Do you dream of a tidy, elegant and airy kitchen? Then maybe it’s time to consider a kitchen without cabinets .
Don’t think that it is unsuitable for everyday life: these kitchen models can also be equipped with shelves, furniture and drawers to contain everything you need and at the same time not to lose elegance and refinement.
Find out how to create a kitchen without cabinets in your home too.
Why opt for a kitchen without cabinets: pros and cons
The kitchen without wall units may seem like an unusual choice, but it is becoming very popular in modern interior design projects because it has numerous advantages :
- It is ideal in small and not very high spaces because it is not invasive and does not saturate the space of a small kitchen ;
- It is a good solution even in irregular spaces , for example an attic, because you can compose it in a very flexible way;
- If you have a dimly lit environment, such a minimal kitchen does not take away the brightness;
- It is economical , because it does not have a fixed number of shelves, and you decide how to put it together;
- It is easy to renovate without spending too much;
- It is the optimal solution for a house to be rented, precisely because of the low cost;
- It is comfortable , because you don’t have high shelves to reach to get the objects you need;
- Since it leaves the walls free, you can indulge in decorations and make it unique.
Some disadvantages of the kitchen without cabinets
However, the kitchen without wall units has some disadvantages compared to classic kitchens to take into consideration.
The first and most obvious is that the objects remain visible on the shelves , so it is essential that everything is always in order.
It is also more difficult to clean , because plates, glasses and visible crockery become dusty more easily. But there are tricks to organize it efficiently: read on to find out which ones.
How to organize a kitchen without cabinets
Having a kitchen without cabinets does not mean having only a work shelf and no storage space, but only leaving the walls free at most .
So usually, a kitchen without wall units is created with furniture closed from the floor: shelves and drawers under the worktop and under the sink, but also column furniture to hide everything you don’t want to be seen, from pots to tea towels to cleaning products.
Even packages or jars with food can be displayed: just organize the pantry well !
Above the worktop , however, there are shelves , which you can use both for the more aesthetically pleasing accessories (plates, glasses, but also small appliances) and for decorations, vases with plants and aromatic herbs, recipe books, pictures, themed ornaments…
If you want to keep plates and glasses visible , don’t mix them with the rest of the decorations, but divide them into sectors, so the final appearance will be tidier.
The accessories you use every day must be within reach, so arrange them on shelves that are not too high, or exposed shelving, or even shelves closed by glass doors.
In this type of kitchen, shelves with integrated hooks for hanging utensils, spices and potholders are very useful.
Lastly, where do we put the extractor hood in a kitchen without wall units ? Here too the solutions are different, very modern and minimal: one alternative is the hood built into the ceiling, which becomes completely invisible, another is the retractable hood installed directly on the worktop.
Examples of kitchens without cabinets
Naturally, kitchens without wall units are not all the same and each one goes with a different style.
Here are some inspirations for you to choose the most suitable one.
White and wood
Two relaxing elements that make the kitchen without wall units airy and very bright. The charm of a classic kitchen in a new modern guise.
Ultramodern with industrial touches
This kitchen without wall units with marble top, golden taps and modern island with induction hob is perfect for those who love luxury without overdoing it. The green details given by the plants and flowers soften the whole.
Country revisited
A warm and welcoming work corner, with everything you need to cook comfortably but without creating mess. Copy the clever and space-saving idea of the roll holder with shelf for condiments and spices.
With exposed shelves
The column with exposed shelving with soft lines is a modern but not rigid touch for organizing objects and utensils.
Flanked by a low cabinet to hold pots and plates, it guarantees you always maintain order and always have everything at hand.
Classic-modern style
An unexpected mix of materials for this classic-modern kitchen, made very warm and welcoming by the wooden shelves. See how the side niche is used with shelves , perfect for storing small objects and tools.
Hidden kitchen
The height of ultra-contemporary elegance: precious materials, latest generation appliances and almost all retractable furniture, without handles for an even cleaner effect.
Copy the detail of the column with backlit glass doors to also display valuable decorations and glassware.
Retro style
The kitchen without wall units doesn’t have to be ultra-modern: look how well it lives with retro suggestions, in this mint-colored space with Seventies tiles. Crockery and objects in nuance complete the look.
Kitchen with niche
The niche becomes the protagonist of this kitchen without wall units which can also be created in a small space, taking advantage of the structural elements of the room.
