The Kitchen Cabinet Trend That Creates An Open And Clean Aesthetic

Colorful cabinets, ceiling-high cupboards, flat panels, glass doors, and ornament hardware — the list goes on. They're all kitchen cabinet trends that come and go. It's the natural cycle of interior design. But there's a trend that's raising eyebrows, as it's doing away with the cabinets — upper cabinets to be exact. Removing the cupboards from the walls is thought to open up the kitchen and create an airy atmosphere. While this no uppers trend is a brilliant way to make your kitchen more aesthetic, it is not the most functional design, especially in a home where storage space is a valuable commodity.

We do have to admit that eliminating the upper cabinets does create a gorgeous modern minimalist look that embraces simplicity and cleanliness. If you want to renovate the kitchen, why not remove the wall cupboards? It's a simple change that will make a huge difference in your home. Then, you'll have the freedom to design the walls as you please, and you can repurpose those upper kitchen cabinets to create stylish custom storage in another room. It can be a great excuse to become more intentional with the items you keep and declutter the novelty mugs or cooking tools you never use. Sometimes, as they say, less is more.

The appeal of this trend mainly lies within the design aspect. Without the upper cabinets, your walls become a blank canvas for creativity. You can incorporate decorative tilework, wallpaper, ceiling trim, and paint to really enhance the room. Further, the clunky boxes aren't there to crowd your line of sight and distract from other focal points like countertops and light fixtures. It can also make the kitchen feel larger as your eyes trail all the way up the wall instead of a few inches below where cabinets jut out. The extra inches of visual depth and sleek walls cement a contemporary style that's very ethereal, reminiscent of a luxury hotel. It's an especially clean look when you have grand windows or high ceilings to complement the absentee cupboards. Plus, since there are fewer cabinets, it's easier and less expensive to renovate the kitchen.

On the other hand, having no upper cabinets may not be the most practical or perfect kitchen layout for your home. It eliminates roughly 50% of your storage space. Unless you have a massive island and walk-in pantry, the lower cabinets alone might not be sufficient for a functional kitchen. If you want the neat style of no uppers but can't risk the lack of storage, open shelving is a great alternative to blank walls. You'll still have an airy and clean aesthetic, but at least there'll be space for your dishware. Glass-front cabinets are another option that delivers on the artistic style without compromising space. The windows in the doors allow for a bright open feel, but you'll have storage that's protected from dust and grease, unlike with floating shelves.