What's replacing kitchen wall cabinets? The chic alternatives to consider in 2025

More and more kitchen designs are ditching upper cabinets in favor of a more open and airy scheme. It also tailors toward the desire for a cozier, lived-in space, but what's replacing classic kitchen wall cabinets?

A quick glance at designer-approved kitchen cabinet ideas and you'll find most of them feature wall storage, so what should we be introducing to our schemes instead of traditional cabinets?

It turns out, there are plenty of stylish and timeless options to consider instead. Here are the key ways designers are replacing kitchen wall cabinets in 2025 that still factor in plenty of style and storage.

3 kitchen wall cupboard replacements to try

Don't worry, we're not saying that wall cabinets are going out of style, but there is an emerging desire for something a bit different. Whether it's a kitchen that feels less boxed in or you simply want to switch things up, here are a few less expected options to try.

1. Plate racks

There are a few traditional kitchen features returning to favor this year, particularly those that help to remove the bulky feeling that a full run of upper cabinets often creates.

If there's one design we're seeing more than others, it's the plate rack trend. They offer a great alternative to wall cabinets as they still provide that much-needed storage for dinnerware.

A plate rack also doubles up as decor – especially the designs that allow you to stack your plates in a front-facing way rather than sideways. Displaying your prettiest sets is an easy way to add a decorative, personalized feature to your scheme.

2. Countertop cabinets

In some cases, the traditional wall cabinet is being replaced with a more modern take, which sees the cabinet sitting on top of the countertop. This gives the illusion of a floor-to-ceiling cabinet in a more styled and less-dominant way.

'In 2025, upper wall cabinets will be more integrated into the space or designed as hidden storage. You'll also see more perimeter shelving, with the kitchen island serving as the primary storage workhorse,' says Sallie Lord, of GreyHunt Interiors.

This kitchen is a perfect example. The countertop cabinets add ample storage but don't have that same bulky feeling that normal wall cabinets do. They also add a more designer feel to the space and create a sense of symmetry around the window. If you are wondering should you actually ditch your wall cabinets, this option is a good balance between opening up the room without losing a load of storage.

3. A single narrow shelf

You've probably noticed a lot more kitchen designs cropping up featuring a single narrow shelf above a kitchen backsplash rather than a run of wall cabinets. It's usually only added to one wall of the kitchen, but it has a big impact on the overall look and feel.

It feels like an evolution of the floating kitchen shelving ideas that were popular in the past. Rather than big shelves filled with kitchenware, they are narrower and offer a space for a more curated display.

There are various ways of replacing your kitchen wall cabinets with a shelf, but among the most popular is to continue a stone backsplash into a ledge, like in this deVOL kitchen. It's the perfect place for decor, glassware, and aesthetic kitchenware.

The good thing about these designs is that they still offer a space for kitchen storage while opening up opportunities for more decorative displays. However, if ditching your upper cabinets isn't an option that works for your space, this year's kitchen cabinet trends offer plenty of ideas for a stylish scheme.