7 reasons to ditch cabinets |

Kitchen area cupboards are typically considered a very important component in the kitchen area furnishing added storage for crockery, spices and smaller appliances, nonetheless, the hottest kitchen types have performed away with individuals bulky higher cabinets.
As it turns out, the area amongst the countertop and ceiling is ripe for rediscovery. Decorating above decreased kitchen area cabinets is a amazing way to fill the house with an appealing feature, rather than just allowing it obtain dust or be filled with uninteresting storage.
But will this development catch on? Certainly, we think so. Wall decor thoughts – somewhat than upper kitchen area cabinets – can, in fact, give your place a entire new character. Here, we choose you by means of the most effective kitchens with out wall cupboards, moreover give you a good deal of inspiration for your possess kitchen area transform.
Do you have to have wall cupboards in a kitchen area?
The brief response is no, you undoubtedly don’t need to have wall cupboards in a kitchen. In point, some of our favorite designs have ditched them altogether.
‘In lieu of kitchen area cabinetry, the partitions of kitchens can be reworked with shelving, art, and coloration, supplying a day by day dose of happiness,’ enthuses Erica Davis, co-founder of Murus Artwork (opens in new tab).
So if you happen to be eager to give your kitchen area a complete new appear for 2023, we have curated the very best means to fashion a kitchen area without having wall cupboards – together with inspiring photos of kitchens – to assist you remodel your area for the better.
1. Go for a basic shelf or screen
(Impression credit rating: Lonika Chande)
‘It could possibly feel counter-intuitive in a little kitchen area wherever room is at a high quality, but until the ceilings are quite large I like to do away with wall cupboards altogether in favor of shelving,’ suggests inside designer Lonika Chande (opens in new tab).
‘It appears to be like considerably superior and opens up the room. I am generally on the lookout for vintage shop fittings and characterful reclaimed planks that can be repurposed as shelves. I then decant what I can into Kilner jars for display, together with stacks of crockery, linen, and the odd jug. I love absolutely nothing far more than to be still left to it with my Kilner jars and a Dymo labeling device – unbelievably enjoyable function and so visually pleasing as well.’
2. Decorate higher than kitchen area cabinets
(Image credit score: Jessica Summer)
The greatest smaller kitchen layouts are important when creating a kitchen area that helps make the most out of a space with less area than you’d like. If your space is minimal in room or cavern-like, you could possibly want to think about performing absent with wall cupboards altogether. You are going to be grateful for the further kitchen wall decor room, also.
‘When arranging a modest kitchen area, you might contemplate averting the “fully fitted” glance and perhaps have open up shelves earlier mentioned the reduce cabinets or use glass in the upper cabinets to deliver a degree of reflection and added depth,’ states Claire Sa, director, De Rosee Sa (opens in new tab).
3. Hold wall area no cost for decorative artwork
(Graphic credit history: Kitesgrove)
‘Wall units can overwhelm a small kitchen,’ suggests Katie Lion, senior interior designer, Kitesgrove (opens in new tab). ‘Sometimes much less is far more. In this kitchen, we determined not to hold wall cupboards to maintain the gorgeous purely natural mild and airy atmosphere and assistance the space feel substantially even larger. The eye is still left no cost to wander previously mentioned the base models to the focal point, a significant artwork complete of pattern and color, and a hanging bronze wall sconce, which is both equally sculptural and purposeful.
‘To compensate for lowered kitchen area storage, we propose drawers under countertops as they are easier to navigate in a limited place than cupboards, and a slender breakfast bar for supplemental seating with no using up too a lot area.’
4. Retain the kitchen absolutely free from litter and chaos
(Impression credit score: Paul Massey)
Fully doing absent with higher kitchen area cupboards can not only make your modest kitchen look bigger, but also enable to clear the clutter and chaos in this large-visitors space.
With fast paced fashionable life, householders are now a lot more informed of their decorating selections and goal to come across a balance among streamlined minimalism and high-class ease and comfort for their kitchen area concepts. This minimalist kitchen area is a masterclass in holding things simple.
Minimalism is rooted in the principle of ridding this multi-useful place of avoidable muddle. It is also about harnessing the electrical power of a ‘clean’ room that characteristics only a number of significant, beneficial goods.
5. Maximize wall area
(Impression credit history: Studio Ben Allen)
If your kitchen area proportions are minimal, introduce a attractive display screen on partitions and adorn above kitchen area cabinets. Architect Ben Allen of Studio Ben Allen (opens in new tab) emphasizes the useful purpose of shelving higher than the kitchen countertop in bijou kitchen area structure.
‘We really like furnishing room to display all factors cooking and food stuff-related, so we frequently design and style open cabinets and no wall cupboards by any means,’ he suggests. ‘On the cheapest shelf, there will be place for objects that are utilised each and every day – salt and pepper, oil and vinegar, perhaps an open up bottle of wine and pots of herbs.’
He may possibly incorporate a rail for hanging tea towels, cooking implements, little pans, or strings of onions and garlic. Greater cabinets can be utilized for interesting cups, teapots, and china, and variations in peak and depth can provide playful touches to the layout.
6. Place the target on shade rather
(Image credit rating: Middleton )
Not all kitchens with out wall cabinets are devoid of space or are small in charm. Make a conscious design selection about what to put on screen and what to conceal from perspective, and use kitchen colour to showcase your creative imagination as an alternative.
For a really modern day kitchen aesthetic, conceal the functional components such as ovens and other appliances in decrease cabinetry as this will soften the influence on the room.
For house owners worried of lacking out on the latest vogue for coloration, painting the lower cupboards and island in vibrant hues, or a two-tone kitchen area shade scheme could be the remedy, as shown in this colorful kitchen by Jasper Middleton, design and style director, Middleton Bespoke (opens in new tab).
7. Display jars and crockery on open up shelves
(Graphic credit rating: Long term/Paul Massey)
It’s not only modern-day kitchens that are starting off to forgo wall cabinets. This style aesthetic is effective wonderfully in place, cottage, and vintage kitchens. If you wish to display vertically, search to shelves and hooks. Kitchen area shelving thoughts, particularly open shelving are a good option if you are the proud proprietor of an remarkable crockery selection, or are a keen cook who appreciates getting ingredients close at hand.
Not every thing requirements to be hidden away when it comes to storage. In fact, decorative kitchen area storage ideas and remedies can make a substantial big difference to your kitchen’s search and truly feel.
For a stylized search, stack collections of your favorite crockery, line up contemporary herbs, and include little parts of artwork along a run of open up shelving.