There’s a lot to be said for a neat, tidy home where everything has its place. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find it extremely hard to focus when the place is a mess or you have the feeling that things aren’t precisely where they should be. And yes, this includes inside the fridge.

Of course, that wasn’t always the case. When I was young I didn’t place much emphasis on the organization around the house – I guess I’ve got my mother to thank for the fact that it always looked like it was ready to be pictured for an estate agent’s portfolio.

She taught me many tips and tricks too, my mother, amongst those the best ways to use those small cupboards many kitchens have above refrigerators. Know the ones I mean? Well, if you have them as well, read on to see how they might be best utilized.

At first glance, the small cupboards you might find above the refrigerator might not look like they can be all that useful.

They’re simply not big enough for some things, and having plates or cups up that high just simply isn’t practical. So, what to do with them?

Well, if you’re at a loose end as to what you want to do with these cupboards, we’re here to lend some nifty tips and tricks.

Storage space for infrequently used kitchen gadgets:
As stated, these cupboards probably aren’t ideal for things you’re going to be using twice a day every day, but that doesn’t mean they can’t hold things that only come out now and then. Think food processors, blenders, waffle makers, etc.

Canned products and baking essentials
Most canned food and produce have extremely long life spans, meaning they can be placed up here and it’s okay if you forget about them for a while. Or how about baking essentials that you might only use on weekends?

Cookbooks
Got a few cookbooks you don’t want just lying around? I know I have, so I use the top compartment of my cupboard to keep my books.

Pantry items and spices
Similar to what we mentioned about canned foods, there are likely items you have in your pantry that can fit nicely in such a cupboard. Or you might consider getting a small spice rack to keep your cooking spices up there.

Kitchen towels
Household items like kitchen towels that you might buy in bulk (my wife always does) can be stored here.

Fine china
Are some plates or sets of cutlery that are only reserved for special occasions? It could make sense to keep them above the fridge, and there’s less chance of your children getting hold of them this way!

Be careful
It should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway: be careful when opening and closing said cupboards. If you’re lifting things there, make sure they’re not too heavy to safely get down again.

Always use a sturdy stool or step ladder to access whatever it is you’re storing there, and be mindful of the fact that heat emitted by the fridge beneath makes it less ideal for certain products.