I’ve mentioned in my kitchen reveal that I have plans to remove all of the upper cabinets in our kitchen. The truth is, I can’t wait to get this done! I know it’s pretty trendy right now, but it’s a look I’ve loved for ages.
Do y’all read Laurel Bern’s blog Laurel Home? If not, you totally should. She’s an amazing designer and is wicked funny (I might have a girl crush on her and her blog). She (I think) kind of coined the term “the un-kitchen”- basically the kitchen that is the opposite of a lot of today’s behemoth kitchens that have massive banks of cabinets, granite for miles, etc. It’s a concept that I love! Anyway, one of Laurel’s tenants of the un-kitchen is no or few upper cabinets- which I also love!
Here’s some of my inspiration:
Love this from Melissa at The Inspired Room! That subway tile that extends to the ceiling…just what I want in my kitchen. This is from her previous home.

The Inspired Room (please pin from original source)
One of the things that I love about not having upper cabinets is that it gives you the ability to have so much fun with design in the kitchen! Look how much style Trish Johnston (Style at Home) added to the kitchen with that wallpaper: (!)
From Style at Home (please pin from original source). Designer Trish Johnston
Oh man. These windows! This would be worth losing every bit of upper cabinets that I have. From Samantha at The Peak of Tres Chic.

The Peak of Tres Chic. Please pin from original source.
That farmhouse sink too. Love.
I love the look of these open shelves from a Sullivan’s Island home tour on Looklingerlove. Y’all have got to go check it out!

From Looklingerlove. Please pin from original source.
And of course, from one of Joanna’s Fixer Upper homes. Even though there are uppers here, they blend so beautifully with the rest of the kitchen I didn’t even notice them at first! I love the wall of open shelving. And that hood vent cover? Gah!

HGTV. Please pin from original source.
What about you all? Do y’all love the look of no uppers like I do? Or is the thought of losing all of that storage too scary? Let me know your thoughts!
I just finished this idea in my 1950’s kitchen. Removed all the many big boxy cabinets, stained thick knotty pines planks to match golden oak lower cabinets, and hung using floating shelf wrought iron brackets. Lots of wall prep due to old sheetrock, but kept all my subway tile backsplash from 20 years ago. New hardware, dishes, and dimmed lighting. Looks amazing! Total cost was about $1500. Wish I could post a pix or two.
Hi Tricia, thanks for stopping by! That sounds beautiful- wish I could see the pics! It’s amazing how timeless subway tile is!