Shall we take these units down?

[mckenzie]

We are revamping our kitchen rather than replacing as the layout still really works; we are changing the floor, ceiling lights and cupboard doors etc. We are considering removing these units above the sink. We will have one whole new floor length cupboard as part of the revamp but I can't decide if ample storage is more important than the aesthetic look above the sink.
Thoughts please.

I would, if you don’t need the storage, it looks a bit cluttered...

I'd you're going lighter in colour, I'd keep them. I would love more storage in my tiny kitchen.

We are going lighter yes, and not wood.
Thanks for the replies,
1 of each so far

Switch to shelf unit?

I'd remove them - it will make the kitchen look bigger and more up to date.

I would remove and if you need some space maybe an open shelf!

I would keep the two side cupboards but put glass doors on and lights inside, but remove the overhead cupboards and keep the wooden "bridge" over the top with down lights in.

If it won't match it'll look ever so odd. You could put some shelves up to display nice bits up if that appeals.

Can you do an online plan via the Ikea kitchen planner - you'd get a better idea of what it would look like.

get rid of them. If you are honest with yourself, how much of your storage space is in proper use, and how much of it is just old crap that you never use, or stuff that is stored in the kitchen just because it's got so much storage?

Ooh, thank you so much. Great ideas.
I'm trying now to move 'stuff' around to check we could do without them. We are also loosing a under counter cupboard to fit DH's dream wine fridge so do need to be careful.
But you're right. Lots of things in the kitchen that haven't been used in over a year.
Charity shop yes?

Get rid.

I presume that if you take them down (carefully) then you can put them back up again.
Give it a go. If you don't like the new layout, then reinstate!

Senua, I'm not sure but I'm going to ask the builder- good question. Thank you

It will look so much better if you bin them! To be honest, they are so narrow they can't hold that much stuff, surely? If you need space, you could probably fit more on some display shelves.

Get rid! They don't look symmetrical over the sink unless my eyes deceive me so that would bug me. I like empty walls in kitchens.

Omg, why have I never noticed that they are not symmetrical??
They've got to come down now. Decision made.

You'll not be able to keep them now you've noticed that!!

Hollybolly, I'm itching to rip them down now

I would have ripped them out the day I moved in.

You can replace them with lovely open shelving. The Oxford Shelving Company sell really nice wood shelf brackets, which you can paint to match the walls or any colour you like.

I don't like top cupboards in any kitchen, so I'm biased.

The trouble with open shelves is that things get dusty. Not a problem if you're a more willing cleaner than i am, though!

I clean mine once a year. They do get dusty, but all cupboards do. It takes me about 2 hours to get everything down, wash it and put it back. It's a pain, but worth it, because it's nice being able to see everything you have, reach it all easily and it looks pretty. I only put nice things on the shelves, pans etc go in the cupboards.

I made the decision to have open shelving because I kept opening a top cupboard then bending down and hitting my head on them. I nearly knocked myself out once.

Remove them. You can always add a simple shelf later on if you really need it.