Open Shelves in the Bathroom: Pros and Cons
Open shelving seems to gain more traction as time goes by, especially as people are thinking of remodeling certain parts of their homes. Open shelves are commonly seen in some modern kitchens. People like featuring some of their best items there, so they don’t cause clutter on their counters. But how about open shelves in the bathroom? Would they be a great idea?
If you’re someone who is passionate about bath designs or you wish to remodel your bathroom soon, here you will find some pros and cons regarding open shelves in the bathroom.
Pros of Open Bathroom Shelves
The bathroom is one of the most important parts of the house. Storage is important, but you also want it to look stylish. Would choosing open shelves be the right decision in this case? Here are some pros of open shelving that you should keep in mind.
- Making Use of Smaller Spaces
When you have a small bathroom, adding a massive, closed cabinet would take away from the little you have. It’s not a convenient option. But when you have open shelving, this allows you to add more storage while not taking away from the space. Open shelves will actually open up the space, letting you use every part of it. You also get to use most of the storage space, which is even better.
- They Can Fill Awkward Gaps
Some bathrooms have this awkward, empty spot that just doesn’t look appealing. No matter what, you cannot figure out what to do with it, because adding closed cabinetry would make it look even worse.
Luckily, some open shelves will fill that gap and make your bathroom feel more complete. “Open shelving is great for small or awkward spaces in your bath design,” says Carrie Martin on langskitchens.com. “Closed cabinetry could look too heavy or provide less storage space if you’re slotting it into a narrow or sloped area. Open shelving looks airy and takes anything from books to towels to candles in a color and style to suit you.”
- Great Functionality
What makes open shelves so great is the fact that you can use them for storage or feature some of your best decorations. While a bathroom doesn’t sound like something you want to decorate, you may be the type of person who loves small decorations here and there. There’s no better way to do this than open shelving.
“I really only see open shelving working seamlessly in one of two situations,” says Scot Meacham Wood on housebeautiful.com. “Either you're placing all of the pieces you use daily out in the open for easy access, or you're only using it to display your more decorative finds.”
- Cheaper Option
Open shelves are cheaper compared to closed cabinetry. The installation will cost you less, so you’ll have the benefit of improving the functionality and aspect of your bathroom without breaking the bank.
Cons of Open Bathroom Shelves
While open shelving has its benefits, there are a few cons to bear in mind too.
- Imperfections Will Be Visible Too
If you want the open shelves mainly for storage, then you have to keep in mind that the less appealing stuff will be visible as well. For example, if you keep things like curling irons or blow dryers there, you won’t be able to hide the cords. And the look they’ll give to your space will not be the most pleasant one.
- Humidity May Be an Issue
Storing things such as toilet paper, for instance, would not be the best idea when you have open shelves, and that is because dampness will be an issue. The items you store may be affected by humidity. This is why it’s usually better to combine closed storage with open storage.
- You Have More Things to Clean
Open shelving will give you more things to clean because every little object you place there will gather dust. Moreover, since it’s the bathroom we’re talking about, you may have to wipe water or dust off the shelves more frequently. “With it being in a bathroom, there will be a lot of cleaning and dusting needed in order to keep everything fresh, and looking its best,” says Matson Huff on rodeoconstruction.com.
Final Thoughts
If you’re not sure whether you want open shelves or not, consider these pros and cons. If you don’t mind the drawbacks, then open shelving might be a good option for your bathroom, especially if it’s a small one.