Using shelves in the kitchen instead of cabinets

Advantages and disadvantages

Shelves in the kitchen are installed to solve practical (storage) and aesthetic (decorative) problems.

Advantages of using shelves in the interior:

• are cheaper than closed headset designs;
• suitable for different directions in the design of premises;
• visually expand the space, give it “airiness”;
• mobile shelves - can be moved or removed if necessary;
• suitable for storing food and kitchen utensils;
• provide quick access to objects placed on them;
• serve as a showcase for jewelry and fine dishes.

Wall-mounted shelves also have disadvantages:

• require frequent cleaning - not hidden from dust, soot, sunlight;
• less spacious than drawers and cabinets;
• Objects placed on the surface must be handled carefully, otherwise they may fall.

It is worth remembering that these disadvantages and advantages are subjective. What is unacceptable for one consumer may be the best option for another. You need to weigh the pros and cons and determine the location for installing kitchen shelves at the stage of planning the set.

Expert opinion

Olga Kovalenko

Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.

If furniture is already installed in the room, additional shelves should be combined with the overall design.

Advantages and disadvantages of open shelves in the kitchen

On the open shelves there are dishes, cookbooks, notebooks with recipes, table textiles, souvenir compositions, jars of cereals and seasonings. They, like any piece of furniture, have certain pros and cons.

Positive properties:

• lightweight room design;
• if necessary - easy, quick dismantling;
• due to the absence of doors, no additional space is required to open them;
• convenient placement for items of constant use;
• when finished in the same color as the walls, they are almost invisible;
• very aesthetic appearance;
• lower cost than closed cabinets.

Negative qualities:

• capable of accumulating dust, especially if the windows overlook a busy highway;
• not everyone is able to arrange the dishes beautifully every time, which leads to chaos;
• when there is no hood, grease that is difficult to wash off is mixed with the dust;
• small capacity, insufficient for large items;
• it is problematic to integrate into a ready-made headset.

To make cleaning less labor-intensive, it is recommended to purchase a powerful hood that efficiently removes airborne grease and steam from the room, and also not to over-clutter surfaces.

Shelf color and design

The design of the shelves must be combined with other items - furniture, apron, countertop. More often, the color of the product is discreet, consistent with the material of manufacture - the surface can convey the pattern of wood, stone, or be chrome-plated or gold-plated.

However, in modern interiors there are shelves made of plastic or wood painted in bright colors. Also, sometimes shelves are equipped with lighting for an aesthetic effect or illumination of the work area located below. Then spotlights are mounted on their surface or an LED strip is glued.

There are several modifications:

• shelves-grids for dishes;

• with built-in drawers for small items;

• floor and wall racks;

• with partitions and sides;

• with one horizontal surface.

There are also product design features:

• Country, Provence, rustic. Shelves for such styles should be solid, wooden, natural or aged colors. You can use floral print curtains as decoration. Such products are usually decorated with themed accessories - plates, objects made from natural materials, wooden figurines.

• Modern, high-tech. Laconic shelves made of wood, glass, plastic or stainless steel without carved sides or other decorations are appropriate here. Photo frames or monochrome paintings in small quantities, modern jars with spices are placed on them.

• Classic, modern. Shelves made of stone, metal, and glass are relevant for these styles. Wood will also work, the main thing is that the shelves look elegant and presentable. Forged sides, carvings, pilasters are appropriate. You can place vases, books, and beautiful dishes on such shelves.

Design solutions for open shelves

Designers are confident that open shelves in the kitchen are not only stylish, but also convenient. In addition, the cost of such furniture is much lower than that of a kitchen set.

Open shelves will be appropriate in any interior.

Goes perfectly with Provence, country, and classic styles.

In a kitchen designed in a refined rustic style, the shelves look quite appropriate.

Unlike closed shelves, they do not “eat up” the volume of the kitchen.

The Provence style initially featured open shelves with plates and flowers in small pots displayed on them.

They serve as an addition to the interior, because they can accommodate a large number of interesting things.

To complement such an interior, stylish shelves made of natural wood are most often used.

For a modern-style kitchen with open shelves and cabinets, glass shelving would be appropriate. Transparent material goes well with any color.

If we talk about the decorative features of open shelves, it is worth placing things on them that fit as well as possible into the given style.

Materials

Most often used for making shelves:

• Wood is the most common material, environmentally friendly and warm. But it is not recommended to install shelves made from it above a stove or sink - moisture and evaporation can cause deformation and deterioration in appearance. This material must be treated with compounds that protect against insects and rot.

