Rules and ideas for arranging a kitchen without upper cabinets

It’s hard to surprise a modern person, but technology continues to develop and designers have created something radically new: a wall-hung kitchen. This headset has no legs and seems to float in the air. Hence the name “floating kitchen”.

But how convenient and reliable is such an innovation?

Modern kitchens without upper cabinets: design features

It is known that in modern kitchen interiors they try to completely abandon the upper part of the furniture. This will help open up new possibilities: decorate the wall with decor, free-standing shelves or built-in niches. There are a lot of ideas for solving this issue. But with this approach, some features of the organization must be taken into account:

• If there is no hanging set, there should still be an alternative. To do this, they try to use wide shelves on which you can place not only dishes, but also spectacular flowerpots with various variations of decor.
• If the wall area cannot be completely occupied, then it can be additionally decorated with paintings or framed photographs: standard copies or photographs using various filters are suitable.
• When finishing the apron, they try to use the entire free height. Materials of the same type or differing in shade are suitable for this. Moreover, such a wall can be additionally decorated with painting, if the color of the finishing canvas allows.

Stylish black set Source freelancehack.ru

• When there are no wall cabinets in the kitchen, the space is organized in the most unexpected way. In place of the headset there may be useful little things and various culinary tips. In case a metallic finish is used for the backsplash, themed magnets can be attached to it.
• Often they use a built-in top of the set, while the lower part remains ordinary and no different from the standard type of kitchen furniture. Internal niches can be closed using flaps or left open.

Kitchen interior for chalet style Source dekormyhome.ru
Modern kitchens do well without the use of wall cabinets. After all, in the design of such interiors, placing a large number of dishes is not recommended. In addition, now there will be no place for dust to accumulate.

On a note! A great example is the partial hanging of an overhead set. The arrangement of cabinets looks impressive not just in a chaotic, but in a checkerboard pattern.

Marble countertops Source happymodern.ru/
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior remodeling.

Reorganization of the construction niche

Older apartment buildings have a large number of wall niches and alcoves, which can also be used for practical purposes. The walls and floor of such a niche are leveled, covered with an antiseptic, moisture-resistant compound and antifungal solution.

After decorative finishing, you can arrange a niche: shelves, rails, hooks. Plastic boxes with lids are excellent for storing dishes and bulk products.

How to fit everything in a kitchen without upper cabinets

When a housewife completely refuses to use upper cabinets, a problem often arises, because there is a shortage of materials for installing equipment and storing utensils. In this case, you need to organize everything correctly.

Kitchen design in modern style Source mywoman.pp.ua

They try to think through the content of the upper modules. It is advisable to place glassware, beautiful pots and pans on these. New, undamaged utensils should be visible. If some accessories are still stored in boxes, then it is better to put them in built-in, lockable niches or choose the far corner of the floor set.

Kitchen without upper shelves Source yandex.ru

Some products, such as citrus fruits and vegetables, can be kept in a flowerpot on rails and open shelves at the top. But please note that this method should be temporary, since exposure to hot air will spoil even the freshest product.

Give preference to a lower unit with plenty of deep drawers. Cutlery and small dishes (shot glasses, shot glasses, glasses) should be conveniently hidden in them. Choose one sliding module with closers and a deep bottom. It will be useful for containing bottles with liquid products (vinegar, essence, oil).

Kitchen design for 13 squares Source orsha.eco-ceiling.by

As for household appliances, it is preferable to hide them in furniture or pre-prepared niches. If this is not possible, then the equipment is placed in the corner of the room next to the work area. Oversized electrical appliances (coffee maker, microwave, multicooker) can be placed directly on the countertop. But only on the condition that the kitchen without upper cabinets has impressive dimensions or at least a monofunctional corner (the space is not used).

Brick, stone or tile masonry

All materials used are distinguished by their stylish design, extreme strength, and ease of installation on the underlying surface. In practice, not only classic ceramic tiles are used, but also mosaics, stencil masonry, and glass blocks.

