Kitchen without upper cabinets: 200+ beautiful photos of design ideas

Refusal of hanging drawers is in the trend of modern styles.

But let's be clear right away:

1. From a design perspective, a kitchen without upper cabinets really looks cool. But..
2. This is not about economy and practicality. The chances of screwing up so much that exploitation will infuriate you are great.

It is important to think not in pictures, but in ways of implementation.

Let's figure out what you really need to pay attention to in the photo and how to implement an open top, so as not to regret it later.

+ for many people, an empty wall is not as important as it is not to see it (I don’t like it either):

And then I will offer a super practical alternative.

Pros and cons of a kitchen without upper cabinets

Before deciding to introduce such an innovation, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Of course, not every housewife can decide to voluntarily give up half the space for storing dishes, dry foods, utensils and other items.

And this is the main disadvantage of a kitchen without wall cabinets. But is it really that bad?

First, about the benefits.

1. The interior becomes lighter , more air appears, and the space is optically enlarged.
2. The workspace does not need additional lighting, especially if you place it near a window using a window sill. There are many possibilities for planning.
3. There is no risk of plaster and heavy cabinets collapsing (this can happen if the walls are not strong enough, for example, made of foam blocks, or if the furniture is poorly secured).
4. Owners and guests will stop banging their heads on rickety furniture.
5. Improved hygiene. A room with more light looks visually cleaner and fresher.
6. You can decorate the apron up to the ceiling , hang open shelves and decorate them with original decorative elements, such as dishes, ceramics, live plants in pots, etc. A free wall gives room for creativity.
7. All storage facilities are located in the lower cabinets . Arrange a full-fledged dining area with built-in drawers and shelves for utensils. This is great for short people who are tired of having to prop up a bench to reach things. Storage space becomes more accessible for people of all sizes and ages. However, some drawers, such as those containing sharp objects, may need to be kept away from children.

Furniture manufacturers recommend pantries or columnar cabinets, but sideboards have made a comeback as a modern trend.

These spacious designs look beautiful and can be a great place to store cutlery, crockery, coffee/tea sets, glassware, jam/juice jars and other useful items.

The disadvantages are as follows.

1. It is difficult to think of other storage options to replace wall cabinets in small kitchens - they are a very practical option, so it is not recommended to abandon them in small apartments. And they add a lot of usable space by freeing up the floor. Studios are a different matter. The room is level with the kitchen allowing you to experiment with the interior.
2. Open shelves used to decorate a free wall will quickly become dusty. Dust will also accumulate on objects placed on them. This will increase the time required for cleaning.
3. The storage system will be located at the bottom , so you will often have to bend down to take out or put down an item.
4. There is a huge free wall that needs to be decorated somehow. Of course, it will get dirty when using the stove, sink and will require additional cleaning.

If you consider the disadvantages, they can easily be turned into advantages, and this applies to rooms of any size.

Common mistakes

When installing a kitchen without upper cabinets, apartment owners are faced with errors that further reduce the functionality of the entire space and only worsen the ergonomics of the entire room. Most often, the following shortcomings are made when planning and installing this type of kitchen:

1. Incorrect drying position. If you decide to choose a kitchen without upper modules, then it is not recommended to move the drying to the lower parts of the structure. Usually, for these purposes, the upper module is left above the sink, where there is no bottom or there is a small distance from the front to the bottom. Due to this design, air circulates, and moisture gradually disappears from washed dishes. If the drying is at the bottom, then the process does not work, and it is inconvenient to get dishes from below. It makes no sense to move the structure to another part of the room. It is best to purchase an additional dryer for drawers as an analogue.
2. Installation of hood and outlet

A housewife who constantly prepares home-cooked food: cooks food, stews it, cooks something, simply cannot do without a range hood. Therefore, it will not be possible to get rid of this element along with the upper modules. Moreover, built-in hoods are most often also installed in upper tier cabinets. An analogue will be a box-type ceiling hood.

