Kitchen Without Upper Cabinets: 5 Unspoken Advantages

Designers show perfect kitchens without upper cabinets, and you think: "It's beautiful, but where to put all the dishes?" The trend indeed has hidden pitfalls, but there are also less obvious benefits. Let's explore who this layout is suitable for and who should avoid experimenting, and how to solve storage issues without compromising style.

Main points from the article:

• Removing upper cabinets visually increases the kitchen by 20-30% and adds a sense of spaciousness;
• Natural light spreads more freely, which is especially important for northern kitchens;
• Cleaning becomes easier — no hard-to-reach shelves or grease buildup on upper fronts;
• Suitable for families with minimal dishware and those who love frequent kitchen updates;
• Requires perfect organization and a well-thought-out storage system in lower modules.

Air and Space: Psychology of Perception

Upper cabinets create psychological pressure, especially in small kitchens. The brain perceives them as a "ceiling" hovering above the head. Removing them gives you the feeling of height and space even in a Khrushchyovka.

• Visually, the kitchen appears 20-30% larger. The gaze doesn't hit cabinets and freely glides along the walls to the ceiling. This technique is particularly effective in studios and kitchen-dining rooms where spatial unity is important.
• Low ceilings are no longer an issue. Without upper cabinets, a 2.5-meter ceiling height feels quite acceptable. Adding vertical decorative elements can visually raise the ceiling even higher.
• There is more light not only literally but also metaphorically. The space seems more joyful and inviting for longer stays in the kitchen.

Design: Liliya Asfandiyarova

Light Without Obstacles: Natural Light Works Better

Upper cabinets block up to 40% of natural light from the window. This is especially noticeable on kitchens with a window above the work zone. Without cabinets, light spreads freely throughout the room.

• Northern kitchens gain maximum benefit. Every ray of sunlight counts when windows face the shaded side. The absence of upper modules can compensate for insufficient natural lighting.
• Shadows disappear from the work zone. Hanging cabinets often create shaded areas on the countertop where it's inconvenient to cook. Without them, lighting becomes uniform across the surface.
• Artificial lighting works more efficiently. A chandelier or ceiling lights illuminate the entire kitchen, not just the center. Savings on additional task lighting.

Design: NINA and ANDREY KHARIN

Easy Cleaning: Fewer Surfaces — Fewer Problems

Upper cabinets are magnets for grease and dust. Especially the fronts above the stove, which need to be washed weekly. Without them, cleaning is reduced by orders of magnitude.

• Hard-to-reach spots disappear. Nobody likes climbing ladders to wash the top of tall cabinets. The maximum cleaning height is at apron level.
• Dust and cobwebs don't accumulate in corners between cabinets and ceiling. These zones are almost impossible to clean thoroughly without dismantling the furniture.
• The apron is easier to clean without hanging cabinets. Access to the upper part improves, allowing the use of a mops or long brushes instead of acrobatic stunts.

Design: Yuriy Vorobiev

Minimalist Aesthetics: Beauty in Simplicity

A kitchen without upper cabinets looks more modern and expensive. Clean lines, open walls, minimal details — all this creates a feeling of thoughtfully designed spaces.

• The apron becomes the main decorative element. Without cabinets, you can afford bold tiles, unusual textures, or even a fresco — nothing distracts attention.
• Furniture looks more elegant. Lower modules without heavy upper "companions" look lighter and more refined. Especially impressive are kitchens on legs.
• Opportunity for décor experiments. Open walls can be decorated with pictures, shelves, plants. The interior is easy to change without rearranging furniture.

Design: Ekaterina Lyubimkina

Savings at Purchase Stage

The cost of a kitchen drops by 30-40%. Upper cabinets are a substantial part of the budget, especially if we're talking about quality furniture.

• Less hardware — fewer breakdowns. Hinges, dampers, handles on upper cabinets wear out faster due to awkward opening angles.
• Installation is simpler and cheaper. No need to precisely align levels between upper and lower modules, no need to mount heavy cabinets to the wall.
• Ability to buy in stages. Start with lower modules, then add additional storage systems as needed.

Who This Kitchen Is NOT Suitable For

• Large families with children. The amount of dishes, food, and kitchenware in a family of 4-5 people requires maximum storage space.
• Those who love cooking complex dishes. A lot of spices, various types of cookware, and special tools need somewhere to be stored.
• Housewives who buy groceries in advance. Large stocks of grains, canned goods, and household chemicals require large storage systems.
• Those not ready for constant tidiness. Open shelves and countertops require perfect cleanliness. Any clutter immediately catches the eye.

Designer: Olga Shtennikova

Alternative Storage Solutions

• Tall penals up to the ceiling replace several upper cabinets. Place them along the edges of the kitchen to avoid dividing the space.
• An island or peninsula with additional drawers. If space allows, this is an ideal solution for increasing storage space.
• Open shelves look lighter than cabinets but require careful dish selection and constant tidiness. They look great in niches or as a replacement for 1-2 upper modules.
• Mobile storage systems: carts, shelving on wheels can be moved around the kitchen and stored when not needed.

Compromise Options

• Partial removal of upper cabinets. Keep them only in storage zones, removing them above the work surface. A compromise between functionality and aesthetics.
• Replacing part of the cabinets with open shelves. Alternating closed and open elements creates an interesting rhythm in the interior.
• Upper cabinets only up to mid-wall. Leaves space for decoration and a sense of air, but main storage remains.
• Transparent fronts instead of solid ones. Visually lighter, but functionality remains the same level.

How to Make a Decision

• Do an inventory of kitchen utensils. Count how much real storage space you actually need. Perhaps half of the dishes are used once a year.
• Try living for a month using only lower cabinets. Remove everything from the upper ones and assess if there's enough space and convenience.
• Consider your lifestyle. If you cook rarely and prefer ordering food, minimal storage might be sufficient.
• Think about the future. Is family expansion planned? Will the eating style change? A kitchen is bought for 10-15 years.

Kitchen without upper cabinets is not just a designer whim but a conscious choice of a certain lifestyle. It suits people who value spaciousness more than maximum functionality and are ready to maintain perfect order for aesthetic pleasure. If you recognize yourself in this description — boldly experiment. If not — perhaps consider compromise options.

Cover: Design Project by Olga Dubrovskaya