A new product on the construction products market – XXL format tiles – is used for modern interior styles (Loft, minimalism). Such coatings not only add style and gloss to the kitchen, but also meet all safety requirements.

What do kitchens without wall cabinets gain in and what do they lose to the standard?

A kitchen without upper wall cabinets is a good alternative to the usual standard exclusively in a modern interior. With this design organization, the practice of chaos, minor disorder, is possible. In other words, many things are allowed to be visible. However, this approach has its advantages and disadvantages.

Kitchen with dining area without upper tier Source www.houzz.fr

The quality of the interior in a style without wall kitchen cabinets depends on a lot. If you use such furniture, there are some advantages:

• lightness of the situation (lack of bulkiness on the walls and cramped spaces);
• excellent access of light to all objects in the room;
• the opportunity to implement different ideas for decoration;
• lack of dust collectors (on the covers of wall-mounted furniture);
• the furniture set is very conveniently located near the window (the work area becomes incredibly bright).

White kitchen without upper cabinets Source new.rushi.net/
But a kitchen without upper cabinets also has disadvantages:

• In the absence of them, for someone the space will look unfinished, especially when there is no good cladding and complete preparation of the free space for use.
• It is impossible to place a dish drainer so that it does not become an eyesore. In order not to spoil the aesthetics, you have to purchase an elegant, expensive grille model.
• The presence of a visible hood greatly spoils the space, especially if there is a floor-mounted tall pencil case or refrigerator nearby. As an option, use a structure that moves away and folds against the wall.
• Inability to use your favorite shade palette. For example, if your soul is drawn to snow-white, then such an environment will be extremely unsuccessful without top contrast. The same applies to all models with a light spectrum of colors.
• A spectacular full-wall finishing of the vacated space is required. With hanging options available, you could simply install a short splashback to complete the design.

On a note! The area above the sink can remain free, but it would be even more rational to organize a shelf with a lattice bottom above it. It will serve to install a stand for just washed dishes.

Homely atmosphere Source uutvdome.ru

Organization of space under the table

In just a few steps you can turn the free space under the dining table into a high-quality system for storing dishes, food, and household appliances.

Additional accessories include boxes with lids, hanging hooks, and metal mesh. Also, having experience in handling a plane and a jigsaw, you can make a frame and drawers.

Apron for a kitchen without upper cabinets

It is known that the absence of an upper kitchen tier is fashionable. Accordingly, in its place a spectacular work area should be created - a beautiful apron. To prevent empty space from being conspicuous, it is necessary to organize it correctly. It is recommended to adhere to some standards:

• The height of the future apron should be 60 cm. You can deviate from the standard only if a completely unusual design style is envisaged. Perhaps there will be some kind of dimensional decor.
• Choose backsplash models made from ceramic or porcelain tiles. They lead not only in quality, but also in durability. When installed correctly, they are also pleasing in appearance.
• If it is a metal surface, then it is better to choose canvases of a silver, matte shade. This design will later serve for the installation of roof rails and magnetic stands for knives.
• The wall can be covered with plastic. But it’s best if it’s heat-resistant and accurately imitates wood in texture, inclusive. This style will give the free space naturalness and richness.
• When the apron does not occupy the upper part of the wall (to the ceiling), then it is better to decorate the rest of the space with decorative plaster, which can later be painted. Don't take risks with wallpaper. Over time, they begin to fade and become yellowish.

But even with this approach, you should not completely abandon various hanging objects. Brighten up an empty wall with non-standard shelves (you can use metal ones).

