Is Open Shelving Right for Your Kitchen Remodel?

Posted by Daniel Mizrahi on Friday, September 16, 2016

Photo by Burns and Beyerl Architects

We’ve all seen pictures of those beautiful, trendy kitchens that forgo upper cabinetry for open shelving. And there’s a good chance you’ve wondered about taking the plunge in your own kitchen. Homeowners seem to be pretty divided on this kitchen trend. Below we’ll detail some of the common complaints and ways to experiment with open shelving in your home.

The 3 Big Concerns with Open Shelving

1. Dust - One of the most common responses you hear from people when they see a kitchen with open shelving is, “Don’t you have to wash everything whenever you use it?” Many of the homeowners who actually use shelves in place of cabinets to store their plates, bowls, and cups say that frequently used items rarely sit on the shelf long enough to collect dust. Lesser used items of course might stay long enough to need a rinse before use, but most of those homeowners weren’t bothered by that and claim to use those items more often since they’re out in plain sight.
2. Keeping Shelves Attractive - A lot of kitchens you see with open shelving boast perfect rows of matching dishes or an artful display of colorful or otherwise unique servingware. It the insides of your cabinets hold mostly mismatched plastic cups and chipped plates, you might be disappointed in the way open shelves look in your kitchen. Of course, if you enjoy collecting beautiful dishes or the insides of your cabinets already look pristine, you might love seeing your possessions on display every day.
3. Resale Value - Because replacing upper kitchen cabinets with open shelving is not for everyone, there is a chance that this design decision may affect a potential buyer’s decision regarding your home. For most people it probably wouldn’t prevent them from purchasing a house that they otherwise love, but be aware that your preference in this area may not be universally loved.

Ways to Try the Open Shelving Look in Your Kitchen

If you’re really curious to see how open shelving would work for you a great way to test this change out without gutting your kitchen is to remove the doors from your upper cabinets. It won’t give you an exact feel for the look and experience of true open shelving, but it will at least allow you to see how you like having your belongings visible all of the time.

 

A good middle of the road option is to do a combination of open shelving and upper cabinets. This gives you the best of both worlds with easy access to the items you use most, a little room for display, but the option to hide some pieces away.

 

Or you could take the plunge and enjoy the full experience of life without upper kitchen cabinets. Whether your taste runs towards orderly and minimal or overflowing, artful displays of your dish collection, there is nothing more satisfying than shaping your kitchen into the space of your dreams.

If you live in the Los Angeles, CA area and are considering open shelving in your kitchen remodel, our team of experienced professionals would love to turn your vision into reality. Call us today to schedule your free estimate!