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When we plan to furnish a room, the question always arises which is better open shelves or cabinets. There is no doubt that the two storage variants have their place in the home, but each has its own advantages over the other and is more appropriate for some type of object.
For example, no one would think of putting their clothes on open shelves unless they have a changing room that is actually a large closet. On the other hand, however, ordering books, works of art, and travel memorabilia inside a locked cupboard doesn’t make any sense.
There are things that should always be in sight and within easy reach and it is not just about decoration items. For this reason in this article we are going to teach you ideas and give you advice on the use of shelves in home design.
Pros and Cons of Open Shelving
As with all home design options there are a ton of pros and cons to consider when you start planning a new space.
The kitchen is one of the main workspaces in the home, so let’s see a few things to think about when you decide.
Access
The best thing about open shelving is the fact that they are open. At a glance you will know where everything is and you will know exactly what is ready to go. Also, the fact that you can see all your pieces will encourage you to use your porcelain more and serve meals on the plates of different sizes that you have, because they will never be “out of sight or out of mind”.
Functionality
Open shelving really works perfectly in one of two situations. Either you put all the pieces you use every day in plain view for easy access, or you are just using them to display your most decorative items. If used for everyday parts, there is rarely a problem with cleaning as these parts are moved from one shelf to another for frequent washing and do not have time to collect dust on the shelf.
For non-daily items (such as a beautiful collection of jugs or the like), no matter where you keep them, if you only use them several times a year, you will need to wash them first.
The budget
One of the most important “pros” of open shelving is the very low cost. As you plan your new kitchen, keep in mind that the use of open shelving can save some amount of the budget that you could use for other purposes.
They can be combined
Actually the best thing is the mixture of open shelves and cabinets in the kitchen. This way you will be able to place in visible places some decoration pieces together with the porcelain and the tableware of daily use, but at the same time in the closed cabinets you will keep the kitchen items that do not have to be displayed (such as pots and pans).
Now when it comes to your worries about how annoying open shelving can be, every home has a list of pesky chores. We make beds every morning just to mess them up every night, and we bring out luxurious hand towels that no one should be using in our guests’ bathrooms.
One idea for those who worry about dust and shelf clutter is to keep all of your items in cupboards, but with glass doors. This way, you will have visual access to your wonderful collections, but you won’t have to dust or clean as often.
Open shelves in the living room
Storage books and other decorative objects in the living room may, on the one hand, seem like a practical task, but open shelves make it possible to solve this matter not only in a simple and comfortable way, but also in a creative way.
Who said that living room shelves are ordinary furniture, and not a canvas to express your creative impulses? They also open before us a wide variety of options to create various combinations of decoration! And what do you think about the fact that the arrangement itself can be a work of art?
In this article, we suggest you take a look at the modern shelves that we present to you and that will help you create a more comfortable and elegant interior. Floor shelves, wall shelves and modular sets: here you will find a large number of fashionable furniture for all tastes.
Fully Open Shelving Sections
Usually, shelving sections do not require any installation work, and can be moved to a new home at any time, therefore they are the most popular type of shelving for the living room.
Low shelves, bookcases, buckets, shelving sections up to the ceiling and much more – a multitude of options are offered on the market today and below we try to gather some of the most interesting.
Elegant Wall Shelves for Living Room
Wall shelves are used not only to store objects, but also to decorate bare walls with houseplants, framed photographs, works of art, etc.
In addition, the different types of shelves offer great possibilities for creative decoration. Such shelves in the living room can also create an unusual contrast with the color and texture of the walls, adding brightness and originality to the interior.
Modular Shelving for a Modern Living Room
Modern modular living room sets are increasingly being used as an alternative to traditional large display cabinets and wall cabinets. The reason for their growing popularity is that they provide excellent flexibility in organizing objects and are even assembled into original compositions.
If you are fed up with the composition of a modular shelf or new needs have arisen, it can be easily transformed, without having to buy a completely different new one. And if you need more space, you can always add new modules from the same series without breaking the general style.
As you can see, the shelves in the living room can have absolutely any shape, color and size, so your choice today depends solely on the needs of your space and the preferred style.
For example an open high shelving section will help you divide a large room into two zones, while shelves on the walls save a lot of space.
Types of Shelves
Homes need shelves to organize books and other ornaments, which would otherwise be scattered on the floor or forgotten in an attic. Shelves of different types are used in stores, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, and even hotel rooms to store and display items. They are available in a wide range of styles, designs, prices, and materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and glass.
Shelving section
Shelving sections have individual supports and can be used as stand-alone shelving or in combination with additional supports to form a multi-unit shelving system. The brackets can be made of metal and wood and can be mounted directly to a wall or box.
Built-in shelving
Built-in shelving is among the simplest shelving units. These are structures that can be mounted inside nooks and crannies of a home. The simplest type of built-in shelf is a single wooden board fixed horizontally in an opening in a wall.
Built-in shelves can be installed virtually anywhere in the home: upper or lower cabinets, walls, and even next to a fireplace. They can be assembled and placed on site or built off site, usually in a workshop, and can be installed after completion. Built-in shelves are an effective and flexible way to make the most of empty or uncomfortable spaces.
Floating shelves
Floating shelves are a great way to display decorative items around the home. Unlike fixed support units, which are attached by visible nails, floating shelving systems appear to “float” on the walls, apparently without fastening by nails or screws. Floating shelves are made of engineered or natural wood and are compatible with internal brackets. They are available in a wide range of colors, designs, sizes and shapes and are excellent for interior decoration.
Freestanding shelving
Freestanding shelves are ideal for both storage and display. They are portable and can be moved to virtually any area, as long as there is enough space. Freestanding shelving systems are available in a variety of sizes, colors, materials, and designs.
