This “English-Style” Kitchen Feature Is a Pain to Keep Clean

When my boyfriend and I were looking for our first apartment together a few months ago, there were a few non-negotiables that took priority during our search: A huge closet and a double-sink setup in the main bathroom for me, and a parking spot and high ceilings for him. Now that we’re moved in, however, I’ve found something that I’ll be adding to our next search. The cabinets in our kitchen don’t go all the way up to our almost-12-foot-tall ceiling, which means that there’s a gap between them that easily accumulates dust.

I only really thought about that awkward space after seeing an Instagram Reel shared by Sharie Shepherd-Bouge (@CleaningFairySharie33). The creator showed how she had to use gloves, a spatula-like tool, and likely a face mask to purge several years’ worth of grime from the top of some shorter kitchen cabinets. I was instantly grossed out. 

That foot-tall gap at the top of my white cabinets, I realized, probably also has a thick, hard-to-reach shelf of dust that has been secretly accumulating on top. I’m far from alone in this dilemma: These kitchen cabinets that don’t reach the top of the ceiling, otherwise known as an English-inspired kitchen cabinet, are common everywhere and have gone in and out of style over the years. 

Of course, not all homes with high ceilings have these English-style cabinets, but it’s more likely when taller cabinetry designs might make the kitchen look a little top-heavy. Experts and home design amateurs are split on the once-“dated” choice, with interior design buff Shea McGee of Studio McGee arguing that it adds light, visual interest, and more balance to certain kitchens. 

On the flip side, other people rightfully pointed out that this dead space can be a high-maintenance feature to clean. As one person pointed out on McGee’s TikTok, dust “collects fast” and it can be near impossible to regularly get rid of it unless you have a tall ladder.

I don’t hate my kitchen cabinets — but it is a tricky kitchen storage problem I’m going to have to work around as a renter. Several people noted in the comment section of the above Instagram post that they put parchment, newspaper, and paper towels on top of their cabinets, then easily change them out when they get dusty.

Personally, I like how my above-cabinet gap looks — especially with ceiling lights adding a bit of brightness to that area — but I’m inspired to figure out a long-term cleaning solution. Plus, now that it’s on my radar I’ll be adding some plants, paintings, and other decor to brighten up this forgotten space and add some extra character to my kitchen.