• LDSP, MDF. They usually imitate wood, but are cheaper. Not the most practical materials; over time, the laminated coating wears off, swells, and peels off.

• Metal. Aluminum is common, as well as antique forged iron structures. Modern models are usually made of chrome-plated alloys. These shelves are durable and strong and easy to clean. They look good in interiors with stainless steel appliances.

• Plastic. Inexpensive but practical material, resistant to moisture, household products, lightweight and hygienic. Disadvantages include: short service life, scratches, and inability to use under heavy objects.

• Glass. Creates a feeling of weightlessness, looks elegant and graceful, is not afraid of water and is easy to clean. The best option for a room in a minimalist, loft style. For the kitchen, you should give preference to durable tempered glass with a thickness of at least 6 mm. It can be transparent or matte, darkened, with a pattern.

• Stone. Heavy and expensive material, requires thorough fastening. Practical and hardy in everyday life, it has a status appearance. Combines with a countertop, sink, floor covering or splashback of a similar design. Suitable for placing heavy utensils or elegant decorative items.

Materials are often combined. The most harmonious combination of glass and wood with metal.

Style, color, material of manufacture

Open models are optimal for most styles:

• country;
• Provence;
• classical;
• rustic;
• chalet;
• art-believe;
• Scandinavian;
• high tech;
• loft;
• Art Deco;
• baroque;
• Empire;
• minimalism;
• brutalism;
• modern;
• Japanese;
• African.

The most suitable material for any style is natural wood. Designs richly decorated with carvings are often found in luxurious Empire and Baroque interiors. Simpler, thicker, rougher, suitable for Scandinavian style, rustic. In country and Provence, it is allowed to cover the shelves with decorative curtains with floral patterns or checkered patterns. High-tech and loft styles mean shelves made of glass, metal or a combination of both. In classic and neoclassical interiors, stone elements placed symmetrically look good, while plastic ones look good in minimalism, futurism, even in rococo or gothic styles.

When installing heavy structures on plasterboard walls or ceilings, additional installation of embedded bars is required.

Wooden

They have all sorts of sizes, can be made rectangular, rounded, asymmetrical, and have different thicknesses. They are decorated with textured carvings, paintings, elegant pyrography, covered with wax, stain, varnished, and when placed in damp corners of the room, they are impregnated with special compounds that prevent warping, cracking, damage by fungus, and mold.

Natural wood is used both simple and valuable species - oak, beech, maple, cherry, pear, alder, pine, spruce, fir, larch, birch and many others. For inexpensive interiors, natural wood is replaced with laminated or veneered chipboard, fiberboard, MDF, plywood, laminate, and plasterboard. Wooden surfaces combine perfectly with forged, wire, textile frames, individual glass inserts or sides. The product is mounted using brackets cut from wood, forged from metal, self-tapping screws, and looks great on walls lined with clapboard or covered with wood-look wallpaper.

To make wooden shelves yourself, select dry wood that does not have falling knots, crevices, cracks, traces of mold, or damage from bark beetles. Fragments of Euro pallets, boxes, old furniture, which should first be sanded, marked, and tinted with stain, are suitable.

Metal

Such parts are usually made of stainless steel; for certain interior styles they are chrome-plated and gold-plated. The shelves are thin and, when properly mounted, can withstand significant loads. They are reliable, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to clean. Often the product is made of mesh, for example, for drying dishes over the sink, or has hooks for hanging cups by the handle. Sometimes only the frame itself, the horizontal planes, are made of metal, and the side walls are decorated with slotted fragments of plywood or intertwined with threads in the macrame style.

Plastic

Shelves made of polyurethane are not particularly durable, so they are used primarily for decorative purposes. They are relatively durable, easy to install, and can be painted by manufacturers in a variety of colors. They contain small vases with flowers, light dishes, framed photographs, and jars of seasonings. The structures are made in fancy shapes, combined with brackets, niches, and other plastic moldings.

Plastic floor-mounted collapsible racks are usually placed in the corner of the room and are suitable for storing a small amount of dishes, cutlery, and kitchen textiles. If desired, a soft plastic shelf can be easily made from multi-colored plastic bags or a piece of film used for making greenhouses. The material is sewn together in the form of squares or inclined sections, suitable for storing cutlery, sponges for washing dishes, bags of aromatic herbs and spices.

Glass

Products made of transparent or tinted glass are highly decorative. They can significantly lighten the interior, adding airiness to the room. This model is selected to be at least five to seven millimeters thick and often has a mirrored back wall, which allows you to further expand the space, filling it with reflected light. Glass shelves require special fasteners equipped with holders with rubber gaskets and pressure screws at the bottom. This design will allow you to secure the glass as securely as possible, preventing it from accidentally falling. U-shaped shapes are very popular, equipped with sides of different heights on both sides.

