Ditching Upper Cabinets: Fashionable or Foolish?
- Hoyt Family Group
- Oct 4, 2019
- 3 min read
Depending on your opinion on the matter, the current trend popping up in kitchens may either excite or horrify you! Modern design has long shifted towards minimalism as a concept, and it seems like it was only a matter of time before it came for one of the most cluttered spaces of most people’s homes: their kitchens. Whether a remodel or new construction, more and more people are choosing to ditch their upper cabinetry! There’s no debating that the removal of above-counter cabinets makes a kitchen seem more open and modern, but is it worth it? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons, and try to determine why people would be opting for this somewhat bizarre trend.
There Is Always A Cost
Potentially, one of the driving forces behind this trend might be found in the pocket book. Kitchen’s are expensive, and cabinets can eat up a huge chunk of your budget. Opting to not install upper cabinets can essentially cut that price tag in half, meaning that you can shift more of your money to higher grade appliances, better countertops, or you might choose to reduce the overall budget of your project. Fiscally, it makes sense!
But, as in all things, there is a cost. What you may save in money, you give up in functionality. People store everything from cookware and dishes to spices and snacks in their upper cabinets. Taking them out might leave you scratching your head regarding where to put these things now that half of your storage is gone. Those with generous pantry space may not see this as an issue, but for those with more modest shelving options, it may be a significant consideration.
Look At Those Clear Walls!
Aesthetic may also be a major motivating factor here. If done well, a counter to ceiling backsplash can look incredible, and the more open, decluttered appearance can be consequential to the overall look and feel of a kitchen.
In contrast to the open, airy feel of a kitchen without upper cabinets, a small kitchen can feel even more cramped and suffocating if you have above counter storage. While using brighter colors and having adequate lighting can help, it can only go so far when space is at a premium.
There are those that far prefer a traditional style, but if modern is your goal, unburdened walls can certainly add a dash of “2019” to your kitchen.
Open shelving has been played with a bit, but this can quickly look tacky unless you have perfectly matched dishware, and only enough glasses, mugs, etc. to fit comfortably on the shelves. Any sort of clutter will quickly negate any aesthetic benefits you may have hoped to gain.
Looking To The Future
Like many other markets, the housing and construction industry is forward looking and future minded. It is always striving to chase that latest trend, or follow the newest fad in an effort to stand out from the competition.
It is no great secret that millennials don’t cook as much as the generations that came before them. Bearing this in mind, it is possible that upper cabinets are believed to just not be as necessary as they once were. Younger generations have fewer kitchen related items to store than their parents and grandparents did. If you see the flaw in this idea, you’re not alone. However, there are those of America’s youth who posit that they just don’t need that much space.
Fashionable or Foolish?
What do you think? Is the modern, clean aesthetic of removing your upper cabinets worth it, or do you prefer the traditional look and increased functionality of a fully featured kitchen? Let us know in the comments below!
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