The kitchen is the center of the home which means it should be given good consideration when planning its layout. This is especially true when it comes to cabinet design. Closed, glass front, and open shelving, these are the options available for kitchen cabinets. Open shelving has become a popular choice with homeowners and designers alike due to the elegance and style it brings to the kitchen. Let’s talk about the benefits it can bring your home and some helpful design tips.

What is open shelving?

Standard kitchens have cabinets with doors but open shelving eliminates cabinets completely. It can be used in lieu of upper cabinets entirely or pair perfectly with standard cabinets. Open shelving is an option that blends with multiple styles and sizes.

What are the benefits of open shelving?

Not only are they a beautiful option in the kitchen but open shelving comes with several benefits that make them a viable choice when planning your renovation. Some of them include:

• Increased Storage
• Fits awkward layouts
• Small looks bigger
• Easy maintenance
• Budget friendly

Opening shelving increases storage because while cabinets can store items they can also tend to be messy and disorganized. Include glass jars and even baskets that will look good on the shelf, keep everything in its place, and give you the needed storage. Sometimes a kitchen layout can be awkward making it difficult to maximize space but shelving can help accomplish this goal. They can go in places cabinets are not able to such as above sinks and narrow areas. Open shelving brings an added benefit to smaller spaces because they give the illusion of being bigger. Closed cabinets can make an area feel cramped but shelves allow more of the kitchen to be seen helping to enlarge the area.

If you need to clean out the cabinets you know it means taking everything out and wiping the in and outside of it but shelves are super easy. Just a simple swipe takes care of it all. Opening shelving is considered budget friendly since it uses less material helping you to get the kitchen you need on the budget you set. Learn a few more of the reasons this option brings to you here. The benefits of open shelving are many and can be a great choice for your new kitchen design.

Design tips for open shelving

Open shelving is a unique design style and one that requires different planning than standard cabinets. Careful thought should be applied when creating the layout and use of the shelves. Here are a few things to consider when starting your renovation.

• Varying lengths: by choosing to have shelves of different lengths, you can create visual interest in your kitchen. This also allows the shelves to go into small or tighter areas of the kitchen plus fit a variety of items.
• Contrast: two-toned is a popular design element in kitchens and can be carried into open shelving by having them painted or stained a darker or lighter color then the rest of the kitchen. 
• Artwork: open shelving is not just functional, it also can be a great way to add some art to your kitchen. Consider using a live edge for the shelf or a bold color.
• Depth: by making them thicker it can make them stand out more
• Pairing: open shelving works well as a compliment to standard cabinets or can stand alone in place of upper cabinets all together. 
• Backsplash: since they are placed against the wall it is important to give thought to what will be there such as a nice wall color or backsplash that goes from counter to ceiling. The results are always stunning.

Open shelving can add a fresh look to your kitchen and help it stand apart from other designs. Our designers are experienced and able to help you create a layout and design that reflects your style and suits your unique needs. Grab a few more design tips here.

When to not have open shelving

While it is a popular design trend for many homeowners, there are times when open shelving may not be the best option for your kitchen. Here are a few reasons:

• Everyone can see: open shelving makes an area feel more airy; it also means that all your items are seen. If you have a lot of dishes that don’t match or you would prefer for your friends to see every dish you own you might want to at least limit the open shelves you have, you can always include some floating shelves instead.
• Keeping it clean: when it comes to open shelving, you can’t just stuff it and forget it. This choice requires you to keep things a bit more tidy, while boxes and canisters can help, if you don’t want to always have to make sure it looks presentable, you might want to opt out of this choice.
• Clutter: open shelving makes things accessible but it also means that there will be tendency to place more than is necessary on a shelf making it look cluttered. 

The decision is up to you, we encourage you to look at inspiration boards, consider your needs in the kitchen, and what will work best for your space.

Are you ready for open shelving?

If you have been thinking about doing a renovation in your kitchen but were hesitant to use standard cabinets because they just were not for you then open shelving may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Our experienced team is ready to help you create a space that is perfect for you and will look great for years to come. Serving more than 16 counties and hundreds of clients, contact us today to get started. Let’s create something beautiful together.