Open Kitchen Shelves: When to Use Them and How to Make Them Look Good
If you’re a fan of home design, you’ve probably seen kitchens that don’t have any upper cabinets — just simple, open shelves that accompany the lower cabinets. This design decision can be charming, but it also requires some careful planning in order to pull it off. If you’re considering open shelving in your kitchen, here are a few pros and cons to keep in mind, plus a few design tips to help it all come together.
Open Shelves: The Pros
- They open up the space and showcase the natural shape of the room
- They show off aesthetically pleasing cookware and dishes
- They’re more affordable than closed cabinets
- It makes your cookware more accessible
These kitchen shelves add an aesthetically pleasing space to store items.
Open Shelves: The Cons
- Since all the items on open shelves are visible, you have to carefully select what you store on them
- Cookware and dishes stored on open shelves will accumulate dust and grease and require occasional cleaning
- If not curated well, open shelf storage can start to feel cluttered or messy
Design Tip: Use Them As A Transitional Element
Open shelves are an effective transitional design element that can add a visual buffer between pieces. In the image below, the shelves act as a natural transition between the cabinets and the vent hood. They add breathing room while still allowing for storage and decoration.
These simple shelves frame and emphasize this gorgeous vent hood.
Design Tip: Use Them To Open Up The Space
In the lower image, the shelves open up the area to make the kitchen feel more spacious. They’re strategically placed by the window to create more visual access to the outdoors and allow for unobstructed natural lighting. They also create a smooth transition between the kitchen and the adjacent room.
These wood shelves create visual flow and open up the space.
Thinking of open shelving for your kitchen? Selba’s team can walk you through the different design decisions to help you create a kitchen that meets all your needs and looks just how you imagined. Contact the team to learn more.
