Open Shelving Instead of Upper Cabinets

Swapping out heavy upper cabinets for open shelves instantly makes your kitchen feel twice its size. Natural wood shelf brackets against a clean white wall create a warm contrast between rough-hewn grain and smooth painted surfaces. Stacked stoneware bowls and woven baskets turn everyday storage into a display worth showing off.

Why Kitchens Without Upper Cabinets Feel Bigger

Pulling down those boxy upper cabinets instantly changes how a kitchen breathes. White walls paired with warm wood tones create depth, while smooth open shelving against matte plaster and woven basket textures keep everything feeling layered but airy. Your eyes travel upward without hitting a visual wall, making even a modest galley layout feel twice its actual size.

Minimalist Kitchen With a Single Floating Shelf

A single floating shelf changes everything when you strip away bulky upper cabinets and let your kitchen breathe. Smooth white walls pair with warm natural wood grain on that lone shelf, while a soft linen tea towel draped nearby adds just enough softness to keep things from feeling cold. This look proves that less really does create more impact.

Bold Backsplash That Steals the Show

When you strip away upper cabinets, that bare wall becomes your kitchen’s main stage — and a bold backsplash knows exactly how to fill it. Picture vivid patterned tile climbing from countertop to ceiling, where glossy ceramic meets rough grout lines and smooth quartz below. This is the kind of statement that makes you forget those uppers ever existed.

Extra-Tall Base Cabinets for Hidden Storage

Those extra inches between standard counter height and ceiling make all the difference when you ditch upper cabinets entirely. Smooth matte cabinet fronts meet warm butcher block countertops and woven linen dish towels in a kitchen that feels open yet organized. Taller base cabinets swallow up everything from stand mixers to cereal boxes, keeping surfaces clean while giving your walls breathing room.

Kitchen Without Upper Cabinets and a Pot Rail

That open wall space above your counters becomes instantly functional when a simple pot rail steps in. Brushed iron hardware against a warm white wall creates a working display that feels equal parts rustic and practical. The matte metal textures of hanging cookware play beautifully against smooth painted surfaces and woven linen towels draped nearby.

Shop the Look

KES 130lb High-Capacity 32 Inch Pot Rack Wall Mounted with 3X Thick Tube View Price LANE LINEN Kitchen Dish Towels 100% Cotton Soft & Absorbent 6 Pack - Beige View Price CABDM 10 Pack Rustic Cup Pulls Black Iron 3 Inch (76mm) Hole Center Vintage Farmhouse Solid Core Kitchen Cabinet Pulls, Luxury Cabinet Handles, Hardware for Doors & Dresser Drawers View Price MIKIGEY Kitchen Utensil Holder, 7 Inches Large Ceramic Utensil Holder for Countertop, Lace Emboss Cooking Utensil Crocks for Kitchen, Home Decor, Off-White View Price Westinghouse 6129400 Iron Hill Vintage-Style Three Light Indoor Pulley Pendant, Matte Black Finish View Price KOZYFLY Runners for Hallways 2x6 ft Washable Kitchen Runner Non Slip Rubber Backed Hall Runners Cotton Entryway Runner Rugs for Indoor Backdoor Bedroom Kitchen, Ivory Beige View Price HOOBRO Floating Shelves for Wall, 23.6" Wall Mounted Shelves Set of 2 View Price HBlife Dish Rack, Bamboo Folding 2-Tier Collapsible Drainer Dish Drying Rack with Utensils Flatware Holder Set (Dish Rack with Utensil Holder) View Price

Shop The Look

DIY Paint Transformation

Best For: Galley or single-wall kitchens where eliminating upper cabinets demands creative vertical storage that doubles as everyday decor.

