POLL: Shelves or Cabinets?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

In preparation for our Live Chat on clutter - https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/houzz-live-chat-how-to-de-clutter-friday-the-14th-at-2pm-dsvw-vd~1265881 - I thought I'd ask you all what your storage preference is. Shelves are a great way to display your favourite home and kitchen wares, as well as hang things off them, but cabinets often fit more in and keep things tidier.

If you had to choose, which would you go for - shelves or cabinets? Leave a comment explaining why!

Shelves

Cabinets

Featured Answer

peediewee

9 years ago

if i had to choose one or the other it would be cabinets. they do fit more in & your under no pressure to make a 'display' of the contents. saying that when we come to redesign our kitchen (which is a while away as we've spent all our money on the living room) i think i would like a couple of open shelves. the kitchen should be practical but there's no reason why it can't also be an aesthetically pleasing place to spend time. our last kitchen (which we didn't put in) was purely functional. now i'm we have a kitchen diner and i plan to spend more time in the kitchen i want to make it pretty too!!!

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Comments (25)

PRO
Mac interiors
9 years ago
If its purely for storage I would nearly always go for cabinets, Items on shelves are really a display therefore for the shelves to look good you have to keep it looking orderly, up to date, clean and not allow any day to day paraphernalia to be dumped on them otherwise they look a mess. However it does depend what you want to display and the style and layout of your kitchen.
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@Norwood Architects took the words right out of my mouth. I too would not do the open shelves on the base cabinets with the clipped corner. Looks like you are going for a more modern kitchen and those don't fit the updated style I see here. As far as the double ovens, I would move them to the left one spot so they sit next to the first set of cabinets. I would also remove the last upper cabinet (on the right) and extend the open shelving. The shelves look dwarfed as they are now by the large wall of cabinets. Hopefully, removing a bank of upper cabinet and extending the shelves will help balance the proportions. I would also eliminate the shelves on the island too, but that's just more of a personal preference ;) Looks like it's going to be a gorgeous kitchen!
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I agree with 'Kitchens and Baths', you are leaving yourself precious little counterspace to accommodate 2 side-by-side wall ovens? Can't you stack them if you need 2? Also, a warning, I wouldn't be taking anything out of those ovens and "turning to the island" with them...not with a quartz countertop!! You'll have that whole end all scorched...unless you are quick and accurate with lots of trivets! But your "open shelving" is going to look like a pinched-in forgotten corner pantry...you really need more space for them too , if it is going to look right. Right now as it is, 2 feet of them are all but beyond reach (over the lower countertop) and then a mere 2 feet worth of actually OPEN, available space you can reach, then the monster of the floor to ceiling cabinet will be in the way. It will be like reaching around into a closet. I would seriously reconsider this design BEFORE your electrician shows up--and before you order all those (expensive!) cabinets. But as for the island 'crowding' the walkway--it looks as if your drawing says 1.2 meters? That's plenty and more than enough, even for running boisterous kiddos, you're fine there. Best of Luck.
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Aby Molenaar
9 years ago
I agree that cupboards hide stuff, however they can be overpowering in some spaces where a shelf would be more in keeping. I guess it depends on the room and the space.
soozmacrae
9 years ago
Shelves have to be kept tidy and organised. Cabinets are just asking for things to get shoved in never to be seen again!
breda44
9 years ago
Albeit I like the simplicity of uncluttered shelves in a kitchen but both shelves and cabinets need to be practical and aesthetically pleasing within their individual settings. Choice is the answer.
whiteleghorn
9 years ago
I love being able to grab an item off the shelf without having to look for it in a cupboard, but things undeniably get dusty and a bit greasy left on a kitchen shelf.
Tom Flanagan
Original Author
9 years ago
It sounds like both shelves and cabinets require a bit of organising and cleaning - are there any good ways to organise your shelves/cabinets and keep them clean? I'd love to hear any tips!
Siobhan Ousby
9 years ago
Cabinets - I choose this option mainly because I wouldn't need to dust as much. I prefer to have a storage space that can be designed to organise my items rather then display them. If needed I still could have a glass door to display but I like the privacy of cabinets.
User
9 years ago
I'm sadly too messy to have all open shelves, I would like a few though!
anuita
9 years ago
Shelves are very efficient as you can see everything, it is less easy to lose things at the back of a cupboard and putting away stuff is just that much quicker when you don't have to negotiate cabinet doors especially when there are tall people hanging around. Cabinets, even the glass fronted ones also tend to make a room look top heavy particularly in a small kitchen. The downside of shelves is it puts a lot of pressure on you to be neat, have matching crockery and if things on open shelves have not been used a while they can gather dust or grease from cooking.
Rashmi Singh
9 years ago
Apart from storage vs. display I personally think open shelves are too hard to keep clean! Be it dust or accumulated grease from serious cooking. In my opinion if you are a serious cook and do more than boil pasta you need cabinets - and no open plan kitchens either!!
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
Unless you have the time to keep it clean and tidy or are a naturally tidy person then cabinets are the only option! If you really like them, then use them to store plates and bowls as these tend to look tidier....
Tom Flanagan
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I voted shelves initially because I like the look of an open kitchen (and I love that specific picture above!). But hearing what you guys have to say, cabinets seem like the more sensible option, and I do like to cook quite alot....
Average Jo
9 years ago
Both!
PRO
MW_Cabinets
8 years ago
shelves really help to open up a small space
PRO
Gardens of London
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Great for easy access and visibility!
PRO
Ayres Haynes Architects Ltd
8 years ago
Great for display
Fergal
7 years ago
As a cabinet maker myself I prefer glass door cabinets opposed to open shelves: they are stronger and there is less dusting involved
PRO
Northbrook Designs
7 years ago
I have to admit I love the look of a chunky open shelf but for practical living the cabinet win's hands down . How long is that super organised open shelf going to stay that way ?? Not to mention dusting / cleaning
PRO
Oak Tree Cabinet Makers
7 years ago
we find clients prefer cabinets.
PRO
Shelving Company
7 years ago
we find shelves open the space up, allow easy access etc
Heidi Cullen
7 years ago
I am disabled and cannot afford the purpose built cupboards that drop down etc. My carpenter has made me thick wooden shelves and a similar worktop all within easy reach. He is taking all my cupboards out in a couple of months and replacing them with shelves. I can't wait x
PRO
Sustainable Kitchens
7 years ago
I absolutely love the look of shelves in a kitchen - they help to create a really light and simple feel to the space, and create a stage for all your favourite things.

However, they do provide less storage. So if you dont have the luxury of plenty of storage, I would suggest going for wall cabinets instead, or having a mixture of the two.

There is something to be said for keeping the walls open too - it can be tempting to fill every possible space, but don't be afraid of leaving space for your cabinets to breath. This might mean having a clear out, but it will make your room feel much more open.

Charlie
Heidi Cullen
7 years ago
Hi Charlie,

I live alone so don't need much storage. I've been living with my open shelves now for nearly 3 months and I have to say they save me time and everyone loves them. I have left little pathways up to some very high shelves and my cats love climbing them and watching me cook. The kitchen is much lighter, easier to use and I love it. Really glad I got rid of my wall units.
PRO
Sheridan Reis
7 years ago
I think it depends on the style of your kitchen and what kind of look you would want to achieve but for me, I would choose cabinets as it gives you more versatility when you want to change up the design or colour scheme. It also keeps everything looking neat and tidy - even if the cupboards are jam packed:)

POLL: Shelves or Cabinets?

peediewee

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