Open Storage Kitchen Design – The Pros and Cons of Shelves
Open shelving has become very popular these days. Not only is it functional, but it can also improve the aesthetics of your kitchen. If you are not certain whether to use open storage or not, you may find some pros and cons below.
PRO: Usable in Many Kitchen Styles
Open shelves are very easy to work with. Since they do not take up as much space as cabinets, shelves do not leave such a big visual impact. Some options can add a dramatic effect to the place if chosen in the right color. But since they do not have a widespread pattern as cabinets do, they are easier to incorporate into a kitchen design.
“Open shelving can work with any style of kitchen, providing the shelves and brackets reflect the style you’re going for. For example, you wouldn’t want fussy, detailed brackets for a modern kitchen. Overall, I’d say open shelving is a fun way to bring some drama to the kitchen with scale, color and texture; they’re not a design element you’re going to find in every kitchen,” says Kathryn O’Donovan, an interior designer from Normandy.
CON: You Always Need to Keep the Shelf Organized
With cabinets, you can throw your kitchen items behind closed doors. Even if there is a mess inside, it will not show outside, making your kitchen look clean. With open shelves, everything is out in the open. As a result, you frequently need to keep your items organized.
PRO: You Can Get Creative
With open storage, you may easily get creative when showing off your items. For instance, if you have a collection of uranium glass dishes you are fond of, you can showcase them on a shelf. You can play with color combos or mix designs until everything looks perfect.
“There are always challenges with open storage (dust, clutter, etc.). But if you edit down what you're putting on your shelves—by collecting like items or sticking to a color palette, for example—it's just a fun way to get creative, which I'm always down for,” says interior stylist Emily Henderson.
CON: They Require Frequent Maintenance
Closed cabinets are easy to deal with. Thanks to the doors, dust cannot easily get through. This means you will have little maintenance to do, which will be necessary every few weeks or months.
Shelves are completely open. This puts them at the mercy of dust, which will dull the attractiveness of the shelves. They will require frequent cleaning, depending on how much dust your house gets. Each time you clean the other pieces of furniture in your home, the shelves need to be tended to as well.
PRO: Everything Is in Easy View
When you have cabinets, everything is behind closed doors. This means that you may not know precisely where to look for specific items. With open shelving, you can see everything right away, saving you the time of looking for the items.
CON: They Can Be Hazardous
Open storage can be good if you live alone or with a partner, as you will know exactly where the items are. You also know what their purpose is and how to handle them.
This may not be the case if you have children or pets. The shelves may become dangerous for others as they are out in the open. Your children can play with the items on them and injure themselves. Similarly, if you have cats, they can jump on the shelf and knock things over. This may lead to a hazard.
PRO: The Kitchen Will Seem Bigger
Cabinets make a kitchen seem smaller, as they cover the walls and close the space in. By switching to open storage, you remove the doors and gain visibility of the wall. This will make the kitchen feel airy and larger by putting everything into view.
Open shelving is a good option when you have a smaller kitchen. It maximizes the space, and its non-bulkiness is visually appealing.
CON: Cannot Fit Too Many Items
With open shelves, you may not fit too many items without them looking cluttered. Homeowners need to adopt a minimalist approach. If you are the kind of person who uses many kitchen items, open shelving can make your storage area look disorganized.