Open Shelving vs. Upper Cabinets: Which Will Work Better in Your Kitchen?

You will find enthusiastic support from interior designers for both open shelving and upper cabinets. The decision comes down to how you decorate, how you use your kitchen, and how often you use the items you store.

By eliminating the visual weight of upper cabinets in your kitchen, you create an open, creative aesthetic to the space that calls attention to the content on the shelves rather than the beauty of the cabinet.

To help you choose the right solution for your kitchen, we have some tips to help you make an informed decision.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you contemplate the details of your kitchen remodel.

• Do you plan on putting your house up for sale in the near future?
• Do you plan to store dishes or curios on open shelves?
• How often do you plan to take down and use what you store on your shelves?
• How much shelving do you need to store what you want exposed?

The answers to these questions will help you determine the pros and cons of eliminating upper cabinets in your kitchen.

Open Shelves vs. Upper Cabinets

Pros for Open Shelving

Open shelving has become a go-to design solution. Homeowners love:

• The decorative, chic feel
• The affordability
• The practicality
• The ease of installation

If, as part of your kitchen remodel, you plan for a healthy blend of hidden and exposed storage, shelving can be a great addition to your kitchen aesthetic. Not everyone has a stunning set of dishware or design-appropriate display pieces. If you plan to sell soon, consider how much storage space you want to allocate to open shelves. SOME is appealing to buyers. ALL, might not be.

Items on open shelving can gather dust. If you use your displayed items daily, shelves work great.

If you are susceptible to messiness, concealed or door-fronted upper cabinets may work better.

Open shelving works great in compact kitchens, such as in basement remodels. It offers functionality and form while not confining the space.

Shelving makes your kitchen feel open and bright, plus you’ll also have more opportunities to bring your personal taste to your space.

Trendy and Minimal

Minimalism is what’s trending now. Open shelving in the kitchen is the likely choice for homeowners looking to eliminate their homes of excess. Open shelves make you evaluate what is vital in your kitchen and get rid of the rest. Say adios to clutter once and for all. Excess junk doesn’t do justice to your new open shelving.

If you love stylish dishware, a kitchen with open shelving may be a great addition. Open shelves let you display all your favorite dish sets, glasses, mugs, and more where they’re within arm’s reach for easy access.

Moreover, matching dishware to the kitchen interior design style can have an amazing result. For instance, you may decide to buy blue ceramic dishware to complement your blue shaker cabinet with a blue tile backsplash.

Improve Kitchen Functionality

Life is easier when everything is within your reach. You can just grab and go. If you put your most-used items on open shelves, you don’t have to search for them. Having what you need handy enhances kitchen workflow and saves valuable time.

One of the most important benefits of open shelving is its ease of access. Open shelving offers a simple and easy storage alternative that is within comfortable reach.

Pros of Upper Cabinets

Upper cabinets also help to express your design style. From modern to traditional, there are infinite upper cabinets and cabinet door styles to select from. You could further customize your doors with unique knobs, hardware, and handles, and extend your favorite look to the nearby laundry area or mudroom.

Increased Storage Space

More storage space is always a plus. In fact, many people misjudge how much storage they really need. It’s important to note that most people not only put dishes in their upper cabinets but also:

• Cookbooks
• Spices
• Storage containers
• Baking dishes
• Food and pantry items
• Cleaning products
• Electric appliances

Large pots and small appliances take up a remarkable amount of space. To keep your eating space from feeling cluttered, enclosed cabinets are the answer.

Compared to open shelving, upper cabinets have substantially more storage, allowing you to hide and store larger items. You can also customize upper cabinets according to your specifications.

Upper cabinets protect dishware from splatters and dust.

If showcasing your beautiful dishware is your goal, consider glass-front cabinets to store items you want to show off, but don’t use daily.

Beauty Meets Functionality

At Striking Remodels by Bell, our interior designers are pros at cabinetry design. They can guide you through the many decisions involved in kitchen remodels in Denver homes. Our team will listen to your kitchen wish list ideas and share best practices to deliver a striking and efficient new space. For professional advice about kitchen design and remodeling services in the Denver area, connect with our team of expert designers. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.