Modern kitchen without upper cabinets Source btnk.tilda.ws/

Selecting a layout

We have to show maximum rationalism to compensate for the lack of upper shelves. Options for kitchen layouts without wall cabinets with descriptions and real photos:

1. Direct kitchen. It is also called linear or classical. All cabinets are lined up against one wall. A sink is placed near the work surface, and a hob and refrigerator are located nearby.
2. Corner kitchen. The cabinets are arranged in the letter “G”. Also, an angle along two adjacent walls can be formed by installing floor cabinets. This option allows you to create a classic kitchen triangle - “sink-stove-refrigerator”. It is universal and suitable for rooms of any size.
3. U-shaped solution. The lower cabinets are placed along three walls. This allows you to create the most comfortable working area. This solution provides maximum space for arranging utensils and dishes. The P-option is suitable only for medium-sized and large-sized rooms - it will look out of place in small kitchens.
4. With an island. This fashionable solution today involves placing the main work surface on top of a hob, oven, sink, dishwasher - there are many options. Suitable only for rooms over 20 sq. m.

The most popular layout option currently is the kitchen island. It looks great in spacious kitchens, providing comfort and functionality to all kitchen elements. It is important that the island solution is suitable for almost all interior styles.

Kitchen with hood without upper cabinets

A kitchen without wall cabinets requires careful attention when choosing an exhaust hood. Its proper organization can focus attention specifically on the cooking area. Therefore, such an element is chosen taking into account the style that the room corresponds to. Models hidden under the decor will not be appropriate. Here you need to choose something more elegant, and therefore more expensive.

White kitchen with black hood Source www.easternbelles.com

A kitchen hood on a white wall will look great. This interior option is acceptable, since all the snow-whiteness will be diversified by the equipment. An exhaust hood can be voluminous, with streamlined or clear geometric shapes.

White kitchen with wooden elements Source uutvdome.ru/

A hood in the corner looks very impressive if the additional empty space is equipped with wooden shelves and niches. As decoration on the wall there can be a pancake module of furniture from the tabletop to the ceiling. It can remain empty or become useful storage for small items.

In grey-beige Source www.faberhoods.co.uk

When the set is partially hung and the cooking surface is located in the center of the work area, you can use different types of hoods: from round to rectangular. A design with smooth soft corners and sloping sides will fit into a modern or minimalist design style. Such models look good above induction hobs.

Modern kitchen without upper cabinets with a black work apron Source yandex.ru

A hanging umbrella with an air duct can be installed flush with the shelf directly above the splashback. It is desirable that the design differs in color from the niche. This way the functional area will stand out better against its background.

Design option Source mobi-up.ru

They practice low placement of hoods on a partially empty wall. The equipment is usually combined in shade with the lower tier of the headset. Characteristic of the loft style with an apron made of natural brick without additional decor.

Construction of shelves on the wall

The freed up space above the work area can only be partially decorated. The remaining surface is used to organize storage systems.

One of the best options is to make open shelves. They can be arranged in a checkerboard, linear or random order. Shelves allow you to add enough free space for storing dishes, bulk cereals in jars, other products and small household appliances.

Kitchen with hanging base cabinets

Thinking about practicality, many people practice using hanging floor cabinets. This is very convenient because additional niches can be installed above the floor. Moreover, the floor is very convenient to clean. Dirt will never accumulate under the headset. But to attach such modules you need to take into account a few simple rules:

• In addition to wall brackets, when installing wall-mounted kitchen models above the floor, you will also need to build some kind of holding structure. With its help, the operation of the lockers will be safe.
• It is better to use wall clamps with several holes for dowels. Sometimes regular hooks are not enough. All furniture will gradually begin to settle, which will cause sagging in the countertop.
• The lower sheathing (under the cabinets) will serve as a good place for organizing lighting from diodes or daytime low-power lamps. It is convenient to install lighting in such a space, and all the wiring will be hidden between the boards and will not be visible.
• Be sure to check the permissible load after installing the housing. You can do a simple test: sit on a tabletop. If the structure holds up, then the dishes can be stored inside.

Moreover, in wall-hung models you can also install built-in household appliances. This can be a set of oven and induction hob. Such a design may look different.

Half-wall headset models are very common. Their facade can have a glossy shine or remain matte. Such lower wall cabinets must be illuminated. The result is the impression of a floating kitchen.

