Some home features are just a given. Living rooms have couches, bathrooms have ventilation fans, and kitchens have cabinets. Or do they? A design debate has officially been sparked on whether upper cabinets in the kitchen are necessary, and people have heated thoughts on the matter.
For example, interior designer Lily Walters recently took to Instagram to share her own kitchen renovation, which notably does not have plans for upper cabinetry.
In the video, she ponders, “Are upper cabinets dying, because this week on 'things I'm questioning as a designer,' I'm questioning upper cabinets. She goes on to argue that kitchens without upper cabinets feel much more open, have more opportunity for wow-worth design moments via tiling or a backsplash, and are less likely to feel like a "shoebox."
The Upper Cabinets Debate
Anytime you question a norm, opinions are going to fly. In Walters’ post, which went viral with over a half-million views, the bulk of replies fell into the “upper cabinets are necessary” camp.
One commentary responded, “If there’s ever going to be a toddler in the picture, glass needs to go up. trust me.” And another wrote, “This feels very fashion over function.” Another even mentioned they lived without uppers for over a decade and their first request in their new space was to get their upper cabinets back.
But Walters isn’t alone in her desire to nix upper cabinets. According to new data from the NKBA 2027 Kitchen Trends Report, 27% of designers expect fewer upper cabinets in their cabinet configuration design for the next three years.
And in response to Walters’ post, one person wrote, “I love no upper cabinets in my kitchen!! It feels like a room instead of a utility space.” Designer Carol Estes even chimed in, saying, “I will go to great lengths to convince clients to not do uppers. Typically, we all have far too much stuff! The solution is often to get rid of excess STUFF.”
Upper Cabinets in the Kitchen: Necessary or Not?
Ultimately, deciding whether to have upper cabinets in the kitchen is a matter of personal preference. However, for most people it’s safe to argue they’re pretty necessary.
“The trend of removing upper kitchen cabinets is largely driven by social media and aspirational, large, high-end homes,” says Magan Bouriot, lead interior designer at CRD Design Build. She tells us, “While it looks beautiful, it is not practical for the average homeowner who does not have the luxury of a separate pantry (in which to hide your mess).”
She also argues that having a more open, light-filled space can be accomplished without compromising functionality. This can be achieved via glass-front cabinets, selective open shelves, or extending the backsplash.
What side of the cabinet fence do you sit on?
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
