV website or DIY..Just a thought..
Marta Sloane
on Aug 05, 2013
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Why not a large storage area but instead of make them look like paintings of long ago decedents. They could act as doors when you needed to get something out, but when closed just look like framed pictures.
Joe
on Aug 05, 2013
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Okay..here Is the idea for you...my pendant lights look a bit strange..sorry.. :) anyway, maybe on the side walls you could put up a mirror with its' twin on the other side to give the space the illusion of more size...good luck!
Therese C
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would put shelves up for storage of those pretty vases we can never find space for also anything else you need to store which looks pretty, but you don't use every day.
Diane Nicholson
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would extend the shelf enough to 'file' cookie sheets, pizza pans, griddle, and large flat items.... or possibly add a second shelf. Then frame it and put up doors to help keep the items stored there clean. If you wanted something decorative, work with the doors.
Jcu208972
on Aug 05, 2013
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My mind immediately went to a painting... or a few of them! I might paint the cubby a warmer color to match your decor and make it a fun art show place. But if you have storage issues... definitely a cupboard up there!
Melissa B
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would make 2 shelves. cover the front with 2 pretty curtain panels. I would store items not used often like cake carriers, deviled egg holders, veggie snack trays, etc., most stuff I use on special occasions or holidays.
Tracy Moore
on Aug 05, 2013
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Perhaps one of those fun kitchen signs like "stressed spelled backwards is dessert" or Coke trays on the wall. On the shelf you can have a few cookbooks and / or large mixing bowls or platters. An interesting vase with simple flowers could be nice also. Let us know what you decide to do!
Sondra A
on Aug 05, 2013
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When I saw this space, I thought of a huge clock. . . I have decorative items up way high and they catch dust and grease really bad, so I wouldn't recommend that unless you have them where you can get to them every now and again, (mine you need a ladder to get to) I would paint a bold color and then get the clock hands and numbers from a craft store (you could paint the numbers or possibly use some cute design instead) . . . then I would put a few pretty vases or something simple as accents.
Pamela Duff
on Aug 05, 2013
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A stunning glass front two door cabinet for your treasured fancy/holiday dishes and glassware. Have a little back light to show them off.
Kris
on Aug 05, 2013
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I was picturing a stack of old suitcases. You could use them for storage of summer/winter clothes, photo albums, special keepsakes, etc... And you could even paint them different colours to match your décor.
Bonnie
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would think about putting in a two door cabinet with glass panels. The cabinet could be used to store dishes, glassware or serving platters that are not in use everyday. If you don't use glass panels, a stenciled cabinet would look very nice.
Terrie Ash
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would cover it up completely - it is to high and grease would accumulate on anything stored there whether seasonally functional or decorative. I would box it in and blend it into the over all look of the refrigerator area. :-)
Karin Keller
on Aug 05, 2013
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Baskets that you can store extra dishes in or decorative boxes for the same reason? i can't tell what that is on the left side of the refrigerator, but can it be removed and put a ladder there that rolls across the top to be able to get to the things stored up there? Paint that nook an accent color for more interest. Just some thoughts off the top of my head.
Lisa Frost
on Aug 05, 2013
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i would put our old meat grinder, scale wih old weights, coffee grinder, some cookbooks we never use, and a large plastic plant that still looks good
Susan Hansen
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would put a real cool framed poster there
Susan C
on Aug 05, 2013
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I put cookbooks of all sizes up there, until my contractor decided to close it off with plywood that I now have to paint. I wish he had put a door too. If you put something up there that blocks the airflow, the stuff inside the fridge will stay warm. You don't want anything that touches the fridge.
Lynn Lawson
on Aug 05, 2013
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I would put fake flowers or a climbing vine.
Edith
on Aug 05, 2013
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Fill the area with good storage cabinets all the way to the ceiling and store things that you only use a few times a year and feel safe that they will be there and handy when you do need them. Ralph Jones www.ralphjonesworkshop.com
Ral209020
on Aug 05, 2013
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Enclosed cabinets for paper products etc. or seldom used items..Lucky to have extra space..
Carol M
on Aug 05, 2013
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cabinets..big deep ones to keep all the stuff you rarely use!!
Michelle Long
on Aug 05, 2013
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Because it is a hard place to have access to, I'd use the space for either hiding or storing things not used often, or as others have said, make it a display case with glass doors for those treasures that everyone has. But being in the kitchen, maybe items that have a kitchen touch to them. It's high so would it be noticed with treasures in it? Maybe just some stained glass doors to make it noticeable. Then it wouldn't matter what is behind. Wish I had something like that - extra storage in a house is primo.
Donna C
on Aug 05, 2013
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Mural on the wall and maybe hooks coming from it with some kitchen gadgets
Polka B
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would hang a large colorful plate on the wall or rest it on the shelf.
Denise Wright
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would build a cabinate with solid doors & put in pots & bowls ...things I only need when cooking for a crowd or holidays
Marilyn Hackett
on Aug 06, 2013
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Shelve it and use to display your best dinner service?