Shop The Look

Shop the Look

bjsdkff 10PCS Magnetic Push Latches for Cabinet Push to Open Door Latch, Gray Soft Quiet Close Closers, Plastic Damper Buffer Push for Kitchen Drawer Door View Price AIBOO 12V LED Under Cabinet Lighting Kit 3 Packs Slim Aluminum Puck Lights with 2-Way Switch All Accessories Included for Counter Closet Lighting 6W (Daylight White) View Price White Ceramic Utensil Holder with Handle, 6.5" Rustic Countertop Crock View Price Pure Linen Kitchen Towels - Towels for Baking Sourdough - Set of 2 View Price JinDoWin Kitchen Cabinet Organizer Shelf to Eliminate Clutter, Space-Saving Shelf Organizer, Pantry organizers and storage, Compact Spice Rack Organizer for Cabinet (2, W11.8″) View Price WTJMOV 0.6L Small Electric Tea Kettle Lightweight, 20 Ounce Double Wall Hot Water Boiler Stainless Steel Auto Shut-off, 120V Portable Travel Electric Kettle Fast Boil for Tea and Coffee,White View Price sietpoek 4.7” Ceramic Plant Pots with Drainage and Saucer 4PCs White View Price

Shop The Look

Shop the Look

Rattan Serving Tray,Rectangle Wicker Storage Basket Set of 3 for Organizing View Price Premium Kitchen Towels 6 Pack 100% Cotton 20"x28" Dish Towels Grey Striped View Price ABRUTY Utensil Holder, 6.7" Ceramic Kitchen Utensil Crock for Countertop Cooking, Modern Utensil Caddy Jar Organizer for Farmhouse Kitchen Counter Decor (White) View Price AyshwillDec Mini Hemp Rope Woven Pendant Light Woven Light Fixture Boho Chandelier Light Fixture Wicker Pendant Light Rattan Light Pendant Dome Wicker Chandelier for Bedroom Kitchen Island(Bulb Incl.) View Price KitchenClouds Kitchen Mat Cushioned Anti Fatigue Rug 17.3"x28" Waterproof Non Slip Standing Desk Mat Comfort Floor Mats for Kitchen House Sink Office (Grey) View Price Corner Bathroom Counter Organizer, 2-Tier Bathroom Organizers and Storage, Wooden Vanity Perfume Organizer Makeup Countertop Shelf for Kitchen Dresser View Price Gooseneck Electric Kettle with Temperature Control, 0.9L, White Wood View Price

Shop The Look

Shop the Look

Ravinte Matte Black Drawer Pulls Cabinet Cup Pulls 3 Inch 3 Pack View Price Giutna 20" Rattan Hand-Woven Boho Wicker Chandelier - 6-Light Drum Farmhouse Oversized Vintage Pendant Light Fixture for Dining Room, Kitchen Island, Entryway (Black) View Price LANE LINEN Dish Towels for Kitchen Cotton Soft & Absorbent 4 Pack - Beige View Price 10.5 x 10.5in Seagrass Storage Baskets Set of 4, Cube Foldable Woven Storage Baskets for Shelves, Decorative Seagrass Shelf Basket View Price ULLAHOLM Wooden Cookbook Stand for Kitchen Counter - Reversible Recipe Book Holder with Cooking Measurement Conversion Card - Gift-Ready Adjustable Tablet Cookbook Holder Stand - 13.7"x8.2" View Price Bodum 27oz Bistro Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle, Pour Over Coffee & Tea, Stainless Steel, Matte Black View Price

Small Kitchen Without Upper Cabinets That Works

A compact kitchen feels twice its size when you ditch those boxy upper cabinets and let the walls breathe. Warm white walls meet natural wood open shelving, creating a layered look where smooth subway tile, grainy butcher block, and woven textile textures play off each other beautifully. This setup proves small kitchens can feel open, stylish, and completely functional without sacrificing storage.

Black Lower Cabinets With White Open Walls

That bold contrast between black base cabinets and bright white open walls creates a kitchen that feels both grounded and airy at once. Matte black cabinetry plays against smooth white plaster walls while natural wood cutting boards and woven baskets soften the graphic palette. This high-contrast look works beautifully in kitchens where you want drama without darkness.

Shop the Look

KOZYFLY Black White Striped Runner Rug 2x6 ft Woven Washable Hallway Runner View Price Ravinte Matte Black Cabinet Pulls Drawer Cup Handles 3 Inch CC, 12 Pack View Price Pendant Light Shade Cage 3 Pack,Black Wire Lamp Shade for Hanging Bulbs View Price 84ECO Set of 2 Wicker Hanging Baskets for Wall, Door - Wall Basket Decor View Price Urban Villa Kitchen Towels Cotton Dish Towels 20”x30” (Set of 6) Black View Price Elite Gourmet EKT3001 1L Digital Kettle, 304 Stainless Steel, Matte Black View Price DEBETOOL 8.8" Rustic Wooden Plate Stand for Display View Price

Shop The Look

DIY Paint Transformation

Best For: Galley or single-wall kitchens in smaller homes where eliminating upper cabinets prevents the space from feeling closed in, while black lower cabinets still deliver a strong design statement.