Placement of refrigerator, microwave and oven

Most often, apartment owners decide to simply use a linear layout for the kitchen without an upper tier. However, there are some subtleties here: if you place the refrigerator separately from the entire structure, then the atmosphere of minimalism is broken, since high technology will break the straight line in the room. In this case, experts recommend ordering built-in refrigerators of a smaller volume - among them there are budget options on the market.

In order for the refusal of the upper tier to make sense, it is necessary to maintain a minimalist style in the kitchen. The best solution would be a pencil case with a built-in refrigerator, which is installed all the way to the top. Visually, this design is similar to a mezzanine

The microwave and oven should not be left separately, since the overall atmosphere will be greatly affected in this case. It is recommended to install such equipment at hand level, since placing the equipment in the lower tier will cause additional inconvenience.

Lighting

If you need additional lighting in the kitchen, then it is not necessary to install it in the upper modules. Some apartment owners initially install it at the top of the apron, so they can fully appreciate the convenience of the technology. If you are getting rid of the upper tiers, then use this technique. Experts advise milling and attaching LEDs to the apron. Be sure to plan where and how you will place the power supply.

Sources

• https://wexy.ru/dizain-int/kuhnya-bez-verhnih-shkafov-7-nyuansov-dizajna-v-126-foto
• https://blog.gnezdo-mall.ru/kuhnya-bez-verhnih-shkafov-sovety-idei-foto/
• https://ars.ru/interer-dizayn-kuhni-bez-verhnih-navesnyh-shkafov/
• https://design-homes.ru/komnaty/kukhnya-i-stolovaya/kukhnya-bez-verkhnikh-shkafov
• https://cozynook.ru/kuhnya-bez-verhnih-shkafov/
• https://kitchen-eco.ru/mebel/garnitur/kuhnya-bez-verhnih-shkafov
• https://m-strana.ru/design/pravila-i-idei-obustroystva-kukhni-bez-verkhnikh-shkafov/
• https://salon.ru/article/kuhni-bez-verhnih-shkafov-foto-dizajn-osobennosti-aktualnye-trendy-48792
• https://kvartblog.ru/blog/dizajn-kuhni-bez-navesnyh-shkafov/
• https://minikuhonka.ru/%D0%BA%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BD%D1%8F-%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B7-%D0%B2%D0%B5 %D1%80%D1%85%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%85-%D1%88%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%84%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D1%81 %D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%8B-%D0%B8-%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC%D1%8B/

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What layout to choose for a kitchen without upper cabinets

There is no difference between a two-story and one-story kitchen. You have the same four options: corner, U-shaped, linear and island.

A corner kitchen is a convenient, functional and rational solution for space planning. The floor blocks installed in this case have an angular configuration. Floor and column cabinets can also be installed in corners along walls.

This way of arranging furniture easily creates a classic work triangle with a sink, stove and refrigerator. A corner cabinet is also ideal for kitchens of any size, especially small ones.

It is also a much cleaner option as it keeps dust and grime out of the upper cabinets.

Simple kitchens are also known as linear kitchens. All base cabinets are located on one wall. There is a refrigerator next to the countertop, and next to it is the cooktop and sink.

Linear layout is ideal for narrow kitchens. Without upper cabinets, the room will look larger and brighter.

If you are thinking about storage, then all the food and utensils can be placed in the lower section.

A U-shaped kitchen, where all the base cabinets are located along three walls, makes it easy to create a useful triangular work area.

It also has plenty of space to store utensils even if the upper cabinets are inaccessible. However, the U-shape can only be used in a medium to large sized kitchen. You shouldn't do this in a small room.

A large kitchen requires a special approach to its layout in order to make it beautiful and ergonomic.

A kitchen with an island is a layout where the main work surface is in the center of the room. An island can include a cooktop, a burner, an oven, a sink, a dishwasher—there are many possible configurations.

An island also allows you to free up wall cabinets without compromising the functionality of the kitchen. However, this type of layout is only suitable for spacious rooms with an area of ​​at least 20 square meters. m.

When all surfaces in the kitchen are open, it is important to maintain perfect order and cleanliness.

