Decorating
How to Make the Most of the Space Above a Door
Look up and be inspired to make use of this neglected niche
Whether as a small but valuable extra storage area or as a quirky place to display a collection, the area above a door shouldn’t be overlooked – especially in a small home. Will these ideas raise your expectations of what’s possible?
Head to the library
Alternatively, for a more substantial feel, create a library look with bookshelves on either side and running over the top of the door. A carpenter will be able to construct something like this, and will also be able to check the wall is strong enough to support all your weighty tomes.
Alternatively, for a more substantial feel, create a library look with bookshelves on either side and running over the top of the door. A carpenter will be able to construct something like this, and will also be able to check the wall is strong enough to support all your weighty tomes.
Display a collection
Draw the eye upwards with a display shelf. This idea makes the most of a room’s height, and is also a good bet if you’re wanting somewhere to display treasured objects that’s out of reach of inquisitive little hands or wagging tails…
Draw the eye upwards with a display shelf. This idea makes the most of a room’s height, and is also a good bet if you’re wanting somewhere to display treasured objects that’s out of reach of inquisitive little hands or wagging tails…
Store your wine
A customised wine rack slotted in above a laundry cupboard door and stacked washer-dryer combo shows how a bespoke solution can help to make the most of every last squeak of space. This style has been built under the slope of the ceiling, utilising an area that would otherwise have been wasted.
Take a look at these nifty storage ideas from Houzz Tours
A customised wine rack slotted in above a laundry cupboard door and stacked washer-dryer combo shows how a bespoke solution can help to make the most of every last squeak of space. This style has been built under the slope of the ceiling, utilising an area that would otherwise have been wasted.
Take a look at these nifty storage ideas from Houzz Tours
Let in more light
On an external door, consider raising the glazing right up to the ceiling, with an extra window panel above the door frame. This allows as much light as possible to flood into the room, and also gives a bigger view of the outside world.
It’s a trick that can sometimes work on internal doors, too, where a fully glazed door would be too much, but a sliver of extra light on one or both sides of the divide would be welcome.
Fancy a big rug like this? Check out what’s for sale in the Houzz Shop
On an external door, consider raising the glazing right up to the ceiling, with an extra window panel above the door frame. This allows as much light as possible to flood into the room, and also gives a bigger view of the outside world.
It’s a trick that can sometimes work on internal doors, too, where a fully glazed door would be too much, but a sliver of extra light on one or both sides of the divide would be welcome.
Fancy a big rug like this? Check out what’s for sale in the Houzz Shop
Keep time
Useful and decorative – tick both boxes with a clock above the doorway. When you can’t find your phone and you’ve forgotten to put your watch on, knowing there’s a trusty timepiece above the door will help you to stay on track.
Useful and decorative – tick both boxes with a clock above the doorway. When you can’t find your phone and you’ve forgotten to put your watch on, knowing there’s a trusty timepiece above the door will help you to stay on track.
Fill with crockery
Free up precious cupboard space by storing lesser-used kitchen crockery on a shelf above the door. Keeping to one colour, as seen here, stops the room looking too cluttered.
Free up precious cupboard space by storing lesser-used kitchen crockery on a shelf above the door. Keeping to one colour, as seen here, stops the room looking too cluttered.
Experiment with wallpaper
Dip your toe into bolder design waters with a small strip of highly patterned wallpaper above a door, as seen here. Panelling off the section below creates two distinct areas, and the small amount of wallpaper needed for the top part makes for a cost-effective way to add some oomph to a room.
Tie it into the rest of the room with soft furnishings in the same print. Here, there’s a matching upholstered window seat, but cushions alone would do the trick.
Dip your toe into bolder design waters with a small strip of highly patterned wallpaper above a door, as seen here. Panelling off the section below creates two distinct areas, and the small amount of wallpaper needed for the top part makes for a cost-effective way to add some oomph to a room.
Tie it into the rest of the room with soft furnishings in the same print. Here, there’s a matching upholstered window seat, but cushions alone would do the trick.
Spell out a mantra
We all need a little day-to-day inspiration in our lives, and a few wise words above the door could be just the thing to jolly up you and your home. From colourful letters to ornate script, the choice of style – and words – is endless.
We all need a little day-to-day inspiration in our lives, and a few wise words above the door could be just the thing to jolly up you and your home. From colourful letters to ornate script, the choice of style – and words – is endless.
Dig deep
Not all doors are made equal, of course, and above each of these diddy eaves cupboard doors, a recess has been carved out to store bedside essentials, thus removing the need for space-hogging tables.
Tell us…
Have you used the space above any of your doors in a creative way? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Not all doors are made equal, of course, and above each of these diddy eaves cupboard doors, a recess has been carved out to store bedside essentials, thus removing the need for space-hogging tables.
Tell us…
Have you used the space above any of your doors in a creative way? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
The most obvious – and common – use of above-door space is for books. This home just has a single bookshelf running along the top of the wall, which is very simple look to achieve.