I design a cupboard (shallow wall cupboard carcass ) then added a larger matching door so you don't see the top of the fridge and if you buy a taller fridge you can just remove door, order smaller door to suit or leave open as shelves

I used a box of tissues, soft lighting lamp that makes a great pattern up the wall and across the ceiling and a pot plant.

I have a shelf and that's where I've popped my altar for the kitchen God he takes the best place the highest place in the kitchen

I bought a whole bunch of good quality artificial leaves (big ones) and using an old container made it into a garden ...Ikea is good

i had an old tv set over my fridge - it was great... cartoons at breakfast

If you like colour, you could paint the two enclosing walls and make a feature of the space. I would still put a beautiful leafy plant (real or not) on top of the fridge. This will also stop tall people using it as a handy shelf!

We have a small cupboard in line with the next cupboards, hinged at the top and keep our medicine chest, pet stuff, oven cleaners etc up there out of reach of kids.

See shelving idea in attached photo, red arrows indication ventilation for fridge, could possibly install a grill into the ceiling space if required.

I have access to some beautiful spotted gum which I made the other shelves out of so am considering using it for this project.

Sometimes space/a void can be restfully attractive. You could try hanging a basket/pot with something like a spathyphyllum plant rather than add more visual clutter. This could also be a "quick fix"/stopgap until you get around to doing your shelves. I actually like Bec2011's plant above her fridge.

@bhp19,

I like swaneee's Pinterest pic for your fridge dilemma.

I'm not having anything over my fridge either when we get to building our kitchen but I'm not having overheads - period, as I'm too short to use them, so it's not such an issue however, my fridge will be right beside my double oven cabinetry and I already don't like how it looks in my drawings, so may have to rethink what I do there.

A standard cupboard over the fridge could be the go but whatever I put in there will not be used much due to accessing it.

I see a lovely open weave basket or even one in stainless steel or chromed wire filled with good quality, convincing- looking artificial fruit in the bottom and real fruit to be eaten sitting on top of it . I have a country kitchen..my fridge is sitting in the original recess that once housed a burnt out heavy cast iron JR wood burning stove and oven . Wanted to keep it for decorative appeal but needed the space...sigh. There' a bank of arctic glass louvres on one side of the recess and a lattice wall on the other...for ventilation. I painted the recess a sunny yellow. Maybe paint the space over your fridge in preparation for a display ? My fridge is just a white enamelled one, large enough for one person...(.but am threatening it with the spray can of paint in a nice colour.... and can almost feel it cringe every time I look at it with this in mind) . With such a lovely shiny frige you have and white walls....I can easily see a beautiful basket of fruit...the artificial as the base so you will never lose the effect and your eating fruit on top to be replenished when needed. I resolved my "space over the fridge" in this manner. Just apples all polished up make a lovely decoration.

Hi there, I have a large wooden bowl on top of my fridge and put veg in that doesn't need refrigeration; onions & pumpkins,

Hi Loom Living...have a bowl exactly like that but maybe a bit deeper. Good idea about the Veg. Problem is, if you don't eat them asap they sprout and the ones at the bottom with the least air begin to break down...Great idea but think and open weave basket would be the better solution....and keep just one layer of real produce on top.

Nice Fischer and Paykel though.

To Nicole K..OOOOOOH That sounds really classy! Why didn't anybody come up with that earlier on? I don't drink...but just for the decorator touch, if I had that fridge and that space, I'd get the calssiest alcohol shelving and fill it with the most elegant bottles available......suppose the real thing would cost a mint...so I'd hunt for the bottles and fill them with the appropriately coloured liquid...food colouring dye and water ought to do it. Maybe just one real bottle....my brandy for the upset tum. What a good idea!

This is my organisational therapy space. I used a chrome adjustable shelf from Howards Storage. I have all my chopping boards on the side for easy retrieval from a chrome divider. I just place less used items and my trusty dish rack (yep! I haven't room for a dishwasher). I can still reach the larger steamer. Previous setups have included a microwave (until fridges became too big). Be careful with wine storage as it is too warm an area and can spoil the wine. Or just drink the wine quickly!

To findnicolemark..like your storage rack! How tall are you? I would not be able to reach the steamer...but maybe your frig is low. I have a dish rack, same reason, no room for a dishwasher, besides there's only me here and everyone else who visits washes their own. Thanks for the tip on the wine rack...but if I did it the bottles would be for show and be filled with coloured water..except for the brandy.

I'm 5ft 6in. I don't need to stretch. I also have a small plastic foldable stool which I hide down the side of my bar cart (the ones used on aircrafts). Not sure if your place gets dusty but those bottles will need cleaning. I had decorative items at one point but as they didn't get used they became dust collectors. Just start with an idea and if it doesn't work swap it out. Apparently I'm good at that as my Husband can't seem to find anything.

Hi Bhp, Bec & Barbara

Have you done anything above your fridge yet? ...long before I had the need, I saw in some display ideas shop, now closed, that had a pull down shelf that brought it down to arm level. Electric ones are also available. Do you want to know if I relocate it?

@brixnmorta,

Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness.

My kitchen in the new build hasn't begun yet and I expect it won't for at least another 12months but I have oddles of storage at ground level and see no reason to create storage above my head so as to require a stool, given I'm terribly height challenged anyway and nearing 60, so would prefer to stay off a ladder or stool but I would indeed like to see what you are talking about, as others may be be interested in it.

I googled it and this is similar.

Lo and behold it was on Houzz:

https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/modern-kitchen-modern-kitchen-toronto-phvw-vp~266816

To see others, google "pull down shelf au" & click on images.