There is a particular kind of frustration that comes with any kitchen. No matter how carefully you organize it, there never seems to be quite enough room. The answer, in many cases, is to look up.
The space above standard kitchen cabinet ideas is often left unused, creating a gap between the cabinetry and ceiling that does little for the room. Taking kitchen storage all the way up uses that overlooked space while making the room feel sleeker. In Gisele Bündchen’s Florida home, floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinetry does exactly that, turning an entire wall into streamlined storage.
Professional organizers recommend making use of this vertical storage space for good reason. ‘As someone who loves creating organized and functional spaces, I can’t emphasize the benefits of tall, vertical cabinets enough,’ comments Meaghan Kessman, the founder of Meaghan Kessman Home Organization.
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Looking at Gisele’s kitchen, it’s easy to see the practical benefits of using the room’s full height. Here, the cabinetry runs to the ceiling, eliminating the usual gap above the upper cabinets while adding valuable storage.
Shop the Gisele Bündchen-Inspired Edit
Inspired by the pendant in Gisele’s home, this light features a clear glass disc that lets plenty of light through. Its old brass finish and simple silhouette bring a refined, understated look above any kitchen island.
French Kitchen Marble Fruit Bowl
With its natural veining and simple shape, this marble bowl is an easy way to add some character to a table. Fill it with fruit or nuts, or leave it empty on a coffee table or console where the marble can speak for itself.
The best kitchen accessories balance form and function, and this piece does both. Its rich grain and sculptural shape make it practical for everyday use while still looking considered against marble (combining wood and marble, just like Gisele).
Instead of investing in vertical cabinets, you can improve your storage system with baskets that make use of the space you already have. These wicker-style baskets add more texture, with rope detailing that gives them a crafted feel.
Marble Large Utensil Holder
Keep kitchen utensils neatly together with this white marble holder. Its simple design adds a little polish to the countertop, and it’s an easy way to get the marble look seen in Gisele’s kitchen.
These wire baskets are a simple way to keep drinks and snacks organized and close at hand. The open design lets you see what’s inside while keeping everything neatly contained.
‘Tall cabinets are fantastic for using vertical space efficiently. In the kitchen, they turn those often overlooked “dead” spaces into valuable storage for pantry items, cookware, and small appliances. This helps keep your counters clear and your kitchen clutter-free,’ Meaghan explains.
The highest cabinets are especially useful for things you don’t need every day. You can store bulk pantry supplies, serving pieces, and less frequently used appliances out of the way, leaving the more accessible areas for everyday essentials. Keeping those items behind closed doors also reduces clutter, allowing the warmth of the wooden kitchen cabinetry to carry more of the room’s design.
Inside, that storage can be just as flexible. ‘Adjustable shelves and compartments in tall cabinets allow for customized storage solutions. You can easily organize everything from baking sheets to cereal boxes, making sure every item has its own place,’ says Meaghan.
The design impact is just as significant. ‘Tall cabinets create a sleek, modern look by drawing the eye upward, making the room feel more spacious. They provide a clean, continuous line that adds a touch of elegance to any space,’ Meaghan says. In Gisele’s home, the strong vertical lines emphasize the height of the room and give the kitchen a more substantial, built-in feel.
The same principle can work throughout the home. ‘While they’re perfect in kitchens, tall cabinets also work wonders in bathrooms for storing towels and toiletries, in laundry rooms for detergents and cleaning supplies, and even in living rooms for books and decorative items,’ says Meaghan.
When floor space is limited, the walls still have plenty to offer. Taking cabinetry to the ceiling adds storage without taking up another inch of floor space, while giving the room a more cohesive finish. Just take it from Gisele, who has already mastered this for years.
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