Small kitchens require rational planning that sometimes involves using practically every centimeter of available space. Especially when it comes to storing kitchen appliances, various accessories, pots, dishes, etc. If there is a lot of this and the kitchen is small, it is difficult to imagine the space without upper cabinets. The situation is somewhat different when we have a large kitchen or not many items to store; then we can afford a kitchen without hanging cabinets. In other words, a kitchen without upper cabinets is not for everyone, but it can be super functional.
What will you learn from this article?
- Why a kitchen without hanging cabinets can be very practical.
- What alternative solutions for this kind of furniture do we distinguish?
- Who can benefit the most from not having hanging furniture in the kitchen.
Kitchen without Hanging Cabinets
Minimalism has also reached kitchens. More and more people are deciding, for example, to arrange a kitchen without hanging upper cabinets. All the necessary appliances and devices in the kitchen can be stored in cabinets located under the countertop or in shelves placed along the chosen wall. Often, instead of hanging upper cabinets, a floor-to-ceiling build is designed, creating an elegant, uniform surface that is easy to keep clean.
The absence of upper cabinets can give the interior lightness, as well as showcase stylish decorations or originally finished walls. Instead of hanging cabinets, you can find a beautiful kitchen wallpaper or tiles arranged in a fancy way on the wall. There is also the option to decorate entire walls or only a selected fragment of it, for example, over the worktop and around the sink.
Where to Store Necessary Items in a Kitchen without Upper Cabinets?
When arranging a kitchen, you can let your imagination run wild or introduce solutions observed in interior magazines into your home. The absence of hanging cabinets does not mean a lack of storage space. Yes, this may require a suitable amount of cabinet and drawer space, but it is doable. Upper cabinets can be successfully replaced, for example, with cargo cabinets, which make it easy to manage even hard-to-reach spaces.
If you have designer kitchen accessories, you can use them as somewhat exotic decorations in the living space. A colorful espresso machine placed on the countertop or an originally looking kitchen robot will become a unique decoration of the kitchen interior. Lower cabinets and drawers are an excellent place to store plates and tableware, while cabinets equipped with pull-out shelves are perfect for storing pots and pans.
Kitchen without Upper Cabinets, or Focus on Space
A small kitchen, where storage spaces are limited to cabinets and drawers built into the countertop and standing on the floor, automatically becomes more spacious. You can use the empty space to display family photos or hang a board for recording important information, or decorate it with original wall tiles.
In a large kitchen, numerous drawers that can be built not only into the countertop but also into the kitchen island come in handy. The absence of upper cabinets does not mean we have less space - quite the opposite. Thus, it is easier to use the available space in a more rational manner, which is an excellent way to get rid of excess items in the kitchen.
Why Should You Give Up Upper Cabinets in the Kitchen and What Benefits Does It Bring?
Opting out of upper cabinets in the kitchen can bring a number of practical and aesthetic benefits.
- This layout allows for a more spacious and minimalist arrangement. In small kitchens, the absence of upper cabinets visually enlarges the space, and in large interiors, it allows the walls to be used more creatively. Instead of typical cabinets, open shelves, decorative tiles, or wallpapers that add character to the kitchen can be applied.
- Moreover, the absence of upper cabinets is practical for shorter people who often have difficulty reaching high shelves. This solution also helps maintain order—limiting storage space forces the removal of excess items and focusing on what is truly needed. Therefore, people who do not like cleaning too often, among others, will appreciate the lack of upper cabinets.
Open Shelves and Other Alternatives: How to Manage Space without Upper Cabinets?
Open shelves are an excellent alternative to traditional upper cabinets. You can place not only dishes or containers with food products on them but also:
- potted plants,
- cookbooks
- decorative accessories.
Thanks to this, the kitchen acquires a more personal character and becomes part of the living space. Another option is cargo cabinets, which offer plenty of storage space while utilizing hard-to-reach spaces in the lower parts of the build. If you want maximum organization, investing in a floor-to-ceiling build is worthwhile. This solution makes the entire wall a uniform surface, which gives the interior a modern and elegant look.
Creative Use of a Free Wall in the Kitchen – Decorations and Functionality
A free wall that appears after giving up upper cabinets opens up many arrangement possibilities. You can decorate it with original tiles, which will serve both a decorative and practical function, protecting the surface from dirt. Another idea is to use a waterproof phototapete that will lend the interior a unique character. The wall can also be used functionally—hang a cork or magnetic board on it, where you can record important information, recipes, or shopping lists. If you like art, you can create a gallery of photos or paintings that will bring a warm and family atmosphere to the kitchen.
