OK, so upperless isn’t really a word – but it should be :-) When we did our kitchen makeover last year, we had to take down the upper cabinets so that we could cut out the old backsplash. I loved how open the kitchen felt without the upper cabinets, and I suggested to hubby that we not put them back up. That plan didn’t fly, so back up they went. But if I was designing a new kitchen from scratch, I would definitely skip the upper cabinets. Here are some examples of why I love this look.
I’d much rather have a wall of windows that a wall of cabinets. Look at how bright and airy these kitchens are…
Image via Country Living
![No Upper Cabinets -Southern Accents March 2009 Kitchen - 4[3] (1)](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TXj-1y-3fxI/AAAAAAAADX4/1vZqCxkZgyM/s1600-h/No%20Upper%20Cabinets%20-Southern%20Accents%20March%202009%20Kitchen%20-%204%5B3%5D%20%281%29%5B3%5D.jpg "No Upper Cabinets -Southern Accents March 2009 Kitchen - 4[3] (1)")
Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik, image via Southern Accents
Design by Susan Marinello, photograph by John Granen, image via Traditional Home
Design by and image via Katie Denham
Image via Lonny
This kitchen just wouldn’t have the same open and light feeling if it had upper cabinets. And where would that massive vase of greenery go? ;-)
Image via Simply Elegant Home Designs
A kitchen without upper cabinets has the look and feel of a more loungey space.
Source unknown
Image via Driftwood Interiors
Of course, if you don’t have upper cabinets, you need to bring in other ways to store dishes and other kitchen items. The cabinet and island in this kitchen both provide ample amounts of storage.
The Gift Home in Ottawa has no uppers, but a wall of cabinetry provides lots of storage and display space.
Another storage idea is open shelves. Have I mentioned that I have a serious design crush on black steel framed windows and doors?
Design by Jill Brinson, photograph by Rob Brinson, image via House Beautiful
Design by Renae Abbott
Above two designs by and images via Walda Pairon
Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik, image via Southern Accents
Design by Urban Grace Interiors, image via Driftwood Interiors
An interesting twist on open kitchen shelving.
Image via Decorpad
This is quite possibly my very favourite kitchen of all time. Vienna Way Residence was designed by the architectural firm Marmol Radziner and Associates, and Mr. Radziner lives here with his family. The entire home is spectacular, but this kitchen is just beyond stunning. (You can read more about Vienna Way in this post over at DesignTies).
How do you feel about upper cabinets in a kitchen – ditch them or can’t live without them?
Don’t forget to check out today’s Extreme Makeover donor profile on the Ottawa International Airport Authority over at Maureen at MODECOR Muses.
If you want your home to reflect who you are and what you love, drop me a line for an in-person or online consultation.
If I had the space and layout I would totally have an upperless kitchen! Would love a wall of windows too!
ReplyDeleteI would go topless...oops, I mean upperless as well if space permitted. These kitchens are all fabulous eye candy..
ReplyDeleteLove them! adore #12 & 14...would have in a minute.
ReplyDeleteI would love to ditch my uppers. I already only have 4 single upper cabinets, so I'm pretty sure I could do without. If I could add the stretch of windows, I would do it in a second!
ReplyDeleteKelly, I'm with you. I love that look!
ReplyDeleteI'm ditching mine in my new kitchen and can't wait- love the look. So much inspiration here- fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing.. but yes, I'd need a much bigger kitchen space and alternatives to store all my stuff!
ReplyDeleteI love the open shelf look, too, but I don't think its possible with my 2 bunnies.. there'll be just too much dust and bunny fluff flying around.. I'd have to dust all day long :P
I'd definitely consider going upperless!! Many reasons, including that I am too short to reach anything up there any ways! I would dream of having a kitchen big enough that the lowers could store everything!!
ReplyDeleteNancy xo
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI love the upperless importance of this post. Designs can appear very modern but as we reach these stages of a virtual world and have the technology within every part of our homes we will be living with less in terms of storage areas. So I love it and look forward to living with less areas but with more light and space.
Bette
These are all brilliant examples of 'upperless' kitchens! WE have lived sans uppers for a few months now and while I like the look, I am *dying* to get the upper cabinets in for storage purposes, we're also putting up some shelves too, our kitchen is too small and lacks enough storage to not have the uppers, but I agree, if space and budget were unlimited I'd probably skip them so that I could also have large vases of greenery..(and I'd also put in black steel framed windows - another design crush we have in common)!!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness I am in love! I think the first one is my favorite. I wish I had the space to have enough lowers that I didn't need uppers. If there is enough storage, I say go topless! Woot!
ReplyDeleteI could never go upperless - I just need the storage too badly !
ReplyDeleteI love the look of upperless kitchens! Wish I had the floor space to put in all the lower cabinets I'd need for storage. Think this type of kitchen would work best in a house design that gives the kitchen three outside walls (for all the windows I'd want)
ReplyDeleteOkay, a sunken kitchen overlooking a pool...I might just be able to go upperless! Great collection! Please tell me why you aren't featured at Houzz?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I love kitchens without any upper cabinets or at least with very few. That is very European. Europeans are far more efficient than us and they also aren't as obsessed with having so much 'stuff' as we North Americans are.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you found so many outstanding examples. Love them all!
Thanks for the credit - enjoy reading your posts!
ReplyDelete