Removing upper cabinets, including the cabinet boxes, doors, hinges, and crown molding trim, opens sight lines for a contemporary appearance. However, the loss of storage capacity and potential plumbing and electrical work make this a major change requiring careful consideration. Weigh both the benefits and downsides when deciding if a cabinet-free kitchen fits your lifestyle.
Be sure to consult with your local cabinet store on the feasibility and cost of removing uppers before starting a project. Here we examine the pros and cons of taking out upper cabinets to help you decide if it fits your kitchen and lifestyle.
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Pros of Removing Upper Cabinets
Going without upper cabinets offers some potential benefits:
More Open, Airy Look
Eliminating upper cabinetry creates a lighter, more spacious aesthetic, especially in smaller kitchens. The open wall space makes rooms feel larger. It creates an airy, almost commercial-style look.
Room for Bolder Backsplashes
Without uppers crowding walls, you have room for taller, bolder backsplash tile designs. Extend materials like wide marble slabs or patterned tile to draw the eye up.
Clean Lines and Minimalism
The lack of wall cabinets provides a streamlined, pared-down aesthetic. This works well for people with contemporary, industrial, or modern kitchen styles.
Greater Visibility
Removing upper cabinet doors improves sight lines and visibility across the kitchen. Open center shelves still allow some upper storage.
Easier Access
No tall cabinets make accessing items easier. Ceiling height and physical abilities may make tall upper cabinets challenging to use.
Cons of Removing Upper Cabinets
While freeing walls of upper cabinets, high it has advantages, it also comes with downsides:
Reduced Storage
Lacking upper cabinetry diminishes storage capacity significantly. Pots, pans, appliances, and other kitchen items will need to find a new home.
Clutter and Mess
Open shelves attract dust and clutter more easily than enclosed cabinetry. Items are always on display. This requires vigilant cleaning and easy organization.
Difficulty Reaching
Since uppers extend to reach the ceiling, removing them can make it hard to access items stored higher up like decor or lighting fixtures.
Altered Kitchen Ergonomics
The workflow between sink, stove, and refrigerator may be impacted without uppers for landing zones. Reconfigure bases to compensate.
Exposed Plumbing and Wiring
Removing cabinets leaves pipework, electrical, vents, and other utility lines exposed which may detract from the clean look.
Cost to Remove and Patch
Taking out cabinets requires safely removing them, patching walls, adjusting utilities, and repainting. These remodeling costs add up.
Assessing the pros and cons lets you determine if going cabinet-free achieves your kitchen goals and fits your lifestyle realistically before starting removal.
Tips for Removing Upper Cabinets
If you decide upper cabinet removal best suits your kitchen, execute the project properly:
- Could you please determine if utilities like pipes and wires are routed through upper cabinets that will require re-routing when removed?
- Remove cabinet doors, shelving, and hardware first, taking care not to damage components you plan to reuse or repurpose.
- Protect countertops, walls, and backsplashes from damage during the cabinet removal process.
- Unscrew brackets, rails, and components securing the cabinet box carefully. Pry away or cut with a saw if needed.
- Patch drywall, repaint, and finish any exposed uneven surfaces for a seamless look post-removal.
- Adjust or install new lighting fixtures as needed once the uppers are gone.
- Add alternative storage solutions like hanging racks or open shelving to regain some capacity lost.
Bottomline
Removing upper kitchen cabinets brings advantages like a cleaner, lighter aesthetic, and increased visibility as well as disadvantages like reduced storage and potential utility work. Carefully assess your kitchen functionality needs, storage requirements, style goals, and budget before taking the upper cabinet-free plunge. But if done thoughtfully, this change can create a brilliant new modern kitchen look.
