Ideas for a Kitchen with Upper Shelves Instead of Cabinets

Furnishing a kitchen with cabinetry can cost thousands of dollars, and the expense can be far too high. Some people decide on fewer cabinets instead of looking for alternative options that will meet their storage needs. Installing upper shelves instead of cabinets can cut costs considerably. Choosing upper shelves over kitchen cabinetry can make it possible to have more counter space and a lot more room for storage.

Use Upper Shelves Instead of Cabinetry

When my ex husband and I purchased our first home, the kitchen did not have cabinets. It had been completely gutted and remodeled, but the owner did not invest in cabinetry. We found out why. Just a small row of upper and lower cabinets were $1000 more than twenty years ago. If I had it to do over again, I would have selected lower cabinets for both sides of the kitchen. I would have mounted shelves above one set and cabinets above the other. Instead I ended up with very little storage and a kitchen that looked practically empty.

Mount Cube-Style Shelves Just Above the Countertop

Consider mounting modular cube-style shelves just above the countertop. This is particularly helpful if it includes a sunny window or two. The tops of the cube-style shelves can be used to display live plants and an assortment of pretty woven baskets. They are ready to assemble and can be arranged in a number of ways.

The contents of the cubes should depend upon their location. If upper shelves will be placed near the stove, use them for storing spices and cookery. You can use the cubes to hold everything from dishware to commonly used baking supplies. Use the lower cabinets to hold items that are not decorative and less commonly used. Upper shelves provide a great way to display beautiful dishes, old-fashioned kitchen implements and more.

How to Create a Built-In Look with Upper Shelves

In hindsight I would have purchased two freestanding cabinets of the same height to place next to the existing lower cabinets in my first kitchen. In between the cabinets I would have mounted upper shelves. If the freestanding cabinetry would have matched or at least coordinated with the existing lower cabinets, they would have appeared built-in.

I had a lot to learn when furnishing and decorating my first home, but now I can envision how I would have used lower cabinets with upper shelves. I could have created the kitchen of my dreams without spending a small fortune on cabinetry that I did not really need.

Source: Personal and Professional Decorating and Design Experience