Design Notes
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 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 to 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 it 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 cannot, such as above sinks and narrow areas. Open shelving brings an added benefit to smaller spaces because it gives the illusion of being bigger. Closed cabinets can make an area feel cramped, but shelves allow more of the kitchen to be seen, making the area feel larger.
If you need to clean out the cabinets, you know it means taking everything out and wiping the inside and outside of them, 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 designing the layout and shelving. 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 fit into small or tighter areas of the kitchen and accommodate a variety of items.
- Contrast: Two-toned is a popular design element in kitchens. It can be carried into open shelving by having it painted or stained a contrasting color to the rest of the kitchen.
- Artwork: Open shelving is not only functional but also a great way to add art to your kitchen. Consider using a live edge for the shelf or a bold color.
- Depth: By making them thicker, they can stand out more
- Pairing: Open shelving works well as a complement to standard cabinets or can stand alone in place of upper cabinets altogether.
- Backsplash: Since backsplashes are placed against the wall, it is important to consider 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 and allows all your items to be seen. If you have a lot of mismatched dishes 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 tidier. 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 is a tendency to place more than is necessary on a shelf, which can make the space 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.
Walker WoodworkingYou are considering doing a kitchen renovation, but are a little nervous because of what your friend told you when they renovated their kitchen. The project was completed, and they settled into their new space and enjoyed many of the latest amenities. Then something happened. As they adjusted to the area, they thought about something that could have been done differently or that they wished they had added.
This design trend seems to always be among the most popular, and you don’t have to live on a farm to appreciate this simple, inviting style. In a world that seems never to stop moving, there is often a need to create a space where you can slow down, unwind from the cares of the day, and enjoy the simple things. In this blog, we want to explain precisely what the farmhouse style is and how you can incorporate a little of the past into your future.
Greenbrook DesignWe are excited to share this recently historic home remodel, built in 1824. This project presented us with some unique design challenges that we were able to overcome, resulting in a beautiful finished product and a very well-functioning kitchen.
Also known as Antebellum architecture, this property not only gives us an intimate look at how people once lived in this southern region but also shows the characteristics and style of a stunning southern design, which remains rich in history.
Greenbrook Design
Walker WoodworkingDesign trends are shifting, and people are looking to maximize space by combining rooms, so the laundry room has been built to meet this demand. A mudroom combined with a laundry room can be a great area. As the family enters the home, they can drop off any dirty clothing, eliminating any major messes. This is also a logical spot to have the dog feeding area or even the litter box, both of which prevent your guests from seeing the dirty side of your pets. A small pet bathing area can be added, making it convenient to wash the dog and then dry it with the towel in the washer. There are a few other combinations, including a pantry or bathroom. Be sure to consider what matters most to you and your family’s needs.
Walker Woodworking 