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Interior designer Lily Walters’ plan for a kitchen without upper cabinets has prompted debate about open design versus everyday storage. Good Housekeeping reports that 27% of designers surveyed for the NKBA 2027 Kitchen Trends Report expect to use fewer upper cabinets in their designs over the next three years.
Interior designer Lily Walters has sparked a debate about whether kitchens need upper cabinets after sharing plans for a renovation without them, while a trade-group survey points to some designers planning fewer. Good Housekeeping reports that 27% of designers expect to include fewer upper cabinets in their cabinet configurations over the next three years, according to the NKBA 2027 Kitchen Trends Report.
In an Instagram video, Walters questioned whether upper cabinets are falling out of favor and described design benefits of removing them. She said kitchens without them can feel more open, leave room for prominent tile or backsplash designs, and avoid a boxed-in look. Her renovation plans became a focal point for viewers weighing appearance against storage and daily use.
Good Housekeeping reported that Walters’ post received more than half a million views. The publication said most of the replies it described favored keeping upper cabinets. Some commenters raised the needs of households with young children or called the cabinet-free approach “fashion over function”; another said they had lived without uppers for more than a decade but wanted them back in a new kitchen.
Other commenters supported the open look. Designer Carol Estes said she tries to persuade clients to remove upper cabinets, arguing they may have more belongings than they need. The report also cited NKBA survey results: 27% of designers said they expect fewer upper cabinets in their designs over the next three years. That figure reflects expectations, not a count of completed renovations or a prediction that most kitchens will lose their upper storage.
Storage Choices Shape Kitchen Plans
The discussion matters to homeowners planning a renovation because upper cabinets affect both available storage and how open a kitchen feels. Removing them may create more visible wall space for tile, make a room feel less enclosed, and change where everyday items are kept. But those design gains come with practical trade-offs, especially when a home lacks another place to store dishes, food, or small appliances.
For anyone comparing layouts, the debate is a reminder that a popular image online may not reflect the needs of every household. A kitchen with fewer cabinets could require more pantry space, less kitchen equipment, or a willingness to keep some items visible. The reported survey suggests that some designers are considering the change, but does not establish that it is suitable for a typical home or that it is becoming the standard.
The stakes are also financial and long-term: cabinetry is a major part of a kitchen’s layout, and changing storage after renovation can be difficult. Homeowners may want to weigh how they cook, what they store, and whether they have a separate pantry before adopting a design built around less concealed storage.
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The Debate Behind the Open Look
Upper cabinets have long been a common way to store kitchen essentials within reach. The current discussion, as described by Good Housekeeping, centers on whether that familiar arrangement is necessary in every kitchen—not on a formal change to building rules or a finding that cabinets are outdated.
Walters’ post brought the question to a broad audience, but the report also includes opposing professional views. Magan Bouriot, lead interior designer at CRD Design Build, said the move away from upper cabinets is driven largely by social media and aspirational images of large, high-end homes. She argued that the approach can be impractical for average homeowners without a separate pantry in which to keep items out of sight.
Bouriot said homeowners seeking a lighter feel do not necessarily have to remove their upper cabinets. She suggested glass-front cabinets, selective open shelving, or extending the backsplash as alternatives. The report presents these as design options, not as proven solutions for every kitchen or household.
“Are upper cabinets dying, because this week on ‘things I’m questioning as a designer,’ I’m questioning upper cabinets.”
— Lily Walters, interior designer, in an Instagram video
How Many Kitchens Will Change?
The available reporting does not show how many homeowners are actually removing upper cabinets, or whether the NKBA figure will translate into completed projects. The 27% figure describes designers’ expectations for the next three years; the report does not provide a comparison baseline or establish how the remaining designers plan to configure cabinets.
It is also unclear how the trend varies by home size, budget, household needs, or access to a pantry. Walters’ post drew substantial attention, but its view count and the comments reported by Good Housekeeping do not establish what most homeowners prefer. The source material does not provide a full survey methodology or detailed breakdown of respondents.
Homeowners Weigh Storage Against Openness
The next indication of whether the discussion affects design practice may come from future kitchen trend surveys and renovation plans. For now, the reported NKBA outlook points to fewer upper cabinets in some designers’ plans, not their disappearance from kitchens.
Homeowners considering the choice can compare the space gained with the storage lost, including whether a pantry or other cabinets can take over. Designers cited in the report also point to middle-ground options—such as glass-front cabinetry, limited open shelves, or a more prominent backsplash—that can change the room’s appearance while retaining some upper storage. The best fit depends on the home and how its residents use the kitchen.
Key Questions
Are upper kitchen cabinets becoming less common?
The report cites an NKBA survey in which 27% of designers expect to use fewer upper cabinets in their designs over the next three years. That is a reported expectation, not evidence that most kitchens are removing them.
Why do some designers favor kitchens without upper cabinets?
Supporters say removing them can make a kitchen feel more open and leave space for tile or backsplash details. Designer Carol Estes also argued that reducing stored belongings can make fewer cabinets workable for some clients.
What is the main practical concern about removing upper cabinets?
Homeowners lose storage close to the work area. Magan Bouriot said a cabinet-free design may be impractical for people without a separate pantry or another place to keep kitchen items.
Can a kitchen feel more open without removing all its upper cabinets?
Bouriot suggested glass-front cabinets, selective open shelving, and extending the backsplash as alternatives. The report does not identify one approach as best for every household.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