Made from natural or artificial stone

A real stone structure made of granite and marble has significant weight, therefore it is used extremely rarely, in kitchens that have other stone surfaces - walls, floors, window sills, countertops. Artificial stone is much lighter, more flexible, it can be mounted on almost any surface using special metal brackets and imitates real stone with high quality. The shelf is placed above an electric or false fireplace, above a tabletop made of the same material, and is attached to forged brackets and side columns. Stone furniture elements are very environmentally friendly, durable, look good in various interiors, and are sometimes decorated with textured carvings. This model is rarely suspended, more often it has a combined mount.

How to determine the location

It will be possible to correctly fit shelves into an existing kitchen set if their design does not violate symmetry and echoes other furniture or facades. Experts do not recommend hanging shelves near the stove and sink, otherwise the contents will have to be constantly cleaned from splashes of grease, water, and detergents.

Designers often use kitchen wall shelves to create a seamless transition from the work area to the dining or living room. The location also depends on the content. Decorative items are usually placed next to the sofa, table, and functional items on the apron wall.

Spices and napkins are placed on table shelves. If the task is to make maximum use of the vertical space, shelves are also installed above the top shelves of the cabinets. To place small items, you should choose narrow models and hang them directly above each other.

Expert opinion

Olga Kovalenko

Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.

In the kitchen, shelves and niches made of plasterboard are made of irregular shape, with protrusions and recesses. In this case, architectural imperfections are used for the benefit of functionality and look creative.

For large items, massive single-level shelves and racks are suitable. But you should not place them in places of “high friction” - in the aisle, on the side of the sink, refrigerator, in close proximity to the dining table. There is a high probability of damaging the contents.

Installation considerations

Installing wall shelves is usually lighter than cabinets and does not cause difficulties. The simplest fastening is the classic screw. If heavy objects will be stored on the kitchen shelf, it itself should be quite massive, and for additional reliability you should use furniture corners and decorative brackets.

Glass and other delicate materials that cannot be drilled can be mounted using the pelican piece. It looks sleek and fits shelves up to 35mm thick.

The hidden fastening allows you to hide the fixing elements on the wall from view. Such a shelf is put on pins, which are pre-attached to dowels and screws. If plates and other objects that are unstable in a vertical position are placed on a wooden shelf, it is worth installing dowels on a horizontal surface.

Con: dust

First, personal opinion. After writing an article about my own new kitchen, which does not have wall cabinets, I received a lot of feedback that this solution is non-functional: a lot of dust accumulates on the kitchen shelves, which mixes with grease and is difficult to wash.

More than six months have passed since my repair, but even in the absence of a hood, an ordinary open shelf and a second railing shelf (like this one) did not bring me any problems. None. I even conducted an experiment specifically for this article: I skipped these shelves for a couple of spring cleanings, for a whole month. When I ran my finger over the shelf and the jars on it, my finger was 99% clean!

However, after studying the reviews on the forums, I came to the conclusion that I was very lucky. Because dust is the main stopping factor, which the housewives talked about:

“I have an open shelf behind the refrigerator, there are all sorts of small kitchen necessities - scales, a bottle holder, cookbooks, etc. The dust is settling... I'm tired of wiping it off. If there was more storage space, I would throw it away and put all the things on closed shelves.”

“Last week we had a set made of film MDF assembled; the kitchen hasn’t had time to settle in yet, but the dust from the open shelves has to be wiped off every 2 days, because it becomes visible, even though the kitchen is white. And on white, as you know, dust is generally hard to see. I’ll use it for a few more weeks, maybe I’ll contact the guys again to make two horizontal cabinets instead of open shelves. I really regret that I didn’t listen to the advice of the designer who designed our kitchen. I should have made the cabinets right away and my head wouldn’t hurt now...”

“And I am against open shelves. Not so much because of the mess that can be covered with a door, but because of the greasy dust that will definitely settle on everything in the kitchen. It’s one thing to wipe only the tops of closed shelves, and quite another to wash everything on those shelves.”

“A tiny open space for beauty won’t hurt: holding flowers, for example. It also depends on the region; in Odessa, for example, there is no dust at all, so they will have a different opinion.”

What will help:

• hood;
• a small number of objects on open shelves (this will make them easier to wipe);
• place shelves away from the stove;
• make not all shelves open, but only a couple;
• categorically, but - hire a cleaning service.

Shelf options in a small kitchen

In a small room, it is important to avoid clutter and provide ample storage space. In this sense, shelves are great for small kitchens.

