If your older kitchen cabinets have a gap between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling, it doesn't have to be wasted space. Most commercially available cabinets only come in a few sizes, and they fall slightly short of the typical ceiling height. Those open spaces can be hard to use, difficult to dust and frustrating. Here are a few great tips for dealing with that gap.

Eliminate it With Custom Cabinets

This is probably the easiest method to eliminate that space, though arguably the most expensive. Work with a local custom cabinet shop to measure the distance from the bottom of your current cabinets to the ceiling and create cabinets that fill the whole space.

Not only will it give you more usable shelving, but it can give your kitchen a whole new look. When you order custom cabinets for your kitchen, you can have them constructed in the height that you want – no more open space. Once the cabinets are installed, finish off the look with crown molding atop the cabinets and you're sure to love the polished, cohesive look.

Make Use of it With Small Cabinets

If you aren't interested in replacing your existing cabinets with larger ones, think small instead. Another custom cabinet option to fill the space above your cabinets is to create more cabinets. You can convert that empty space into a short, small cabinet with matching cabinet faces and hardware.

This gives you a great space to put the dishes and other kitchen equipment that you don't use often. Depending on the height of the space between your cabinets and the ceiling, you may be surprised by the amount of storage space that you get.

Cover it With False Panels

Sometimes, that space just isn't big enough to do anything with. If it's too short for storage and you don't want to invest in all-new cabinets just yet, consider covering the space with false panels. These panels help to keep the dust and dirt from accumulating atop the cabinets, and can give your kitchen a fresh new look.  Finish off the panels with some crown molding to bring it all together. Since false panels need to be custom cut to fit the space, you may find that it's easier to work with a custom cabinet shop to have these panels crafted and installed.

With so many options to deal with that open space, there's sure to be something that will fit your kitchen. Talk with a custom cabinet manufacturer about which choice is best for your situation. (For more information, contact Oakville Kitchen Centre)