Alternative: partial elimination of overhead storage

Do you like the idea of ​​partially relieving the wall of wall cabinets, but don’t want to sacrifice storage and ease of use? There is an alternative option - a “golden mean” for doubters: a partial rejection of the upper shelves of the set.

Leave one or two wall cabinets (for example, having resolved the issue with the hood and dish dryer), and you can safely discard the rest. This way the kitchen will receive the necessary “air”, but at the same time remain functional and comfortable.

How to replace upper cabinets

To compensate for the lack of memory, you can use the following options:

1. Wardrobe with columns. Suitable for large spaces. Ideal for cabinets opposite or on either side of kitchen cabinets. You can also build large household appliances into the cabinet, such as a washing machine, refrigerator, dishes, kitchen and food utensils.

1. Install a sideboard, buffet, bookcase or closet to match the color and style of your kitchen. Suitable for small spaces. They do not require the creation of an entire wall. A big plus is the shelves, behind which you can beautifully arrange tableware, figurines, and favorite souvenirs to decorate and highlight the taste of the hostess.

1. Open shelves. An ideal addition to any Provence style interior. Ideal for storing food and drink sets, kitchen utensils and spice jars. They are usually installed in conveniently located places, for example, above the sink, kitchen countertop or across the entire width of the wall in a chaotic manner.

1. Rails. These are open shelves made of lighter material - metal. They can be used to place storage items, hang towels, handles, spatulas, kitchen gloves and accessories.

A corner cabinet model without extensions on one side is also available. Hanging cabinets provide storage without cluttering the space.

Furniture selection

The kitchen set must be made of high-quality material. The mirror surface of the tabletop is undesirable due to the appearance of streaks and stains on it if cleaning and polishing are not carried out daily.

The buffet should be voluminous, but not bulky. It mainly stores dishes and small appliances. In wide types, you can hide a small refrigerator or other equipment from prying eyes. It is also suitable for placing accessories: potholders, aprons, towels, napkins.

The choice of facade is important: it must be beautiful and practical, suitable in style and color.

Main problems in practice

Home owners and interior designers face many challenges. These are the main disadvantages of kitchens without upper cabinets:

1. Significantly reduced storage space. Utensils and utensils must be moved to other rooms and systems.
2. Not all furniture and electrical appliances can be installed in such a room. Often, hanging units are used to store a gas water heater, utility systems, electrical wiring and packaging.
3. A blank wall needs repair and additional decoration. In the case of new apartments this is not a problem, but in the case of used apartments it is a completely different matter. In such cases, large-scale renovations should be carried out using a good design plan.

Each case should be approached with special attention, exploring all possible options for layout, lighting and furniture organization.

Trend or not trend?

Just a couple of seasons ago, “topless” headsets could have been called a modern trend. Today, they have not lost their relevance, but have significantly lost their positions in the top popular design techniques.

It would be most logical to call this headset configuration one of the many possible options. Its relevance should be considered based on many factors, including:

• area of ​​the room and the entire apartment (or house);
• lifestyle and preferences of owners;
• selected style;
• required and desired storage volume.

Kitchen without upper cabinets in various styles

Classic style

When decorating a classic kitchen, designers recommend focusing on natural materials. Kitchen cabinets can be made from natural wood.

For a budget option, consider chipboard or MDF.

The walls are decorated with washable wallpaper with small patterns. The photo of a kitchen without cabinets in a classic style shows an interesting combination of wooden surfaces with the texture of natural stone and ceramics. The windows in the room are decorated with light curtains.

• The dining room should be well lit.
• Above the dining area is a pendant chandelier with crystal elements.
• For additional lighting, you can use wall lamps.

Brickwork

Great idea for a loft, Scandinavian interior.

Loft. Brick can be bright and rustic to add a rugged feel.

Light brick finishes are best suited for a Scandinavian style kitchen.

Other styles in which brick finishing looks good are country, Provence, and shabby chic. In Provencal or vintage style, the bricks should be lighter, without sharp color contrasts.

