Design Ideas for A Kitchen With Open Shelves

Kitchen Remodeling May 14

Open shelves are some of the ideas that a remodeler can try out when remodeling kitchens. Besides providing convenient storage space, open shelves offer a chance to display china. The advantage that shelving has over cabinetry is that it put the things within easy reach, which is important in any kitchen. Open shelves also allow the homeowner to complement the interior décor with decorative tidbits. Pulling off open shelves, however, requires some creativity to avoid ending up with a monotonous and boring kitchen. Some best practices for open shelves in kitchen remodeling include the following.

Testing Out the Look

Not every kitchen’s design will work well with open shelves. This storage option has to factor in a lot of elements like the interior decor, types of appliances, and the space available. Removing the door from one or two cabinets is an excellent way to gauge how the room would look with open shelves. The designer can have some cabinets with doors and others without to see if the approach is functional. Doing this also helps to see if the shelves will add to the ergonomics of the space.

Avoid a White Background

It can be tempting to install shelves against a white background especially when executing a minimalist kitchen remodeling theme. However, white shows dirt and stains more prominently than any other color. When people have to take things out of the shelves every day, such a backsplash can make it hard to keep the storage area clean. A homeowner should opt for dull colors that will get clean with a simple wipe. Bead board can be installed to help add texture to the surfaces.

Make Use of Corners

Typical open shelves run from one length of a wall to the next, but that should not be a restriction. Optimizing corners for open shelving can help make use of all the space during a remodeling exercise. Corner shelves are perfect for items and gadgets that are not in regular use or that are less attractive to display to guests.

Mix Functionality With Aesthetics

As much as storage is about functionality, that is not all it has to be. The overall design should include a few decorative factors in the open shelving system to get the most out of it. Using reclaimed wood, for instance, can help bring a retro theme to life. A homeowner can arrange cookbooks, keepsakes, and even art pieces in some parts of the shelves to liven up the place. For maximum functionality, the items that are in use daily such as plates, drinkware, and coffee mugs should be placed on the bottom shelves.Open shelves have their advantages like easy cleaning, efficient use of space, and reduced cost of storage. However, not every open shelving scheme will suit a kitchen remodeling project. The contractor, designer, and homeowner should find out how to implement open storage effectively.