The decision to ditch upper cabinets translates to getting creative with storage solutions. Whether you opt for open shelving or prefer drawers galore, here are kitchens with no upper cabinets that will inspire you to pursue the dramatic look.
There are some undeniable advantages to this: the airy feel, lots of room for windows — and also some undeniable disadvantages: the loss of storage, the prospect of bending down to get everything you need.
If you don't have any upper wall cabinets (or fewer cabinets in general) you'll have less storage space in your kitchen. This loss of storage can be a real deal breaker! Loss Of Function: For many, upper cabinets provide very functional storage.
In fact, some of our favorite designs have ditched them altogether. 'In lieu of kitchen cabinetry, the walls of kitchens can be transformed with shelving, art, and color, providing a daily dose of happiness,' enthuses Erica Davis, co-founder of Murus Art.
Bottom line, there's no doubt wall units remain in style and are an excellent investment for any home.
Kitchen Cabinets are often required to house a broad array of items. They must hold ingredients for baking and cooking, appliances, cookbooks, and many more things. When your kitchen has adequate cabinet space, it will be far easier to ensure effective organization in your kitchen area.
This is one of the main reasons designers and homeowners seem to be ditching the wall cabinets. There's been this ever-growing kitchen trend of trying to make our kitchens look less... kitcheny. And cutting out half of the cabinetry you would find in a 'traditional' kitchen is an easy way to do that.
More space & light
Removing the units gave the feeling of more space by opening up the whole side wall. The cupboards made it feel cramped and blocked light, removing them helped the light bounce around.
Is decorating above kitchen cabinets outdated? The short answer is no.
Shaker-Style Cabinets
Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, but they also work with a variety of home decor styles.
As we mentioned before, kitchen floors need to be able to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, so if they were glued or nailed down, it would impede this necessary movement and cause damage to the cabinets.
Upper cabinets are more expensive than open shelves, especially if you've decided to maximize your storage space and install upper cabinets that reach the ceiling.
You can either keep the backsplash at its standard size, which is 4-inch, run it shorter on the wall, or take it up to the ceiling. In each scenario, it works well. Of course, this decision is also shaped by the other design elements taking part in the existent narrative of the kitchen.
It just means that it's been designed to be easy to clean and maintain, a kitchen that can quietly fade into the background when not in use thanks to a minimalist color palette, plenty of hidden storage, a pared down layout, or a streamlined design that focuses on a few key decor elements.
You can replace your kitchen countertops without replacing the cabinetry if they are still in good condition. By doing this, your kitchen gets a new look, and you save some money too! Of course, like any renovation project, there are a few things you need to think about.
Ceiling-height cabinets can create a claustrophobic feeling in a small kitchen. Cabinets that run all the way to the ceiling can turn an otherwise large room into a cramped feeling space. That is why it is important to understand your design preferences before making a decision.
Removing wall cabinets is a common decision for people with small kitchens, as too many mounted units can make an already small space feel cramped. On the other hand, some homeowners with a generous amount of space may opt for a kitchen without wall cabinets simply due to aesthetic preference.
Shaker Doors
The most timeless kitchen cabinet door style is also a staple in transitional kitchen design: the shaker door.
Shaker-style cabinetry is a timeless design that fits any budget, whether it's small or unlimited.
1. Shaker. The most common style for cabinets today is the Shaker-style. The Shaker-style consists of five pieces of flat-panel, creating a frame with four pieces and with a single flat centre panel as the fifth piece.
Use lighter colors.
A light color on the walls and cabinets instantly brightens a space making it look larger and in turn, more expensive. Light colors reflect light and hide a multitude of sins, including those scratches, dings and dents in your old cabinets.
Bright white, off-white, soft white and cream will always be a popular choice for kitchen cabinets of every style, from ultra-modern to country cottages. The beauty of these laid-back neutrals is that they can be given a bespoke look with different worktop materials, brassware and wall colors.
Most expensive cabinetry products are made by experienced artisans with great craftsmanship in cabinet making. Even with the available manufacturing equipment and technology, most cabinet designs are made with hours of hands-on work so expect that you're also paying for their labor and expertise.