Non-standard solution Source alur-mebel.com

When using a partial upper set, the hood above the suspended lower modules can be designed as an elongated structure. This surface will act as a shelf. Together with the “floating” facade it will visually lengthen the space.

Creative kitchen with rounded surfaces Source www.cherryhouse.ru/

It is very convenient to have hanging shelves and deep drawers above the floor. They don't take up free space. This kitchen detail can even be organized as a small bar counter.

Hanging structures in the kitchen can be not only in the form of cabinets. Often a similar mounting option is used for separate bar counters. If a countertop of this design is made of marble or granite, then it needs additional fastening.

Hanging module in the kitchen Source st.hzcdn.com

Advantages and disadvantages

Wall-hung kitchens can have any height from the floor, at the choice of the buyer or customer. There are no restrictions here. Mainly operate within the framework of existing standards.

Before you buy something similar at Ikea or another store, assemble it yourself, or turn to specialists, it’s worth looking at the strengths and weaknesses of wall-hung kitchen furniture.

The advantages here are:

• attractive and non-standard appearance;
• free access to the space under the cabinets;
• improved air circulation;
• no accumulation of dirt on the legs or along the base;
• protection of furniture from water getting under the lower cabinets;
• preventing accidental injury when hitting the legs.

But, reading reviews and objectively studying this issue, some obvious shortcomings are revealed.

In the case of hanging kitchens, the disadvantages will be:

• high price;
• problems with equipment installation;
• Individual order only;
• no ready-made solutions;
• increased requirements for wall strength;
• the need for smooth walls;
• with minimal deviation from the level, problems arise;
• takes up useful space;
• the need to constantly clean under the cabinets.

If you do not meet several important conditions, even with all your desire, you will not be able to install wall-mounted kitchen furniture.

Optimal color scheme for a kitchen without a top

First of all, pay attention to the style of the interior, and only then decide on the choice of a suitable shade. For example, headset modules without upper structures should be chosen taking into account the shade of the room's cladding. According to designers, the most fashionable colors in the palette are:

• bright with notes of tenderness (lime, green, ash brown);
• enchanting (with paintings on the walls and façade, red, orange, pink, lilac);
• peaceful (calm pastel colors: beige, gray, white extremely rarely);
• airy (blue, turquoise, blue with whitish stripes).

Other design options are available. At the same time, cabinets should not look pretentious and rude against the general background of the room. The design of a kitchen without upper cabinets will turn out to be original if you try to alternate different shades of the lower set when arranging.

Neat shelves above the work surface Source akuhnja.com

On a note! If the kitchen has built-in household appliances located on the lower tier, its doors can be highlighted with a different, similar shade. This option is especially attractive if the equipment is located on both sides of the modules.

Wall design without cabinets with decor Source kitchenguide.su/

Interesting lighting ideas

Today, lighting manufacturers and craftsmen can offer apartment owners a lot of options:

• Wall lamps (sconces, fluorescent lamps).
• Ceiling chandeliers (classic, suspended above the dining table, built into suspended ceilings).
• LED strips that can be installed directly on a wall freed from cabinets.
• Modular spotlights.

Ribbons with spotlights located along the wall, which focus attention on the decorative elements, will look interesting.

Hitarp

Shabby chic, Provence, country, classic, retro - lovers of these trends will be pleased with the simple and functional “Hitarp” series, which has already become a sales favorite. Its advantage is a new convenient system for attaching wall cabinets.

Simple lines, panels and glass inserts on the facades and charming “antique” wall cabinets, as if made by hand, will provide a comfortable and calm interior. Light shades and vertical stripes tend to expand and stretch the space, so the series is suitable for both spacious and small kitchens.

The material used is chipboard or fibreboard, coated with acrylic and polyester paint; the glass is made using tempering technology. The monotony of the white kitchen interior provides endless opportunities for creativity and flight of fancy.

