Though open shelving can look wonderful, it positively has a number of drawbacks that must be thought of as properly. This text will enable you perceive the downsides, and be sure you’re all in – must you select them in your individual kitchen.
Utilizing open shelving fairly than wall cupboards has turn into a extremely fashionable development in kitchen design.
One look that this works very well specifically in is the economic development (a favorite of mine!), with uncovered brickwork, plenty of wooden and metallic – and naturally, plenty of open chunky wooden or black iron shelving.
In actual fact, the open shelf look works particularly properly in a kitchen, as a result of there’s an enormous want for storage together with having issues simply accessible while you’re cooking. For instance – elements, recipe books and instruments.
I have to admit I’ve lengthy been tempted to take my kitchen wall cupboards away and introduce some open shelving in ours.
Nevertheless, I’ve stopped myself greater than as soon as, and that’s as a result of though I actually do like this aesthetic, when pondering it via a bit extra, there are positively some downsides in addition to upsides to this look.
Getting a balanced view of every part is at all times the precise strategy to go earlier than any choices are made – since you would possibly determine to keep away from one thing that might turn into problematic later down the road, or you could determine which you could reside with the potential downsides – regardless of the alternative, you’ll go into it along with your eyes huge open.
And so these downsides are what I wish to share with you right this moment – in case you’re deciding on whether or not they’re good on your kitchen too..
Hope it helps you make the precise resolution for you.
#1 – Open Shelving places your litter on present
One of many essential causes folks go for open shelving is to showcase their kitchenware and add extra persona to their house by letting folks see extra of what there may be in there.
Nevertheless, this additionally implies that any litter or mess will probably be on full show.
Not like closed cupboards, the place you’ll be able to simply cover litter behind closed doorways, open cabinets don’t supply the identical stage of discretion.
This generally is a big downside for individuals who are usually not naturally tidy.
How To Keep away from: Ensure that to usually declutter your open cabinets. Additionally think about using baskets or bins to group comparable objects collectively and hold issues trying tidy whereas a bit of extra hidden.
Associated: 30 Issues To Declutter From Your Kitchen & How To Do It
#2 – Can accumulate Mud And Grease
Open cabinets are WAY extra prone to mud and grease accumulation as they’re not protected by closed doorways.
This generally is a actual headache for individuals who get pleasure from cooking or have a busy kitchen, because it means continually having to wipe down the cabinets to maintain them clear.
To fight this draw back: Ensure that to usually clear your open cabinets with a humid fabric or microfibre fabric to stop mud and grease buildup. An alternative choice can be to make use of wall cupboards which have glass doorways. That manner you get extra of the texture of open cabinets, however every part’s protected behind the glass.
#3 – extra restricted space for storing
Whereas open cabinets might seem to be a good way to maximise space for storing, they really have a way more restricted storage capability than to closed cupboards.
It is because you can not stack objects on prime of one another or simply use the complete peak of the shelf with out obstructing the view.
Attainable Answer: To take advantage of out of your open cabinets, think about using stackable storage options or placing cabinets nearer collectively to supply extra shelving within the house accessible.
#4 – Open Cabinets Are More durable To Keep
Open cabinets require common upkeep to maintain them trying clear and tidy – and likewise to keep up a stage of ornamental curiosity.
In spite of everything – simply as with cabinets in some other room, you’ll must mud, clear, and rearrange with the altering seasons (and your altering style).
To make upkeep simpler, think about using simply detachable shelf liners that may be rapidly changed when wanted. It will assist defend your cabinets from spills and stains and make cleansing extra manageable.
To make altering decor simpler – have only a few objects which you could swap out dependant on the time of 12 months that can replace issues with out an excessive amount of effort. Use a drawer or cabinet to maintain this stuff in in order that they’re useful to seize while you wish to do an replace. All the pieces else must be extra impartial and work no matter season. For instance – all white objects as your backdrop (white crockery, glass canisters and many others…) after which add in color along with your seasonal stuff.
#5 – Restricted Safety
Open shelving positively doesn’t provide the identical stage of security and safety as closed cupboards.
This may be a problem for individuals who have quite a lot of useful or fragile objects on show, as they’re extra uncovered to potential accidents or harm.
To handle this draw back, think about using glass-front cupboards on your extra useful or delicate objects. It will nonetheless present an open and ethereal really feel whereas providing some safety and privateness on your objects.
#6 – More durable To Retailer Sure Objects
Sure kitchen objects, similar to small home equipment or cumbersome kitchenware, is probably not appropriate for open shelving. They’ll take up an excessive amount of house and disrupt the general visible attraction of your cabinets.
To unravel this downside, contemplate incorporating a separate storage space in your kitchen design particularly for these things. This could possibly be a hidden pantry or a delegated cupboard for bigger kitchenware.
So, whereas open shelving might seem to be the right addition to your kitchen, it’s necessary to contemplate these 7 hidden downsides earlier than you make that call.
By being conscious of those potential challenges and implementing a number of the recommended options, you’ll be able to get pleasure from the advantages of open shelving with out the added stress and upkeep.
One tip I’ll go away you with is strictly what I ended up doing in my very own kitchen. I took the doorways off my present cupboards after which used them as in the event that they have been open cabinets.
This gave me the possibility to see how I’d use them, whether or not I missed the storage or not, and to determine whether or not taking the cabinets off utterly and making good the partitions can be worthwhile.
We determined that the look was proper – however have truly saved them as they’re and this works completely for us – so a superb center floor (much less price in re-plastering the partitions, and the doorways are at all times there must be wish to return…)
No matter you select, I hope you will notice that understanding the downsides will enable you to determine extra absolutely on what works greatest for you.
And if you wish to let me know what you want or dislike about open shelving in kitchens, let’s chat! Depart a remark beneath…
