Begone Upper Kitchen Cabinets!
Take a load off your kitchen wall and the room will feel lighter, brighter and full of potential
Louise O'Bryan
4 September 2016
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Are your bulky upper kitchen cabinets casting a gloomy shadow on your countertop? Is that awkward-to-reach top shelf a no-man’s land? Then consider replacing them with a whole new entity, or removing them altogether – radical, I know. Eliminating upper kitchen cabinets not only makes a room feel more spacious, it also frees up wall space that can then be used for anything from displaying bold artwork to showcasing statement tiles, or simply leaving blank for a clean, minimalist feel.
But there is a trade-off, and that’s losing a lot of storage space, so how do you embrace this minimalist look while retaining valuable storage? You might have to do a bit of reorganising and decluttering, but let’s face it, how often do you use that cupcake maker anyway? And we’re not saying disregard all wall storage, we’re simply suggesting you reconsider your options – there are plenty of practical alternatives to unwieldy wall cabinets, as these kitchens will reveal.
But there is a trade-off, and that’s losing a lot of storage space, so how do you embrace this minimalist look while retaining valuable storage? You might have to do a bit of reorganising and decluttering, but let’s face it, how often do you use that cupcake maker anyway? And we’re not saying disregard all wall storage, we’re simply suggesting you reconsider your options – there are plenty of practical alternatives to unwieldy wall cabinets, as these kitchens will reveal.
Replace cabinets with easy-to-reach open shelves
The simplest way of retaining plenty of storage in a kitchen that doesn’t have wall units is by adding open shelves. Not only do these provide a practical solution for storing everyday essentials at arm’s length, they create a sense of space and airiness. What’s more, if you use crisp white glossy tiles behind the shelves, the light will bounce around the space even more and make the room feel super-bright.
10 Tips When Designing Open Shelving for Your Kitchen
The simplest way of retaining plenty of storage in a kitchen that doesn’t have wall units is by adding open shelves. Not only do these provide a practical solution for storing everyday essentials at arm’s length, they create a sense of space and airiness. What’s more, if you use crisp white glossy tiles behind the shelves, the light will bounce around the space even more and make the room feel super-bright.
10 Tips When Designing Open Shelving for Your Kitchen
Create a contrast
Open shelves can also be used to make a design statement when set against a bold, contrasting paint colour. If you have an open-plan kitchen/living room, consider extending the wall colour into the kitchen to create a living room feel, and add a few decorative objects to the shelves so it doesn’t feel so kitchen-y.
Open shelves can also be used to make a design statement when set against a bold, contrasting paint colour. If you have an open-plan kitchen/living room, consider extending the wall colour into the kitchen to create a living room feel, and add a few decorative objects to the shelves so it doesn’t feel so kitchen-y.
Show off architectural features
When you’ve been blessed with the beauty of an exposed brick wall, don’t be tempted to cover it up with kitchen cabinets. Instead, go for aesthetically pleasing items that will complement the rich colours and tones. Bold artwork definitely has a place in the kitchen when it’s chosen carefully to harmonise with its surroundings, and framed in a similar colour to the countertops or units to create cohesion.
When you’ve been blessed with the beauty of an exposed brick wall, don’t be tempted to cover it up with kitchen cabinets. Instead, go for aesthetically pleasing items that will complement the rich colours and tones. Bold artwork definitely has a place in the kitchen when it’s chosen carefully to harmonise with its surroundings, and framed in a similar colour to the countertops or units to create cohesion.
Create a ledge
Leaning frames has become a popular way of displaying artwork without having to make a permanent decision, or a permanent mark on the wall for that matter, so what better way to bring interest to cabinet-free areas? With a useful ledge built along the top of a tall backsplash, you’re free to display all your favourites and add a quirky touch at the same time.
Save the Wall: 7 Reasons to Lean - Not Hang - Art
Leaning frames has become a popular way of displaying artwork without having to make a permanent decision, or a permanent mark on the wall for that matter, so what better way to bring interest to cabinet-free areas? With a useful ledge built along the top of a tall backsplash, you’re free to display all your favourites and add a quirky touch at the same time.
Save the Wall: 7 Reasons to Lean - Not Hang - Art
Enhance the natural light
Bring the outside in with a ‘window backsplash’ fitted behind the countertop, so you can enjoy the view (assuming you have one) while you cook. Here, we also see how the absence of upper kitchen cabinets allows a beautiful rustic stone wall to create a seamless flow between the interior and exterior, with no visual interruptions. To make up for lost storage space, design an island with an abundance of storage underneath, and sacrifice the breakfast bar so you can you use both sides for accessible units.