There is one more tricky design maneuver. The fact is that the composition and design of the Hitarp series is similar to the headsets of the Filipstad, Budbin, Kallarp, ​​Albru and Knoxkhult series. Therefore, some elements - table top, handles, etc. can be borrowed from them.

Thanks to the modular system, you can easily combine different colors of the facades, make a black top, white bottom, or complement a bright red corner set with black horizontal surfaces.

Creating a unified style for the kitchen space

Well-chosen interior elements will create a harmonious interior

For those entering the kitchen, the first visual impression is a fragment of the wall above the level of the countertop, so designers are always concerned with decorating it, placing on it a special screen (apron) made of a variety of materials.

Installing an apron

The function of the screen is broader than just the aesthetic transformation of space; it protects the wall from all surprises that arise during the cooking process (splashes, fumes, high temperatures), and is constructed of surfaces that ensure ease of maintenance. The protective screen must resist the effects of water and the aggressiveness of household chemicals, since hygiene requires frequent use.

The combination of functionality and decorativeness is the main advantage of this kitchen element, therefore the following are preferred as its basis:

• ceramic tile;
• triplex (tempered glass), often acquires a decorative surface during the production process;
• polished metal;
• porcelain stoneware;
• fake diamond;
• laminated MDF panels;
• PVC plastic;
• linoleum.

Kitchen countertop diagram.

The dimensions of the kitchen “apron” depend on the size of the working surface of the countertop and have a height of 60-80 cm; it can be a solid panel or consist of fragments, edged with moldings or secured with brass screws. Read how to choose an artistic kitchen panel made from MDF using this link.

In order to achieve a decorative effect, it is illuminated or, if the material is transparent, a base substrate with a print is used, or, as an option, photo printing on the surface.

Wall top

When choosing a wall-mounted countertop for your kitchen, you need to take into account its weight and performance characteristics. A tabletop made of natural material is very durable, but the weight of such a structure may not be able to withstand the fasteners and walls.

For the manufacture of countertops the following are used:

• Chipboard. A countertop made of this material will have to be replaced every 5-10 years, but due to its affordable price, it is possible to periodically update the kitchen interior;
• MDF and HDF with laminate coating. This countertop will last 10-20 years with proper care;
• Fake diamond. The base of the table top is made of MDF and covered with quartz chips. In appearance, such a countertop is indistinguishable from a product made of natural stone;
• Stone veneer. This MDF board covered with a layer of natural stone is a reliable and durable structure;

Stencil painting

Today, several dozen ready-made stencils of all possible shapes and sizes are known. These include PVC films, cardboard templates, and silicone molds.

Lighting fixtures (for example, built-in spotlights) can be located along the contour of the wall. Sets of pottery or dishes made using the papier-mâché technique are installed on the shelves. Plates with decorative paintings can be attached directly to the wall.

Today, modern photo printing and various types of painting are often used to decorate the kitchen area. The interior of a kitchen without cabinets is a shining example of style and comfort for small spaces.

Popularity of IKEA furniture

The IKEA brand has gained wide popularity throughout the planet thanks to the special manufacturing technology of its products.
The simplicity of lines and restraint of design of such samples are successfully combined with high functionality. The kitchens of this manufacturer have distinctive features:

• use of advanced modern materials in production: solid wood, MDF, chipboard. For cladding, high-quality birch or oak veneer is used, tinting with stain or polyester paint is used;
• high quality workmanship and low price;
• a wide range of models, colors, textures;
• matches any style;
• convenience of models;
• absolute safety, including for children;
• the ability to independently create and change the furnishings of the room.

The use of cabinets of any size allows you to economically use every area of ​​space, making kitchens spacious. Pull-out drawers make the contents clearly visible, and the modular system simplifies the assembly process and helps change the look of the room. By easily changing cabinet doors or individual fittings, you can change the external design beyond recognition.

IKEA furniture comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and materials. The presence of pastel colors creates the idyll of a cozy home. On the other hand, the brightness of the colors and practicality will appeal to people who value activity and movement. Gloss on white surfaces looks noble and luxurious.

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.