Barbara Chapman
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would put a cabinet there for storage.
Barbara Passaro
on Aug 06, 2013
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Cabinet for storage
Nanneys C
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would add another shelf and store my cookbooks there, artfully arranged with a large plate/platter on easel or other large, decorative item, ex., cake plate for color accent. Make it display & storage.
Marianne Green
on Aug 06, 2013
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I HAVE SOME BEAUTIFUL OLD PLATES THAT CAME FROM MY NANA AND GREAT NANA.....EVEN ONE FROM MY GREAT-GREAT NANA. I WOULD HANG THEM IN A PRETTY DISPLAY THERE TO SHOW THEM OFF. EVERYTIME I WOULD SEE THEM I WOULD BE REMINDED HOW AWSOME THEY WERE AND HOW MUCH I LOVED THEM.
Cheryl stanley
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would paint the wall a color and add a picture or plates up high. Then I would put a couple of low baskets on the shelf to store holiday things. I have some short baskets in my pantry and inside I have plastic shoe boxes with cookie cutters, holiday knapkins etc. They stay clean in the shoe boxes and I can reach up and snag the baskets easily.
Gloria Duy
on Aug 06, 2013
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Large hinged glass door that lifts up for full & easy access. protected lighting inside & maybe stained glass/stained glass covering...it would add color.
L D
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would either build cabinets in or buy cabinets. We had a wire shelf over the washer dryer and built cabinets to match the kitchen so now I storage for things I don't use often and looks nice with the kitchen.
Leona G
on Aug 06, 2013
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Storage cabinet for sure, I wouldn't waste the space. @@Karin Keller,as far as grease reaching up there, I can't imagine it would.
Cathy B
on Aug 06, 2013
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Grease flies everywhere, tops of cabinets always have a layer of grease unless you have soffits over them. But what about closing up the front, leaving air-flow room just above the fridge, and opening the BACK or side to another room for storage or display in THAT room? If there is a hallway behind that, it could just be a very high suitcase-storing closet.
Tabby
on Aug 06, 2013
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Put more kitchen cabinets in. Too many chachki's decorating the area means more things to dust and clean, and its not the easiest space to climb around and dust. If cabinets aren't do-able, get a small tension rod, and run a pair of drapes, the appropriate size, to camouflage the area, which you could then use as hidden extra storage.
Susan Shiptoski
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would add another shelf and place decorative baskets for storage of things you seldom use.
Krystal B
on Aug 06, 2013
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I would put wall paper and stack glass jars filled with raw spices.
Attiser
on Aug 06, 2013
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Vintage pots and pans, maybe some tea kettles, or something like that. Kitchen themed decoration, basically. Or, if you go more for function than decoration, store holiday kitchen things in a decorative basket that you will only need to access once per year for Christmas or Hannukah (or other winter holiday).
Rebecca Glenn
on Aug 06, 2013
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Since it is near a window, I can see a real viny plant...like a pothos or ivy.
Pat
on Aug 06, 2013
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You don;t how what your cabinets are in th photo, but I would have your contractor put in anothr shelf and build a face frame like your other cabinets and then order 2 (or possibly 4) doors to match your cupboard doors to cover the area. It could be used to store those large items you only use one or twice a year and/or cook books. You could also ask to have he shelves made deeper to handle items that won't fit in a 12" deep cabinet. If it is too expensive to order matching doors, make some plain doors and paint a vine growing up the doors or birds and bird houses. .
Carole curtis
on Aug 06, 2013
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couple of things come to mind. Lower the shelf to make it more custom looking and cut down on dust. Love the idea of adding shelves/cabinets for storage/decorating.Use pretty, closed containers/baskets for storage. If neither of those appeal, I would go big and bold with decorating so items are not dwarfed in space. Nice sized baskets filled with dried foliage, maybe a LARGE framed print/swath of fabric behind or many medium sized pictures/plates top to bottom as backdrop Stack up some coffee table books/cookbooks.Love the look but hate to dust up high. I would probably add shelves for storage and put a rod across front and hang a curtain/fabric as cover up. It would add some texture and what I could hide up there...the possibilities are endless.
Nanette F
on Aug 06, 2013
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A large wine rack.
Nancy J
on Aug 06, 2013
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Thank you all for all the great ideas! Now the problem is: which one to choose!
Kate Sullivan
on Aug 07, 2013
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The area is tall. You could hang some kind of signs or art from chains or rods. Maybe two different ones, one on top of the other, the lower hanging from the upper one.
Madelyn
on Aug 09, 2013
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I think baskets would work great, you can use them to store things that you don't use very often, and also still hang signs or art on the wall.
Carol Harris
on Aug 09, 2013
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@Kate Sullivan: what a great area to work with - and so many great ideas!
Patricia Cleveland
on Aug 09, 2013
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Definitely another large cabinet. Put those things only used once or twice a year in. And stay away from all the dust and grease cleaning as suggested above.
Renata
on Jan 17, 2015
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