Whether you’re building your very first home or planning a kitchen remodel, one of the most important considerations is storage. Each style has its distinct advantage, with open shelving being light and airy and closed cabinets being low-maintenance. What truly matters at the end is what fits your aesthetic preferences, budget, and lifestyle. This blog gives you a few ideas of what to keep in mind when deciding between the two options.
Open Shelving VS Closed Cabinetry—What’s Right For You?
Alright, let’s say you’ve been scouring the internet, asking friends, and talking to relatives to help you decide on your kitchen storage situation. With each new person you talk to, you grow more and more torn. The truth is, what suits your single friend living in a studio apartment in New York might not be what your great aunt considers ideal storage space with her farmhouse kitchen. The solution? Make a checklist of your own and carefully consider a few things before coming to your conclusion.
Here’s a look at a few things to keep in mind.
Visual Appeal
Okay, what is the look you’re going for? If you’re someone who prefers a simple, neat, and clean look with every mismatched mug and bulky appliance hidden away, then closed cabinetry is the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you prefer the vibrancy that comes with seeing colorful jars, ornamental pottery, or cute cookbooks on display, you should go for open cabinetry instead.
The Size Of Your Kitchen
Let’s go back to the example from above, real quick. If you have a small kitchen like that friend in New York, then you’re obviously not going to want to make your space seem more cramped than it already is. Open shelving offers the distinct advantage of keeping things light and airy in any given kitchen.
Conversely, if you have a large kitchen, you could easily opt for cabinets. You could go for ceiling-high cabinetry or tall pantry-style cabinets that store all your ingredients, cutlery, and cleaning supplies—without making the space feel claustrophobic.
Personalization Options
When it comes to style and customization, shelving isn’t the most versatile. You could, of course, change up the look with the visual story you create with your jars, plants, and plates, but your kitchen will largely remain pretty standard no matter what you try.
On the other hand, closed cabinetry comes in various styles, materials, and colors. You could go for shaker cabinets, slab, or glass-fronted. Or you could even commission custom cabinets that suit your unique theme and tastes for your kitchen. The possibilities for these closed cabinets are truly endless.
Maintenance & Cleaning
All of that being said, it’s you who needs to keep up with the cleaning. Open shelving requires constant rearranging and organization to keep up its visual appeal. Plus, there’s a lot of dust, grease, and debris that’s going to build up if you don’t regularly clean. If you don’t mind the extra work, open shelving is great.
But closed cabinets don’t require much fuss. Even if you throw in your dishes, rice packets, and vinegar bottle in the same cabinet, no one is going to judge. Similarly, when it comes to cleaning, it’s only the doors and hinges that require dusting and wiping. If you’re someone who doesn’t like fussing over things or isn’t naturally tidy, closed cabinetry all the way.
DIY vs Professional Installation
Putting up shelves is something that can easily be managed on your own. Just grab a hammer, nails, and a drill, put up your shelving wherever you want, and you’re done!
On the flip side, setting up cabinets requires more skill. If you aren’t comfortable handling this task or if you’ve got custom cabinets coming in, then definitely hire a professional contractor to put them up instead.
Cost Considerations
Yet another important factor influencing your decision. Installing open shelving—especially if you’re DIY-ing it- is quite pocket-friendly and may drive you toward this option at the end.
On the other hand, cabinets are a bit more costly due to more material used, the various designs, and even the expertise needed for a successful installation. If you don’t mind spending a little extra, you’re good to go on the closed cabinetry route.
Conclusion
To conclude, both open shelving and closed cabinetry have their pros and cons. If you’re someone who prefers sleek, tidy, and low-maintenance kitchens, go for closed cabinets. But if you love decorating, a lively space, and don’t mind the extra maintenance involved, you’re good with open shelving. At the end of the day, it all depends on what suits you best and what makes you happy.
FAQs
What are the rules for kitchen shelves?
Place frequently-used items on the lower shelves for easier access and put decorative items on the top shelves.
Can I combine open shelving with closed cabinetry?
Yes, strategically place both styles of cabinetry throughout your kitchen, creating visual interest and a clutter-free space.
How long does it take to install custom cabinets?
Typically, the order, construction, delivery, and installation process can take 6-8 weeks.