High-tech and Minimalism

Modern style is good because it allows you to make non-standard decisions without regard to traditional methods of interior design. Designers advise using a minimum amount of furniture in this interior. There is simply no need to buy upper cabinets.

The room remains light, airy and minimalist. The finishing materials most often used are plastic boards, chipboard, metal, porcelain stoneware and artificial stone.

Modern

A room decorated in this style is a work of art. It is characterized by high gloss, regular and strict geometry, the use of metal, glass and even plastic.

The lighting is accentuated: there should be a large chandelier and several single lamps, sometimes with LEDs. There are no color requirements - you can even use black.

Country

A pleasant rural style that will give a feeling of nature even to people living in a metropolis. Provence is an integral part of:

• natural materials;
• rustic and simple finishes;
• calm color scheme.

In country style, it is easy to do without extensions, replacing them with shelves made of thick wooden boards.

Art Deco

Luxurious style for those who love classics. Most often used in large apartments and country houses, where the kitchen is combined with a dining room.

Only the most expensive materials are used: mahogany, silk, leather, crystal. There should be stucco and patterns on the walls.

If you remove the top set, then in its place there should be only paintings - this style does not like open shelves.

A kitchen without wall cabinets is an excellent solution that will give the room originality and lightness. It can be integrated into any interior. Experiment - this is the only way to get a kitchen that will delight you for many years!

Loft style

A kitchen without cabinets is an ideal solution for a loft style. Metal shelves on the walls are a great alternative.

The upper cabinets will not block large windows, so the room will be filled with light.

The interior design uses brick, concrete, natural wood, metal and glass.

Provence style

Photos of kitchens without wall cabinets in the Provence style reflect the beauty of the rustic style. The walls are usually painted in milky shades.

Flowers in ceramic vases are placed throughout the room, and the windows are decorated with chiffon curtains.

• For this soft, romantic style, the kitchen is beautifully designed without cabinets.
• There are many shelves to store interesting decorations and kitchen utensils.
• Wardrobes, chests and other pieces of furniture that cause depression can also be used as storage.

Futurism

An unusual design move, intended for the young and active. Its basis is white and metal surfaces, unusual furniture and bright accents.

Any, even the most daring design solutions are possible here, so the rejection of the top set in this case will not surprise anyone.

What it is?

Due to the relatively high cost, wall-hung kitchens cannot be found in every furniture showroom. Therefore, floating furniture for many still remains a mystery, causing a number of doubts. In fact, everything is quite simple.

The effect of a floating kitchen is achieved by eliminating the lower supports. The lower modules are hung on the wall in the same way as the upper kitchen cabinets or shelves. Naturally, both the fastenings and the wall on which such modules are installed must be sufficiently strong and reliable.

Hanging kitchen without handles. MDF kitchen with lighting. With electric drive SERVO-DRIVE Servo Drive Blum.

In some cases, manufacturers are cunning, passing off something else as floating furniture. They simulate the soaring effect in two ways:

• cabinets and tables are installed on transparent supports made of glass or durable plastic, which creates the effect of not being in contact with the floor;

• the legs are pushed further under the cabinets, so that from the height of an ordinary person they are invisible.

For authenticity, the lower part of the pseudo-floating kitchen is illuminated with an LED strip. The effect is quite convincing, but the operating features of a real wall-hung kitchen and its imitation are still different.

It is worth noting that the designers did not focus their idea only on kitchen units. Floating tables, beds and other parts of furniture sets quickly occupied their niche among other style solutions.

Wall Design Ideas Without Upper Cabinets

An empty wall in the kitchen without upper cabinets will be conspicuous one way or another, so you need to decide whether to accentuate this area or “calm” it?

Color can be achieved using paints or materials. For example, a brick or chalk wall will brighten up the interior. A bright apron made of unusual tiles, original wallpaper or a painting in colorful colors will also be an excellent accent.

The photo shows a kitchen without wall cabinets with a brick wall.

An alternative to brightness is calm tones and standard designs; objects on the shelves will attract attention.

