Your kitchen is the heart of your home. A well-designed kitchen is the perfect place to prepare delicious meals, gather friends and family, and entertain.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen or designing a new one, you likely have many decisions to make. You want to create a stylish and beautiful room with storage that makes the most of the space available. If you’re deciding between shelves and cabinets in your kitchen, here is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Learn what you need to know about the pros and cons of open shelves vs. kitchen cabinets.
Cabinets
Cabinetry has long been the go-to choice for kitchen storage. You can place cabinets above and below your countertops as well as under a kitchen island. There are even narrow cabinets that fit in corners and other tight areas to put your kitchen’s space to use. Cabinets also create a focal point in your kitchen, helping to anchor the room. Cabinets are best if you want maximum space and clean, sleek storage.
Open Shelves
Floating kitchen shelves became a popular design trend thanks partly to home renovation shows. Homeowners and designers opt for open shelves to display pretty dishes and other items in a trendy, minimalist way. But has the hype fizzled out? How practical are floating shelves in a kitchen? While some still choose shelving instead of kitchen cabinets for a modern, minimal look, many avoid it because it is less practical.
Pros of Cabinets
There are many advantages to using kitchen cabinets vs. shelves. Here are the top four reasons to outfit your kitchen with cabinets.
Many Styles to Choose From
Kitchen cabinets can help bring your design style to life. There are many cabinet styles to choose from, whether your taste is traditional, modern or somewhere in between. You can further customize your cabinet doors with your choice of knobs, handles and hardware.
More Storage Space
Who doesn’t love extra storage space? It’s easy to underestimate how much closed storage you need. In addition to dishes, your kitchen needs to store cooking utensils, linens, cookbooks, cleaning products and, of course, food.
Countertop appliances and large items like pots can take up a lot of space. You can store these in cabinets for a clean, clutter-free kitchen. You can also add sliding shelves or dividers to get the most out of your cabinet space.
Easy to Clean
Kitchen cabinets protect the items inside from dust and grease. If you’re looking for kitchen storage that keeps your supplies clean, cabinetry is a good option.
Hides Excessive Clutter
Not every kitchen item is display-worthy. Plastic cups and extra silverware are certainly functional, but they don’t need to be seen. Cabinets allow you to store things out of sight, hiding any clutter.
Cons of Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets have few drawbacks, but consider the following to help you make your choice.
More Money Upfront
Cabinetry is more expensive than open shelves because it requires more materials and installation time. Even so, cabinets are a worthwhile investment, since plenty of storage is attractive to future buyers.
May Show Wear and Tear Over Time
As with most things, kitchen cabinets will show signs of use over time. We’ve all seen crooked or drooping cabinet doors, misaligned drawers and broken hardware. You can reduce the risk of these issues by choosing high-quality cabinets. Proper cabinet materials and construction make a significant difference.
Pros of Open Shelves
You might choose shelves instead of cabinets if you want an inexpensive, minimalist storage option that’s easy to personalize. Other pros of open shelving in kitchens include the following.
Trendy and Stylish
Minimalism has become a popular home design aesthetic. Floating shelves can help make your kitchen feel more spacious, especially if you only display a few items. Open shelves can be an attractive feature in your kitchen, depending on the material you use.
Improved Functionality in Your Kitchen
Open shelving lets you keep everything you use in view and at your fingertips, without opening cupboards and searching for items. Open shelves can streamline your kitchen routine and save time.
Showcases Other Design Elements
Do you have brick, a paint color or wallpaper that you want to show off? These elements add flair to a room and can be fully appreciated with open shelving.
Open shelves also provide an opportunity to decorate. You can display seasonal decorations like flowers, pumpkins and holiday greenery throughout the year. Just remember that doing so further limits the space for your dishes.
Less Money Upfront
If you’re designing a kitchen on a budget, floating shelves are a good choice. You can get creative with them while staying cost-conscious.