Bring the outside in with a ‘window backsplash’ fitted behind the countertop, so you can enjoy the view (assuming you have one) while you cook. Here, we also see how the absence of upper kitchen cabinets allows a beautiful rustic stone wall to create a seamless flow between the interior and exterior, with no visual interruptions. To make up for lost storage space, design an island with an abundance of storage underneath, and sacrifice the breakfast bar so you can you use both sides for accessible units.
Make remaining cabinets disappear
Ok, so this isn’t technically an upper cabinet-free kitchen, but the clever use of paint makes the ones that are there barely noticeable. Painted in the same off-white as the wall panelling, the glass-fronted units fade into the background while the darker colour is continued across the bottom of the unit, so you can’t tell where the cabinets start or finish. What’s more, a high shelf adds more opportunity for storage while keeping items out of immediate sight.
Ok, so this isn’t technically an upper cabinet-free kitchen, but the clever use of paint makes the ones that are there barely noticeable. Painted in the same off-white as the wall panelling, the glass-fronted units fade into the background while the darker colour is continued across the bottom of the unit, so you can’t tell where the cabinets start or finish. What’s more, a high shelf adds more opportunity for storage while keeping items out of immediate sight.
Highlight the tiles
If you’ve fallen in love with a beautiful wall tile then here’s the opportunity to let it shine. Geometric patterns are on trend right now; team them with some bare bulbs and you have yourself a hipster haven. To continue the calm simplicity, try hanging a slick pan rack for a hard-working kitchen feel.
Browse more contemporary kitchen photos
If you’ve fallen in love with a beautiful wall tile then here’s the opportunity to let it shine. Geometric patterns are on trend right now; team them with some bare bulbs and you have yourself a hipster haven. To continue the calm simplicity, try hanging a slick pan rack for a hard-working kitchen feel.
Browse more contemporary kitchen photos
Make a big (back)splash
Make the most of your cabinet-free wall and create a dramatic statement with a boldly patterned glass backsplash. For a subtle yet impressive look, stick to the same tones throughout the kitchen so the statement wall doesn’t dominate, but simply blends with the base units and appliances.
Make the most of your cabinet-free wall and create a dramatic statement with a boldly patterned glass backsplash. For a subtle yet impressive look, stick to the same tones throughout the kitchen so the statement wall doesn’t dominate, but simply blends with the base units and appliances.
Consider a neat alternative
Handy nooks are often built into shower enclosures to keep the flooring free of clutter. Similarly, a useful row of inset shelves built behind the countertop will ensure it’s left clear for daily tasks. To ensure the base of each shelf can be cleaned and dusted easily, a thin piece of glass has been cut to fit each nook, while the same paint colour has been used on the walls, shelves and units for a contemporary, streamlined finish.
Handy nooks are often built into shower enclosures to keep the flooring free of clutter. Similarly, a useful row of inset shelves built behind the countertop will ensure it’s left clear for daily tasks. To ensure the base of each shelf can be cleaned and dusted easily, a thin piece of glass has been cut to fit each nook, while the same paint colour has been used on the walls, shelves and units for a contemporary, streamlined finish.
Cover the wall
If you’re still craving clear, empty walls but can’t stomach the idea of your items out on display, then opt for a bank of floor-to-ceiling cabinets along one side to keep your neat-freak side satisfied. This wall of units won’t feel as oppressive as upper kitchen cabinets, and you’ll still have the chance to show off that dazzling feature tile you’ve been eyeing up. Win-win!
TELL US
Have you banished bulky units on your kitchen walls? How have you made up for lost storage space? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more inspiring kitchen stories
If you’re still craving clear, empty walls but can’t stomach the idea of your items out on display, then opt for a bank of floor-to-ceiling cabinets along one side to keep your neat-freak side satisfied. This wall of units won’t feel as oppressive as upper kitchen cabinets, and you’ll still have the chance to show off that dazzling feature tile you’ve been eyeing up. Win-win!
TELL US
Have you banished bulky units on your kitchen walls? How have you made up for lost storage space? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more inspiring kitchen stories
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Should I put regularly used items such as mugs/glasses on the shelf so they don't have time to get dusty or should I put pretty storage jars up there and clean once a month (maybe
You have too many things if they gather dirt and grime on a shelf. We have an open shelf. All items are used regularly and therefore washed regularly.