How to make a “no top” layout

You can independently plan your kitchen using a single-level set, taking into account some rules. In this case, you should focus on one of five design options:

• Linear. A classic option for a narrow kitchen space. Furniture is placed along the longest wall.
• Angular. The most common option for designing a kitchen without upper wall cabinets due to significant space savings (original designs in the photo below).

Design of a living room combined with a kitchen

The beautiful kitchen design is visible from the living room, allowing you to appreciate the aesthetics and atmosphere. The walls in traditional house designs don't seem as compact. You can easily move around a large room without bumping into furniture or people. This style of kitchen has many advantages.

The open kitchen is appreciated and loved by interior designers and home remodelers all over the world. When there is no wall between the kitchen and dining room blocking your line of sight, you have plenty of space to do much more. A kitchen in this style is an excellent solution for small spaces that are too cramped by a wall.

It is much more convenient than the traditional style. You can put more tables and chairs where there will be a wall, or leave it open during family gatherings to prevent people from bumping into each other. Thus, this type of connected kitchen makes it easier for people to interact with each other, which is why it is preferred by many people. Plus, it allows you to get more natural sunlight, which will inevitably brighten up the room and improve the ambience!

Yes, people all over the world are praising this kitchen design as it has endless benefits. But there are still factors to consider if you are thinking about renovating your kitchen and adopting the open kitchen concept. When the barrier (wall) is removed, the open space will leave room for more noise. There are no more walls to disrupt sound and prevent it from moving from room to room. Sound will only be a problem during parties and gatherings.

Keeping your space clean is much more important now than when you have a traditional style kitchen. Therefore, the more this style develops, the more people will work on how to improve minor flaws. There are many solutions that can be found, which is why interior designers and kitchen remodelers love this design.

The layout of an open kitchen can vary, such as a long space with a kitchen, dining and living area, or it can be a more square or L-shaped layout. The main thing is that the space is open. Typically the dining room is located between the kitchen and living room.

Installation features depending on the type of fastenings

The usual hanging of cabinets, which is used to install upper shelves, is not suitable in this case. Standard fasteners for wall cabinets are not used for a rather banal reason - the screws and dowels, which during such an installation bear the entire weight of the structure, simply cannot withstand the load.

In addition, fasteners for kitchen wall cabinets in the form of a hook have another significant drawback - it is very difficult to adjust such hangers. If for upper cabinets a difference in height of a few millimeters is unpleasant, but not critical, then hanging the lower floating modules at different levels will lead to difficulties with installing the countertop.

In some cases, the solution to this problem is a floating tabletop; it is placed 10–20 cm above the hanging cabinets. In this case, the top cover of the lower cabinets becomes an open shelf, and separate fasteners are used to mount the tabletop.

If the design of a wall-hung kitchen does not require support, then there are three fairly reliable methods of fastening:

• rails. This option is suitable for cabinets that completely occupy the space along one wall. In this case, longitudinal rails (profiles) are installed under the headset, which are mounted into the end walls (preferably load-bearing). There can be a different number of support profiles (depending on the parameters and weight of the cabinets), but usually no more than three. In addition, the cabinets are additionally secured to the wall with conventional fasteners. In this case, standard fixation is sufficient, since the main load falls on the rails;

• mounting angle. Typically, a reinforced angle is chosen for these purposes; such a mount can withstand bending loads of up to 120 kg per unit. One module has from two to four mounting angles (i.e. one filled cabinet can have a maximum weight of 240 to 480 kg). This installation allows even fairly large kitchen appliances (oven, etc.) to be built into wall-hung modules. When installing, you need to clearly ensure that all the cabinets after hanging are on the same level, without differences in height;
• mounting profile. This installation method is only suitable for a perfectly flat wall (without protrusions, niches or protruding communications). The profile is rigidly attached to the wall, and the cabinets are fixed onto it using special adjustable hooks. When mounted on a profile, the height of individual cabinets is easier to adjust, which simplifies the process of installing the countertop. Attaching an adjustable canopy is not difficult, so this is the installation method that is chosen when installing a hanging modular kitchen with your own hands.

