Looking for above refrigerator cabinet organization ideas that go beyond stacking things out of sight? Upright tray dividers, matching baskets and little cookbook shelves give you plenty to work with.
I especially love the setups that leave room for both storage and a few pretty details.
You can keep it simple or plan a cabinet makeover. Most pictures below show above-fridge spaces, though a few show other kitchen cabinets or decorative displays.
Before copying a setup, check your refrigerator’s ventilation requirements and keep stored items safely within reach.
Above-fridge storage and other cabinet ideas
tray slots and an open cubby
We’re starting off with this neat white cabinet and its upright dividers. I love how the slots take up just one side, leaving a taller open cubby beside them.
Try reserving the narrow spaces for baking sheets and trays. The little shelf above the dividers gives you another spot to plan around.
matching bins and labeled jars
How cute is this storage mockup? Three matching baskets sit above the fridge, with a separate shelf of labeled jars higher up.
If you like this arrangement, measure for the baskets first. Keep frequently used pantry ingredients somewhere lower if reaching that top shelf would be awkward.
racks inside the doors
This cabinet has a little something different. Racks on the insides of both doors hold bottles and containers while the middle of the cabinet stays open.
I’d check the door load limits and closing clearance before adding similar racks. Keep any cleaning products in their original labeled containers and separate from food.
baking trays below a shelf
If you have a whole collection of baking pans, this one is for you. The lower part of the cabinet holds trays, boards and pans upright, with small dishes and boxes on the shelf above.
I love that the dividers keep everything from becoming one big stack. Group similar pieces together so you can see what you’re reaching for.
baskets beside a trailing plant
I am obsessed with the trailing greenery here. Two brown baskets sit beside a pale pitcher and a plant, with a short stack of books beneath the plant.
The closed cabinet above adds another storage area. For your own version, keep the plant and its watering routine away from the appliance and any ventilation openings.
full-height tray dividers
Don’t want to stack your serving platters under baking sheets? No problem!
These tall white dividers give the pieces their own narrow spaces.
The round platters sit between rectangular trays and a cooling rack. That mix is a good reminder to measure your largest pieces before choosing divider spacing.
three baskets with lids
How pretty are these matching baskets? The little woven lid knobs are my favorite detail.
They fill the gap beneath the white cabinets without showing what’s inside.
For a similar setup, I’d choose lightweight, occasionally used supplies rather than anything you need to grab several times a day.
one wide cabinet front
If you’re looking for something simple on the outside, this one is for you. A single wide cabinet front sits above the refrigerator, matching the tall cabinets on either side.
The interior isn’t shown, so there’s no organizer layout to copy here. Use this picture for the built-in look, then plan the inside around your own trays or bins.
crossed bottle cubbies
These X-shaped dividers definitely look different from the usual straight shelves. A few bottles rest in the lower triangular spaces, with plenty of empty room above.
I love the pattern, but I wouldn’t assume an above-fridge spot is suitable for wine storage. Check the temperature there before deciding what belongs in these cubbies.
a lower corner cabinet
This picture takes us away from the fridge. The open lower corner cabinet has curved shelves tucked beneath the counter.
If you don’t want to lift things overhead, consider a lower storage spot like this instead. It’s another part of the kitchen worth planning before you fill every upper cabinet.
upright storage high and low
This is another divided cabinet, but there’s a nice extra detail. The kitchen repeats the upright slots in a lower cabinet beside the fridge.
I’d put heavier boards in the lower section and reserve the upper slots for lighter trays. You still get that tidy, separated arrangement in both places.
paper towels beneath a cabinet
Don’t want a paper towel stand on your counter? This picture shows paper towels tucked beneath an upper cabinet, with a sheet hanging down.
It’s elsewhere in the kitchen rather than above the fridge. I like that it leaves the counter below clear without putting an everyday item up on a high shelf.
an open rack for baking pans
No cabinet above your fridge? This picture uses an open upright rack instead.
A muffin pan, baking sheets, a cooling rack and cutting boards all stand between the wire loops.
Read also: 20+ Genius Baking Supplies Organization Ideas That Save Space
Before trying it, check whether your appliance allows storage on top. I’d move the heavier boards to a lower cabinet rather than copy every piece shown.
labeled boxes under closed doors
This is one of my favorite arrangements on the list. Three matching lidded boxes fill the lower cubby, while the closed cabinet and decorative shelf sit above.
Read also: 20 Shoe Rack Organization Ideas for Entryways, Closets and Bedrooms
The label holders are worth keeping if you try this look. Give each box a clear category so you don’t have to open all three to find one thing.
a narrow lower tray cubby
Here’s another picture from elsewhere in the kitchen. The narrow lower cubby beside the oven holds boards and flat pieces upright.
I love that even this little opening has a use. You could borrow the divided layout for an above-fridge cabinet, but measure your pieces first. The photo shows the lower version.
cookbooks and a little bowl
I love this small cookbook shelf. The books sit together on the left, with a pale speckled bowl and a little greenery beside them.
If you don’t need another row of bins, a simple display like this is a pretty option. Choose books you use occasionally if the shelf is too high for an everyday reach.
open shelves around the fridge
If you want more than one little cabinet, take a look at this whole shelving surround. Above the refrigerator, pitchers and lidded dishes share an open shelf. More shelves run down both sides.
I especially like that everything isn’t packed tightly together. Leave a little empty space in your own arrangement rather than filling every opening.
large vessels and leafy branches
How gorgeous are these oversized vessels? The brown, cream and dark gray shapes look lovely together, with leafy branches spreading above them.
This is a decorative display rather than an organization system. If you want to borrow the look, verify the shelf’s load capacity and choose pieces you can place securely.
cream bins with little handles
Don’t want lids or lots of decorative pieces? These three cream bins keep things simple.
Utensils, containers and folded items peek out above the tops.
I love the tan handles against the pale cabinets. For your own bins, try separating baking tools, spare towels and lightweight supplies into different categories.
clear bins with category labels
Last but definitely not least, this cabinet shows clear organizers with labels along the shelf edges. First-aid supplies and medicines are grouped into sections, with bottles in a round organizer near the middle.
Read also: 20 Medicine Cabinet Organization Ideas for Neater Shelves and Drawers
This is a separate cabinet example, not a recommendation to store medicine over an appliance. Follow each product’s storage directions.
For your above-fridge space, you could borrow the labeling idea for suitable nonmedical supplies.