We've previously showed you Open Kitchen Shelving From The Kitchn and Neat & Beautiful Open Shelving but we're back for more. It's a huge trend that we honestly can't get enough of. Open shelving in the kitchen is ideal for any size kitchen and in any layout.
Many small space dwellers rely on open shelving because their spaces didn't come equipped with enough cabinet space to house all of their kitchen essentials. Others have opted out of traditional cabinetry and installed their open shelving to create a larger looking space. Let's face it, no matter the color — cabinets can be downright bulky. This option isn't for everyone, but we really love it.
• Revisiting Beth's Teeny Tiny Peek-a-boo View
• Terri and Evan's Blue Velvet Home
• Kevin's Creative Commorancy
• Mel & Dave's Industrial Chic Loft
• Katin & Brandon's Casual Kitchen by the Sea
Image credit as linked above
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I'll never understand the love of open shelving, unless it is in small amounts and for stuff you use ALL the time.
Stuff on open shelves collects dusts and tiny aerosolized greasy stuff from the stove. It creates work! ARGH!
HazelStone: you may not be able to see it very well, but in the second photo (which is my kitchen), the roof slants down. We weren't able to use full height upper cabinetry on the stove-side wall, so we opted for open shelving. Basically, it was open shelving or NO shelving, and we're happy we went this route. Our kitchen isn't super large, and with the slanting roof, the shelves really opened up our room.
There are reasons to love open shelving, even if you hate the (small, to me) amount of extra work it causes.
I am actually repainting my kitchen this weekend and will be taking off the doors to one of the cabinets for a more open look. We have some pretty white dishes that we use all the time and I thought it would be a nice change to see orderly stacks of clean dishes in the kitchen. We use them often so I dont think that dust will be an issue. We may have to put the doors back on if our cats start sleeping with the plates for some reason...
Check out the progress at www.lglf.blogspot.com
I adore open shelving, and use it in my kitchen. BUT never again...the dust is unbelievable! HazelStone said it--dust and grease. I'm constantly wiping both the shelves and less-frequently used pieces. Glassware? Nightmare.
Me too. Not only does open shelving cause grime, it also means you have to keep all your dishes and things perfectly stacked, lined-up, and neat, so it won't look like a mess. And even so, all that *stuff* looks cluttery to me.
I understand having open shelving if you have a ceiling situation like the second photo, but while I think it *can* look nice if there are only a few items on it (especially clear glass), I'm not a huge fan for the reasons already mentioned here. For a clumsy allergy sufferer like myself, I think they would be a disaster.
I'm with Crayfish on this. I like the idea of open shelves, but that first example doesn't feel open at all. It looks cramped and messy. I smell mouse turds.
I'm not a huge fan, sometimes it looks good...in a super cutesy "look at my collection of teapots way" but for the most part, pictures like #1 just look cluttered and messy to me.
I find open shelving is all about balance. The first photo has way too much going on. I love the second photo. The use of a saturated colour in the cabinet above the stove is divine. I personally like to hide stuff because I cram as much as I can into my cabinets.
We added open shelving when we renovated our kitchen and it has been a huge success! Dust isn't a huge problem because we only keep our heavily used dishes on them - and they are always in rotation. I just need to give the shelves a quick wipe once in a while. Now I can't imagine having to open a cupboard door to get at a dish!
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9663295@N02/4602963750/
I agree, if you have a ton of open shelves, it's going to look messy and get really gross. But a small amount of open shelving is great -- it can be very practical and look beautiful. I love my single open shelf!
I have open shelving all over my kitchen and I love it! It gives me a chance to display my prettiest dishes and appliances (the ugly stuff stays behind cupboards). Its an organized "clutter" that allows my counters to stay free, so the look over all is actually UNcluttered and nice and open
I used to live in the most beautiful loft downtown with gorgeous original mid century open shelving in the kitchen.
NEVER AGAIN!
Everyone who's already said it is right. Grease/Dust that was a constant battle.
It may look great, but it is NOT practical.
If there's room for shelves, there's room for cabinetry.
It was only a few weeks ago that I realized one of the upsides to interminably rainy days (I live in LA, where it never rains): NO DUST!
Apart from the areas of the kitchen that are affected by grease splatters, I reckon that in climates where the air is dense w/ moisture, dust accumulation's not much of an issue (relatively speaking...).