Separately, it is worth noting that when installing a hanging cabinet under the sink and kitchen appliances, you need to take into account communications. The brackets must be positioned so that the floating cabinet hides all wires and pipes, but at the same time there must be free access to communications in case of a possible accident.

You can evaluate the reliability of various fastening systems by watching the video:

When will your kitchen fall? Secrets of a furniture maker, useful tips, tests. Construction hack.

Such furniture is rarely assembled independently; in most cases, the assembly and installation of the set is carried out by the company that manufactured it. Since such organizations provide a guarantee for their products only when ordering installation of structures from them.

Choosing material for a kitchen without upper cabinets

An issue that you should decide fairly quickly to make your search for the perfect shelf easier is the material from which it will be made. Wood is considered a classic choice as it is used in the kitchen. It looks great in Provence style.

Now you can approach the choice of material with complete imagination, because designers are so original that they create shelves from...:

• fake diamond,
• plastic,
• glass
• and even metal.

Wood is universal, which is why it is most often chosen. Wooden shelves are durable and practical, they are easy to make with your own hands and repair.

Glass

Glass models are just as practical as glass ones and look very cool and lightweight. Glass allows light to pass through and is easy to keep clean. The main thing is to use only hardened material. The disadvantage is that it is quite difficult to make such a shelf with your own hands, and special connectors with:

• rubber gasket;
• rubber gasket; - clamping bolts.

This will fix the glass as securely as possible and prevent it from accidentally falling out.

Plastic

Plastic is a cheap and easy-to-clean material, but should not be placed near a stove, especially a gas stove. Plastic shelves themselves are not the most durable, so this material is rarely used in the kitchen, although it is easy to work with even with your own hands. You can place on them:

• small vases and figurines;
• Photo frames;
• light meals;
• spices in jars.

Shelves of fancy shapes are not uncommon and help to emphasize the originality of the interior.

Metal

Originality is a characteristic feature of metal shelving. It is better to choose appliances made of stainless steel or other metals that do not rust, otherwise they will not survive in the microclimate of your kitchen. It is difficult to work with metal at home, so you should look for ready-made options. They come in a variety of colors, such as chrome and gold plated.

This material has many advantages:

• reliability - even with a small thickness they can withstand significant weight (if installed correctly);
• durability;
• beauty;
• easy to clean.

The most popular option for a metal rack is a mesh basket for storing and drying freshly washed dishes.

Stone

Real stone weighs a lot and requires special care, so it is rarely used. Artificial stone, on the other hand, is much lighter and more pliable, so it can be installed almost anywhere. The most common place for such shelves is

• above the fireplace - real or artificial;
• on a tabletop made of the same material;
• on the side columns.

Artificial stone is environmentally friendly, durable and looks great in almost any design.

Other modern materials

Sometimes you'll find shelves that look like they were cut into the wall, like the one in the photo above. In fact, you don't need to saw anything - such a structure is very easy to make from plasterboard supported by metal profiles. The most important thing is to finish the job with putty to hide the seams. Then you can be creative and decorate it however you like, but usually it is painted to match the color of the wall.

Shelves can also be made of chipboard or MDF. Their feature is a hidden fastening, which creates the impression that the shelf is simply floating in the air. However, this has a drawback - such a mount is not strong enough, so it is better not to place heavy objects on such a coating.

The most important thing when choosing a shelf is to find a texture that will harmonize with the overall interior of the kitchen. For example, glossy steel shelves are only suitable for modern styles such as fusion, minimalism and hi-tech.

Selection of style

Many people believe that a kitchen without an upper tier of wall cabinets and modern style (or Provence) are incompatible concepts. However, there are ready-made design options. The designs can be seen in the photo, which will help you choose the appropriate style.

Provence

The interior, designed in this style, looks very romantic and is most often decorated in Khrushchev buildings. A Provence kitchen without wall cabinets will remind you of a bright country life. You can choose a design from real photos in the selection below. ​

This is interesting

!

Most often, softened shades of wheat, turquoise, mustard, lavender, and olives are used for such an interior.

Furniture fittings must be made from natural materials. A characteristic feature of Provence is the imitation of antiquity. Another feature of this style is the use of many wooden shelves.