How to Keep Order in a Kitchen without Upper Cabinets? Practical Tips
A kitchen without upper cabinets requires a well-thought-out organization system. It is worth investing in drawers with pull-out shelves, which facilitate access to stored items. An excellent idea is also to use organizers, which will help in maintaining order in the lower cabinets. The countertop can be reserved for only the most necessary appliances, such as a kettle or coffee machine, while the rest is stored in the lower cabinets. This way, the worktop remains free and ready for use. However, if you like having everything at hand, open shelves can be a place for the most frequently used dishes or spices. Keep in mind, though, that this solution requires regular cleaning to maintain the kitchen's aesthetic appearance.
Minimalist Kitchen without Upper Cabinets – How to Create a Harmonious Space?
Minimalism is a trend that is gaining popularity, also in kitchen arrangements. Opting out of upper cabinets is a step towards simplifying the space and focusing on what is most important. The key to success, however, is a well-thought-out arrangement. Choose neutral colors and materials that will harmonize with each other. Instead of cabinets, apply a uniform lower build, which provides enough storage space. If you want a "wow" effect, go for designer additions, such as an original hood, impressive lighting, or decorative wall tiles. Such a kitchen will be not only functional but also exceptionally aesthetic.
What Instead of Hanging Upper Cabinets?
The kitchen countertop is worth using as an excellent place for storing everyday kitchen appliances: kettle, toaster, mixer, coffee machine, or juicer. You can also place a container for storing bread, a butter dish, a spice rack on the countertop. Meanwhile, dishes, pots, cutlery, and food products will find their place in cabinets and drawers.
Instead of upper cabinets, various types of open shelves are great. You can place not only aesthetic containers with food products on them, but it is also a great place to set potted plants. All you need to do is choose matching pots, and you will have a beautiful decorative element. On the shelf, you can also place a collection of cookbooks or original kitchen gadgets.
By giving up the upper build, you gain a piece of free wall that adds more space to the kitchen. The benefits do not stop only at the visual effects; such a kitchen can simply be more convenient, especially for individuals of shorter height, who do not comfortably reach higher cabinets. Necessary items located somewhere higher have to be retrieved while standing on a chair or even a small ladder. In the absence of upper cabinets, this problem disappears. However, another issue arises—hiding sweets from curious children becomes more difficult. Finding other interesting articles on our blog, such as what should be in a well-designed kitchen?
Summary
Minimalism has also reached kitchens. More and more people are deciding, for example, to arrange a kitchen without hanging upper cabinets. All necessary appliances and devices in the kitchen can be stored in cabinets located under the countertop or in shelves placed along the chosen wall. Often, instead of hanging upper cabinets, a floor-to-ceiling build is designed, creating an elegant, uniform surface that is easy to keep clean. A white kitchen without upper cabinets is a particularly popular solution that adds lightness and a modern character to the interior. This makes the kitchen arrangement more spacious and functional.
The absence of upper cabinets can give the interior lightness, as well as showcase stylish decorations or originally finished walls. Instead of hanging cabinets on the wall, you can find a beautiful kitchen wallpaper or tiles arranged in a fancy way. There is also the option to decorate entire walls or only a selected fragment of it, for example, above the worktop and around the sink. A kitchenette without upper cabinets is an excellent solution for those who value open space and minimalist design. In this case, the wall in the kitchen without hanging cabinets can become a place for displaying decorations or functional additions, such as shelves or lighting.
A small kitchen, where storage spaces are limited to cabinets and drawers built into the countertop and standing on the floor, automatically becomes more spacious. You can use the empty space to display family photos or hang a board for recording important information, or decorate it with original wall tiles. A kitchen with only lower cabinets is a solution that works particularly well in small spaces, where every centimeter of space matters. This helps avoid a sense of crowding and creates a harmonious arrangement.
In a large kitchen, numerous drawers that can be built not only into the countertop but also into the kitchen island come in handy. The absence of upper cabinets does not mean we have less space—quite the opposite. Thus, it is easier to use the available space in a more rational manner, which is an excellent way to get rid of excess items in the kitchen. A white kitchen without upper cabinets is a proposal for those who are looking for ready-made furniture solutions at attractive prices. However, it is worth remembering that such an arrangement requires thoughtful planning to maintain both functionality and aesthetics of the interior.