A Tiny Brooklyn Kitchen Got Rid of the Upper Cabinets — And the Storage Is Better

In a home that’s only around 300 square feet, the whole space should feel harmonious. Regardless of whether it’s a studio apartment or a one-bedroom, each area inevitably bleeds into the next — so aesthetics are almost always as important as functionality. Sarah Ingle, who lives in a tiny Brooklyn apartment, understands that better than most.

In Sarah’s apartment, the kitchen is visible from the living room, and when she moved in she referred to the space as the home’s “biggest eyesore.” She knew from the jump that she was going to DIY transform her home, but the kitchen ended up being her proudest project — thanks to practical wraparound shelving and bold paint.

Originally, Sarah’s kitchen wasn’t necessarily designed with storage in mind. “The kitchen, before, didn’t really feel like a kitchen at all. It was more of a chaotic corner with a stove and a sink, surrounded by mismatched shelves and cabinets that didn’t feel intentional or functional,” she said at the time of the House Tour.

One of the most transformative steps was removing the upper cabinets and shelves, and replacing them with gorgeous wraparound shelving that connects along the room’s three walls. It was important to Sarah that the storage solution be both beautiful and practical — especially because guests could see it from the living room. Not only can she store dishware on the shelves, but also artwork and accessories. Plus, the thin shelving helps the kitchen feel lighter and more open, rather than bulky and crowded. 

Paint was a vital component to the kitchen’s overhaul, and the bold color (Sherwin-Williams’ Crabby Apple) made a huge difference. Initially, Sarah thought that she’d cover the open shelving with the red, but decided to keep the natural wood. 

“That choice ended up being really important because it kept the kitchen from feeling too flat and made it feel more layered and collected,” Sarah explained.

Plus, the brown wood complements the other dark, natural colors in the living room, so the two spaces connect. If you want to copy Sarah’s look, check out the Wayfair shelf above. It comes in multiple sizes and a natural and walnut color. 

Overall, wraparound shelving proved to be an aesthetically pleasing way to achieve both of Sarah’s goals: beauty and functionality. Without solid upper cabinetry, the 10 square feet feels much larger and more breathable. To see more of Sarah’s home (like how she unexpectedly situated her bed!), visit the full House Tour.