DIY Paint Transformation

Best For: Galley or single-wall kitchens where one striking focal point replaces visual clutter and makes a compact layout feel open and deliberately designed.

Shop The Look

Shop the Look

Herogo Ceramic 10.43 Inch Dinner Plates Set of 4, Cream Khaki View Price Marsui 35" x 22" x 2.5" Rustic Wall Mounted Dish Rack Bookshelf for Plates View Price Richelieu | Provence 3 3/4-inch (96 mm) Pewter Cabinet Cup Pull View Price Herb Planter Indoor, 3-pc Herb Pots w/ Drainage Holes, Bamboo Tray & Labels View Price Golhom 2 Pack Frosted Opal White Glass Lamp Shade, Lip-less Cylinder Glass Light Fixture Cover, Replacement Globe for Chandelier, Pendant, Vanity Light View Price

Shop The Look

Shop the Look

Globe Electric 65773 1-Light Pendant, Black, Matte Finish, Brass Accents, Half Opal Glass Shade, Kitchen Island, Café, Decorative, Ceiling Hanging Light Fixture, Modern, Vintage, Bulb Not Included View Price AIBOO Under Cabinet LED Puck Lights Kit with Touching Switch Dimmable for Kitchen Cupboard Closet Lighting (6 Lights,Daylight White) View Price VIHOSE 6 Pcs 5.12 x 5.12 Inch Rattan Drum Chandelier Lamp Shades Rustic Linen Grasscloth Drum Lamps Shades Mini Woven Lampshade Clip for Chandelier Wall Sconces Floor Lamp View Price 10 Pack Cabinet Handles, 5 Inch Length, 3 Inch Hole Center, Brushed Brass View Price ALIUNI 100% EVA Shelf Liner Waterproof Non Adhesive, 12" x 240", Cream View Price Wood Floating Shelves with Metal Hooks, Wall Mounted Coat Rack with Shelf Set of 2, Bathroom Wall Shelf with Removable Towel Bar, Hanging Shelves with 9 Hooks for Kitchen Entryway Coffee Bar, Black View Price DmofwHi Gooseneck Electric Kettle(1.0L),1000W Electric Tea Kettle of 304 Stainless Steel,Auto Shut off,Water Kettle for Coffee and Tea -Matte Black View Price

Pantry Closet That Replaces Every Upper Cabinet

One tall pantry closet anchored beside the counter holds everything those upper cabinets used to store, freeing every wall for open sight lines. Warm white shiplap walls meet natural wood shelving inside the pantry while woven basket textures keep dry goods organized and accessible. The result feels clean, grounded, and surprisingly spacious for any kitchen size.

Outdoor-Indoor Kitchen With No Overhead Storage

That seamless flow between your patio and cooking space feels like the ultimate entertaining setup. Natural wood tones meet weathered stone textures while woven rattan accents soften the passage zone. Concrete countertops ground the open layout, and linen curtains billow where walls once divided inside from out.

Best Countertop Materials for Open Kitchen Walls

When your upper cabinets come down, every inch of countertop and wall space becomes a visual statement. Smooth quartz surfaces bounce light against exposed brick or raw wood shelving, while matte concrete countertops pair beautifully with woven textiles and brushed metal hardware. Choosing the right material transforms your open kitchen from bare to intentionally styled.

How Much Does Removing Upper Cabinets Cost?

Before you grab a crowbar and start pulling cabinets off the wall, understanding the real costs helps you budget smartly. Smooth plaster walls meet warm butcher block countertops and woven linen towels in kitchens that trade upper storage for open, airy breathing room. The final look feels lighter, but patching, painting, and replacing storage adds up quickly.

What to Budget For

Most homeowners spend $500–$2,500 total when removing upper cabinets, depending on scope:

The biggest hidden cost? Rerouting electrical. Always check what’s behind those cabinets before removing them — outlets and junction boxes need professional attention.