Attributes typical of a Provençal interior: fireplace hood, carved wooden shelves, vases with flowers, light pink kitchen furniture, wood flooring.

Arrangement of a kitchen without upper cabinets

Designing a kitchen without upper cabinets requires good planning and space. This is worth remembering when choosing furniture. The most common countertop depth is 60-62 cm. This is dictated by the width of the MDF boards from which countertops are usually made, as well as the size of the appliances.

A deeper worktop also means longer drawers and therefore more storage space (under a 70cm deep worktop you can install drawers on 65cm rather than 55cm runners).

However, keep in mind that any non-standard kitchen design solution costs more. No one needs to be convinced that drawers and drawers are more convenient than shelves. When you pull out a drawer, you can see everything in it, and best of all, you don't have to bend over.

Placing an oven or microwave on your kitchen counter also has obvious benefits. Not only is it easier for you to control the cooking process, but you also don't have to lift heavy cookware.

Advantages and disadvantages

Kitchen sets without wall cabinets have long become popular and have the following advantages:

1. Easy to maintain and clean. The upper cabinets in classic sets have a large height, where dust accumulates. Not all housewives find it easy to remove without outside help.

1. Low cost.

1. Practicality. With a small number of storage spaces, less trash and unnecessary utensils accumulate.

1. Convenience. In a single-tier set, everything is located at hand; there is no need to substitute chairs or stools to reach the item.

1. These models are suitable for small spaces and can be installed anywhere.

1. There is no danger of the top tier falling due to poor quality fastening or excessive filling.

A kitchen design without upper cabinets is suitable for petite housewives.

But this type of kitchen also has disadvantages:

• minimal space for storing equipment, kitchen utensils, items;
• when communications are located on the walls, they cannot be hidden;
• you have to constantly monitor the cleanliness and ideal condition of open areas;
• a single-level set accommodates a minimum number of things if additional storage space is not used.

Before purchasing this model, you need to evaluate the pros and cons, think about the location of household appliances (washing machine, stove, refrigerator, microwave oven), and the arrangement of furniture.

How to organize storage?

If you think ahead about where you'll store dishes, spices, and all those things that most homeowners are used to storing in upper cabinets, you won't have to sacrifice convenience and functionality for a trendy design. Here's how to replace conventional storage.

Fit everything in the lower cabinets

You may think that you don't need that many upper cabinets, but that's not true. How can you determine this? Here are some signs:

1. Most of the shelves at the top are empty because you don't need a lot of storage space for your small family. And you don't have all the nooks and crannies crammed into the lower cabinets.
2. You don't see a problem in bending down more often to get the necessary kitchen utensils.
3. You are open to new design ideas and would love to swap your regular dish drainer for an unusual one built into the bottom drawer.

If you answered “yes” to at least one of the above statements, it’s time to think about what section you will allocate for plates, cups, where you will put pots and pans, and where there will be a new place to store cereals. Here are some suggestions on how you can fit it all into your base cabinets.

Pots and pans storage ideas Drying in the bottom drawer

Store in pencil cases, cupboards, on racks

One tall wardrobe like this can replace the entire top row of a medium-sized wardrobe.

Even in a small kitchen you can find room for one such tall cabinet, and in some cases you can even install two.

3. Use the space under the sink wisely

Even with a deep sink, the space underneath can be put to good use. Use hooks for hanging gloves and brushes, storage containers, drawers. Here are some ideas on how you can use this area.

Storage spaces

A good option for storing things is a set with a built-in sink and stove and floor cabinets. For convenience, it is necessary to think in advance about the filling of each section, especially under the sink: buy additional shelves, containers, equip them with baskets, shelves, carousels.

The disadvantage of single-level kitchens is the minimum storage space, unlike a classic set. But it can be replaced with one of the following options:

• column cabinet;
• buffet;
• sideboard;
• open shelves;
• railing;
• racks;
• pencil case.

An additional option for storing things is a wall cabinet, where you can store frequently used kitchen utensils and food.

