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a kitchen with blue cabinets and white tile walls
Walker Woodworking

LIFE, STYLED

The Open Concept: Embracing Kitchen Design without Upper Cabinets

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In recent years, kitchen design trends have shifted toward a more open-concept and airy feel, moving away from traditional closed-off layouts. One standout trend is the elimination of upper cabinets in favor of open shelving or a more minimalistic aesthetic. This approach enhances the sense of spaciousness and complements the open-concept style, offering greater creative freedom in both layout and design.

Embracing Minimalism

The absence of upper cabinets in a kitchen can instantly create a sense of airiness and openness. It allows for uninterrupted sightlines, making the kitchen more extensive and inviting. This design choice is particularly effective in smaller kitchens, where upper cabinets sometimes make the space cramped.

a kitchen with blue cabinets and white countertops
Walker Woodworking

Functional Alternatives

While losing storage space might seem daunting, several functional alternatives to traditional upper cabinets exist. Floating shelves, for example, can be a stylish and practical solution. They provide a place to display decorative items or frequently used kitchenware while maintaining an open and airy feel.

Creating Visual Interest

Without upper cabinets, there is an opportunity to create visual interest in the kitchen. This can be achieved through statement backsplashes, bold paint colors, or eye-catching lighting fixtures. The absence of upper cabinets allows these design elements to take center stage, adding personality and charm to the space.

Practical Considerations

When designing a kitchen without upper cabinets, practicality must be considered. This includes ensuring that there is enough storage space in other areas of the kitchen, such as lower cabinets, drawers, or a pantry. It’s also important to consider the placement of appliances and other functional elements to ensure ease of use and efficiency.

a wood shelves with fruit and a bowl of teapot on it
Walker Woodworking

Conclusion

Designing a kitchen without upper cabinets can be a bold and refreshing choice. It allows for a more open and airy feel, creates opportunities for creative design elements, and can make a small kitchen feel larger. With careful planning and consideration of functional needs, this design approach can result in a stylish and practical kitchen that is both functional and beautiful.

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A kitchen with a close up of a gold sink faucet on a marble countertopWalker Woodworking

Finish, Style, & More: Selecting your Faucet

Design Notes

We love spaces that look beautiful, but many times we underestimate the little things that can have the biggest impact. Facets provide our bathrooms and kitchens with a clean and elegant way to wash our hands, our food, and our dishes. They are a functional part of the design, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. With the numerous styles and finishes offered by manufacturers, it can be challenging to determine which one will best suit your home. Several other factors should also be considered, including durability, maintenance, and suitability for specific areas of the home. Let’s talk about them here before you head out to buy your next amazing faucet.

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July 14, 2022/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Walker-Woodworking-custom-cabinets-brass-sink-fixture-countertop-lighting.jpg?fit=854%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 854 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2022-07-14 16:53:532025-07-24 16:54:19Finish, Style, & More: Selecting your Faucet
a kitchen with a tall refrigerator and drawersWalker Woodworking

What are Paneled Appliances?

Design Notes

If you have looked at a renovated kitchen and wondered where the appliances, such as the refrigerator and dishwasher, were, you have just experienced paneled appliances. The beauty of these custom panels lies in their ability to cover the appliances, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the cabinetry.

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July 14, 2022/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Signature-Refrigerator-Freezer-Combo-Walker-Woodworking-OPENED.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1 1200 800 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2022-07-14 09:31:392025-07-20 09:32:11What are Paneled Appliances?
Greenbrook design logo green and blackGreenbrook Design

One Stop Shopping: Why Make The Drive To Shelby

Design Notes

Many of our clients come to us from an hour or more away, often from the greater Charlotte metro area. A common question we hear is, “Why make the drive to Shelby when there are design centers closer to home?” It’s a fair question—and one we completely understand. That’s why we’d like to share a few key reasons why we believe the experience, service, and value you’ll find at Greenbrook Design make the trip well worth it.

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July 1, 2022/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Greenbrook-logo-032817-01.png?fit=2560%2C1712&ssl=1 1712 2560 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2022-07-01 20:13:002025-07-29 18:23:59One Stop Shopping: Why Make The Drive To Shelby
Custom Cabinets Design built-in’s and rock fireplaceWalker Woodworking

Bringing It All Together: Designing a Focal Point

Design Notes

There are many elements that help assemble the perfect design for your space, such as color, texture, and pattern, but one, in particular, plays a key role in making a statement: the focal point. Without a focal point, a room can feel busy or even boring, as it lacks something that immediately draws the eye. This is one of the reasons it is essential to include a focal point in the design; however, given its critical role, sufficient thought should be given to placing it in the optimal location. How do you design the perfect focal point that stands out without overpowering everything else? How do you best use focal points in a room or design with it in mind? Let’s explore the answers to getting the most out of your focal point.

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June 28, 2022/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/built-in-living-room-cabinets.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2022-06-28 19:35:512025-07-24 19:36:41Bringing It All Together: Designing a Focal Point
Norwalk FurnitureGreenbrook Design

What You Need To Know Before Buying: Tips for Selecting Your Next Sofa

Life, Styled

The sofa is often one of the first things we notice when entering the living room since it tends to be the largest object in the room. We love to stretch out to watch TV or curl up under a blanket to read a book. Sometimes it also ends up being the quick solution to an additional place to sleep when in a bind. Designers have verified that this is a key piece of furniture for the living room, making it a sizable investment when the time comes for it to be replaced. As it is so important to the design, it stands to reason that there should be some things considered before making your next purchase. What things, exactly, should you look for before finalizing your choice, and what makes a sofa perfect for your home? Read on to find out some helpful tips that can assist you in picking your next sofa.

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June 14, 2022/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Koki_Albany_Cremini_300dpi-768x478-1.jpg?fit=768%2C478&ssl=1 478 768 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2022-06-14 19:59:512025-07-24 20:01:44What You Need To Know Before Buying: Tips for Selecting Your Next Sofa
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Shelby, NC 28150

 

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Jan@greenbrookdesign.com
980-404-9600

 

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Vendors require an appointment. Please contact: Jan@greenbrookdesign.com

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