I'd put plants!

I have a tiny studio and did this, but it is hard to keep everything clean in the baskets. I don't cook a lot of greasy food, but there always seems to be a layer of grime on this stuff! Not to mention that the baskets are nearly impossible to clean. Tips anyone?

No basket storage--I only have about 7 inches of clearance between the cabinets and the ceiling. However, I did save a bunch of pasta sauce jars, and keep my dry goods in those. They're rectangular jars, so I can just turn them on their sides with the lids facing out, propped up on the lip of the cabinet. They're great for storing beans, rice, nuts, and dried fruit. Plus, the brass lids are pretty striking. Every time I have company, someone inevitably comments on them. (It helps, for the sake of aesthetics, that I'm addicted to one particular brand of pasta sauce-gives it a more uniform look.)

To play devil's advocate: if you use something so rarely that it's not a hassle to go up and bring the basket down and then put it away again, do you really need that thing you're putting away? Fancy linens and party server ware can be stored up there but wouldn't they all the greasy and dusty? I personally don't like the look of clutter on top of cabinets (granted the same style basket is a better option to the alternative). The last image with the different size baskets looks like they're used for purely decorative purposes and is the only picture that doesn't make me feel claustrophobic but that's probably because the ceiling there is so high.

Cute looking but impractical - fine if you prefer form over function (and, hey, don't we all make concessions either way when we make purchasing decisions like this?), but I agree with other commenters that upkeep and grime would make me think twice before committing to something like this.

However, wooden, metal, or some sort of flashy plastic would work like a charm if you need the extra storage - I'd imagine it would be much easier to wipe down a metal box than a basket.

Lenzai, I use baskets mainly for things that are best stored in drawers, I don't have many drawers so I keep all my kitchenaid and food processor attchments stored in them, as well as my cookie and cupcake baking stuff. It is mildly harder to get stuff out than if it were in a drawer but still not much of a hassle.

I think it's a nifty idea. And just put a tea towel or something over the stuff in the basket- boom! Problem solved :)

I use wooden wine crates. It's a plus if you can find crates with winery info embossed on the crate...

That first picture looks super photoshopped and weird.... especially that back window. I suppose it's the camera angle?

Baskets like that attract dirt and bugs, no thanks.

Where would my cat sit to survey her realm? She'd be very annoyed if she were limited to the top of the fridge.

all i think is: SPIDERS! ...no thanks.

a kitchen looks better with cabinets to the ceiling...and cleaner too

Sometimes this is simply the best option.

I ended up with 12 ikea baskets above my cabinets (that go almost exactly to the ceiling). They hold all the things you need to keep but don't need regularly. LIke extra large containers of spices to refill the smaller containers, seasonal cookie cutters, international travel accessories and painting supplies. And frankly even if I didn't need the storage (which I do) it looks a lot better than fake plants or collections of junk. Why can't cabinets to the ceiling just be standard!

I agree with @kristenwi. Just put a kitchen towel over the appliances and they wont be covered in dust or grime. My problem would be forgetting whats up there! But I love this idea!

Kitchen cabinets DO look better all the way to the ceiling -- but for some reason most houses don't have that. And redoing cabinets costs a mint. Drives me nuts.