How to distribute kitchen appliances

To prevent the removal of the upper part of the kitchen unit from leading to a lack of storage space, furniture pieces are provided for the kitchen in which you can place household appliances and large utensils.

Storage space can be organized by:

• open shelving;
• high units;
• Built-in modular shelving.

They can be used to store kitchen utensils, spices, bottles, jars and containers for bulk products. The best place to install devices is at the base of a cabinet consisting of several shelves. This makes the shelves less cluttered and the interior more harmonious and rational.

Shelves for white equipment, such as bread makers, deep fryers, multicookers, coffee grinders, etc., should be quite massive and very durable. A large cabinet will accommodate not only all kinds of dishes, but also large household appliances, such as a microwave oven.

Warning.

The stove should be at a distance of 1.2-2 m from the sink, and the refrigerator - 1.2-2.5 m.

How to decorate the interior

The layout of a single-level small kitchen should be not only practical, but also attractive in appearance. To decorate a wall without upper wall cabinets above the work surface, you need to carefully select high-quality materials.

Idea

!

It can be decorated with ceramics, natural stone, heat-resistant glass. But using standard wallpaper in the kitchen work area is very impractical.

Lighting organization

Lighting in kitchens is usually controlled by a central light fixture. This often causes problems in rooms where you have to cook with your back to the light. If there are no wall cabinets, good all-round lighting can be provided by installing wall lamps.

Lighting options:

• Classic lamps - they are attached to walls freed from cabinets;
• LED strips - these are attached to the wall or to the underside of shelves if you need it;
• installation of movable structures, if we need reverse lighting - we can direct the light to the sink, stove or countertop;
• traditional ceiling chandeliers - suspended or built into a suspended ceiling.

In a kitchen without upper cabinets, both pendant and spotlights along the walls will look great.

Box mounting

The main criterion for choosing fasteners is its reliability. The ideal installation method is when part of the cabinets rests on a support box. It can be played out in an interesting way and harmoniously fit into the interior, or made hidden.

The visible box often becomes the highlight of the interior. It is given an unusual shape, or an emphasis is placed on a contrasting color.

For modern and high-tech styles, a common solution is when the box is decorated with a mirror base, deliberately drawing attention to it.

When installing a hidden support box, it is made narrow (no more than a third of the total width of the cabinets) and placed along the far wall of the set. In this case, you can only notice such a stand by looking into the gap between the floor and the lower cabinets.

The advantage of this installation is that part of the load passes from the wall to the box, thereby relieving the fasteners. The downside is that the kitchen only partially floats.

Recommendations for small kitchens

When choosing furniture for a “Khrushchev” building, you need to take a closer look at the single-level set. Several open shelves will allow you to place all the necessary utensils and will not create a feeling of clutter.

When creating an interior for a kitchen of modest dimensions, designers advise:

• give preference to light colors (milky, gray, blue);
• refuse massive furniture;
• leave one height-adjustable chandelier on the ceiling;
• use styles - Provence, country, minimalism, modern.
• open walls, decorate with mosaics, imaginary bricks, glass or laminated chipboard panels.

The basic principle of decorating small rooms is the need to rationally use the available areas.

Backlight

Pendant lighting is very popular. Soft diffused light coming from under the cabinets emphasizes the floating effect. Backlighting can be organized in two ways:

• LED strip. This option is the most popular. The color of the backlight can be either matching the tone of the headset or contrasting with it. Monochrome lighting is chosen for the minimalist style; bright and contrasting shades are more common in modern and high-tech styles;

• lamps. They are usually attached to the bottom wall of the cabinet, but sometimes they are placed directly on the load-bearing wall. When distributing lighting fixtures, you need to ensure that the lighting is uniform. Separate spots of light create a feeling of incompleteness.

When choosing a place to install the lighting, you need to control one point - the lighting devices should not be visible from a height of human height.

Also, do not forget about safety precautions. In the event of a flood, wiring located too close to the floor may short out. To prevent this from happening, wires and lighting fixtures must be located at a height of at least 15–20 cm from the floor.