TL;DR
Get kitchen gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Interior designer Lily Walters’ planned kitchen renovation without upper cabinets has renewed a debate about storage versus a more open look. Good Housekeeping reports that 27% of designers surveyed for the NKBA 2027 Kitchen Trends Report expect fewer upper cabinets in their designs over the next three years; the report does not say that most kitchens will go without them.
Interior designer Lily Walters has prompted renewed debate about kitchen storage after sharing plans for a renovation without upper cabinets, and industry data cited by Good Housekeeping suggests some designers expect to use fewer of them. In the NKBA 2027 Kitchen Trends Report, 27% of designers said they expect fewer upper cabinets in their configurations over the next three years, a sign of shifting preferences rather than evidence that the feature is disappearing.
In an Instagram video that Good Housekeeping reported had drawn more than half a million views, Walters asked whether upper cabinets were “dying.” She argued that removing them can make a kitchen feel more open and create more room for design features such as tile or a prominent backsplash. Her own renovation plans, as described in the report, do not include upper cabinetry.
Responses to Walters’ post leaned toward keeping the cabinets, according to Good Housekeeping. Commenters raised practical concerns including storage and the safety of keeping glassware within reach of children. One said the choice felt like “fashion over function”; another described living without upper cabinets for more than a decade before requesting them again in a new kitchen.
Some designers supported Walters’ approach. Carol Estes wrote in the discussion that she tries to persuade clients to forgo upper cabinets, arguing that households often own more items than they need. The report also quoted Magan Bouriot, lead interior designer at CRD Design Build, who said that a cabinet-free look can be difficult for homeowners without a separate pantry. These are professional opinions, not a single agreed standard for kitchen design.
Storage Trade-Offs Shape Kitchen Plans
The debate matters to homeowners planning a renovation because upper cabinets affect more than appearance: they provide everyday storage, while removing them changes where dishes, food and appliances can be kept. A design that looks spacious in a large home with a pantry may not work as well in a smaller kitchen with limited storage elsewhere.
The cited survey figure indicates that a portion of designers anticipate using fewer upper cabinets, but it does not establish how many will remove them entirely or what homeowners will choose. The practical decision depends on household needs, available pantry or lower-cabinet space, and how much open wall area a homeowner wants. Good Housekeeping’s report also describes alternatives, including glass-front cabinets, selected open shelves and extending the backsplash, that can change the visual feel without eliminating all upper storage.
Products Worth Considering
Ninja Mega Kitchen System Blender and Food Processor, 1500W, 72-oz Pitcher, 8-Cup Bowl, Black (BL770)
Ninja French Door Premier Air Fry Oven, 10-in-1, 20.3 Qt, Stainless Steel, FO101
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Wide Dutch Oven, 3.5 qt, Sea Salt
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A Debate Beyond One Renovation
Upper cabinets have long been a familiar part of kitchen layouts, making their removal a noticeable design choice. Walters’ post turned that choice into a public conversation, but the discussion reflects competing priorities rather than a settled change in practice: some people favor an open, less utility-focused room, while others prioritize accessible storage.
The NKBA figure offers a limited indicator of designer expectations. As reported by Good Housekeeping, 27% expect fewer uppers in their cabinet configurations during the next three years. That is not the same as saying 27% expect no upper cabinets, and the source does not provide further detail here about respondents’ project types or how the figure compares with earlier surveys.
“Are upper cabinets dying?”
— Lily Walters, interior designer, in an Instagram video
How Far the Shift Will Go
The available reporting does not establish whether fewer upper cabinets will become a broad design norm, how many planned kitchens will omit them altogether, or whether homeowners will follow designers’ expectations. The NKBA figure is about designers expecting fewer uppers in their configurations; it is not a measure of completed renovations or consumer demand.
It is also unclear how the trend will play out across homes with different layouts and storage needs. Walters’ post generated a large audience, but its view count does not show how viewers ultimately design their own kitchens. The source does not provide a detailed breakdown of survey respondents or a comparison with previous years.
Renovation Choices Remain Individual
The next practical test will be how designers and homeowners apply the idea in real renovation plans over the period covered by the NKBA survey. For now, the reported data points to a possible reduction in upper cabinetry, not a confirmed replacement of the conventional kitchen layout.
Homeowners weighing the choice can compare their storage needs with the space available in lower cabinets, drawers and any pantry before deciding. The discussion is likely to continue as designers share projects and clients balance the appeal of open walls against everyday function; the source material identifies no formal policy change or scheduled industry decision.
Key Questions
Are kitchen upper cabinets becoming obsolete?
No evidence in the report shows they are obsolete. The cited NKBA survey says 27% of designers expect fewer upper cabinets in their configurations over the next three years, not that most designers plan to remove them.
Why are some designers removing upper cabinets?
Supporters, including Lily Walters, say fewer upper cabinets can make a kitchen feel more open and leave more wall area for tile or a backsplash. Designer Carol Estes also argued that reducing excess belongings can make the change more workable.
What is the main concern about removing them?
Storage is the central trade-off. Magan Bouriot said the approach may be impractical for an average homeowner without a separate pantry, and commenters cited everyday function and keeping items out of reach of toddlers.
Can a kitchen feel more open without removing all upper cabinets?
Yes. The Good Housekeeping report points to glass-front cabinets, selective open shelving and an extended backsplash as possible ways to alter the look while retaining some upper storage.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