The following tips will help you organize your space wisely:

• It’s better to have many small shelves than one massive one;
• It is recommended to place the shelves on the wall opposite the set;
• corner structures can be from floor to ceiling;
• asymmetrical shelves will enliven the space;
• You can hang mugs, ladles, and spatulas on hanging hooks;
• For a small kitchen, it is preferable to choose laconic models in light shades.

In the spacious kitchen

In a large room, sets with open shelves are often used as display cases. Here you can show off beautiful dishes, putting them face forward, luxury alcoholic drinks, turning the shelf into an open bar.

Non-standard design designs, including homemade and avant-garde ones, are appropriate.

As storage systems, open shelves in the kitchen can replace or complement upper blind cabinets, eliminating the feeling of overhang. They are especially relevant if the workspace is located near the window.

Installed in the food preparation area, these structures will provide quick access to spices, utensils, and cutlery. There is also room on the shelf for kitchen appliances - a multicooker, microwave oven, toaster and others.

Also in a spacious kitchen it is possible to install a peninsula set, inside of which there are niches for large dishes. Above it you can allocate space for hanging shelves.

High floor shelving is suitable for zoning a spacious room. You can place decorative elements, photo frames, candles, and flowers in them.

Design features: which style to choose for shelves

One of the most common options for using kitchen shelves is to use the most common options, which are attached to the walls in the old fashioned way.

Very often, such a design solution is used in American and European kitchens.

They are often matched either by color to the lower tier of furniture, or in contrast with them. Usually the same material is used to make furniture. This option for using shelves will suit almost any room design.

The advantages of kitchens with open shelves include the fact that they allow you to visually expand the space.

Provence

Provence is a style that has won our hearts with its romance and sophistication. Provence is the best choice for those who want to create a rustic corner in their apartment. The most common combination of colors in the Provence style is a catchy color with a neutral one.

It is quite possible to place all the items you need in everyday life on the shelves.

Provence has certain notes of antiquity, so it is recommended to use only natural materials for making furniture. A shelf in Provence style will fit perfectly into any kitchen interior.

You can put all your favorite kitchen decorations, dishes, napkins and other items there.

Modern

A modern kitchen with shelves instead of wall cabinets is actually a real work of art. Its feature is:

• original design solution;
• practicality;
• restraint;
• brevity.

Open shelves will add originality and individuality to the interior.

Modern is distinguished by a glossy finish, metal elements, glass and high-quality plastic. A massive light source is required. What material it is made from is also important. Wood is most often used for manufacturing, but metal elements are also acceptable.

Kitchen shelves can be used as showcases, displaying all the necessary design details.

Shelves in minimalist style

Shelves in the minimalist style can not only visually expand the area of ​​the room, but also make it more useful. Minimalism involves only the most necessary attributes and no frills; shelves as the top row in the kitchen are a necessity.

You can display your favorite set, a collection of cups or plates, flowers in pots, kitchen books and other things dear to your heart.

Materials and palette of kitchen open shelves:

• Decoration in pastel colors. Light pink shelves on a white background look great. The furniture is light in color. This often should not be filled entirely with utensils; it is intended only for non-essential elements.
• Dark paint on a light background. The cabinets and other furniture are made of dark wood, and the walls are painted white. The furniture harmonizes perfectly and at the same time contrasts with the walls.

Modern housewives are also attracted by the fact that if the kitchen shelves are open, then you don’t have to constantly waste time opening and closing cabinets.

Photo of shelves for the kitchen

Comfortable, beautiful and functional shelves give the room a special atmosphere and become the “icing on the cake” in interior design. To make the content look presentable, it is worth sorting it by direction.

For example, place only plates on one shelf, spices and seasonings on another, and decorative items on the third. The further away from the work area, the more “non-culinary” the filling can be.

Shelves in the kitchen can replace upper cabinets, which are often too heavy and bulky. Hanging and wall structures are mobile and ergonomic, they make life easier, make the interior cozy, and become platforms for decorative items or open stands for utensils. In a small kitchen, these products save space, and in a spacious kitchen they enliven and decorate the interior.

Practical solutions

This type of furniture is perfect for those who love to cook, because you can place everything you need in plain sight.

Designers consider the optimal location option to be above the cooking area.

On such a shelf you can place a small “plasma”. The best option when there is simply no space for the top row of cabinets.

When installing open shelves, remember that they will attract a lot of attention.

Using furniture such as shelves in the kitchen can perfectly refresh the interior. The original solution attracts many, but not everyone is ready to decide to give up upper closed cabinets.