Kitchen top units

[dulcieM]

Are top units in a kitchen necessary? I’ve some kitchens without them and wondered what the advantages and disadvantages of only having bottom units would be.

Not having extra space?

We don't have them. I have some floor to ceiling units, but no wall ones. It makes the room feel bigger. And I'm too short to reach most of the wall cupboard.

You could try shelves if you want a less bulky look.

Im at planning stage but have gone with no wall units. I do have some floor to ceiling units against one wall though.

main disadvantage is less storage, I did mine this way as it feels more open and airy.

I don't think they are. Last three houses I've done away with uppers and added open shelves its more airy and gives nice sight lines imo. In current house completely overhauled the kitchen and I have floor to ceiling pantry cupboards and an island with drawers and fitted recycling bins - no uppers and have no complaints about storage.

I think it depends how big your kitchen is. Maybe in a really big one you could get away with it, but in most small kitchens you'd struggle for storage space without them.

I didn't want to have them either but reconciled myself to it in the end - it helps just having them on one wall if possible, so you're not 'hemmed in'.
And not in a dark shade.

Less storage space

All stored items low down - it’s easier to get things out of wall cupboards and to see what’s there

Wall units tend to be shallower which works better for some stored items (glasses? Mugs? Wouldn’t want them at knee level in a deep cupboard). Maybe with lots of shallow drawers you could store this stuff ok.

It would look nice and open but beware of stylish shelves - v easy for anything stored on them to get dusty and mucky. Probably ok for very tidy clean minimalists.

If you’ve got space and can have more floor-to-ceiling type storage eg pantries, then it might work.