Kitchen with shelves instead of wall cabinets: photos of the real interior

Minimalism is in fashion now. This means that open cabinets are ideal for decoration. Wall cabinets are increasingly being questioned. At first glance, it looks quite stylish and not hackneyed, unlike the closed version. Today they are a real trend. But after thinking about it, many people prefer to make closed cabinets because they require much less time to clean.

It is very important to design the kitchen space so that everything you need is always freely available.

Shelves instead of a wall cabinet: kitchen design options

Wall cabinets. Their purpose can be quite extensive. They can accommodate cans of bulk products, cups, plates, and even a small plasma. They look especially stylish with a hidden fastening.
Cabinets. Often, open-type cabinets are located below. They are convenient for placing the items you use most often. This could be something like dishes that you use every day, or a notepad or book.
Open shelves in cabinets. Built-in shelving can also be multifunctional. They can be placed anywhere - above the door, between windows or instead of the top row of kitchen cabinets.
Shelves above the sink. A great place to store utensils that you use every day.

Stylish open shelves are popular in modern kitchen interiors.

How to choose the right model

You can buy open shelves at a furniture hypermarket or make them yourself if you have some construction skills. Parameters to consider when choosing a model:

Shelf strength.
Reliability of fasteners. The shelf must be able to support significant weight without the risk of falling.
Sufficient width and depth of the shelf.
Design. Shape, size and color play an important role in the design of a kitchen interior.
Cost of finished products and materials for independent work.

When choosing a material, you should evaluate the treatment of surfaces to protect against moisture, corrosion and pests (fungal colonies, bark beetles that can damage the structure of the working base).

Advantages and disadvantages of open shelves

Among the advantages of shelves can be noted.

Open cabinets can increase space. Looks great in small spaces, especially where every cm is worth its weight in gold.
Unlike massive cabinets, which often get in the way when opening the doors, open cabinets are much more convenient in this regard.
Everything is in plain sight, and you can quickly find the item you need.
They look harmonious with closed cabinets.
A more budget option compared to a full-fledged kitchen set, because the top row will also require a lot of money.
Fast production and installation. This is especially true for those who have just moved into a new home.
If there are children in the apartment, then the top drawers can be used to keep dangerous things away from them.
An unconventional look of the kitchen that will definitely attract the attention of guests.

Many experts believe that open shelves are much more appropriate in the interior of a modern kitchen than classic closed cabinets.

Disadvantages of shelves without doors for a modern interior.

Cleaning will be required much more often than on closed shelving. It will make the task of moving the shelves away from the opening windows a little easier.
Often they are not large enough and their size does not allow storing massive items.
Not all dishes are suitable for display.

Such a functional detail looks interesting and fresh and allows you to add zest to the interior through the use of various small details.

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.

Open shelves in a small kitchen

Open kitchen shelves will solve several problems at the same time. Buying a kitchen set is a costly affair, but wall-mounted ones will help save money. Manufacturing requires much less material, so their cost is significantly lower.

They are mobile and, if necessary, you can change their location or remove the shelves altogether.

In addition, the shelves are quite versatile. They harmonize perfectly with furniture of any style. Open shelves in the kitchen interior, as in the photo, will look good with country, modern, baroque, Provence, and classic style furniture.

Kitchen shelves can be made of different materials, depending on the style in which the kitchen itself is created.

Such furniture takes up much less space and does not create a feeling of space congestion. This is a significant advantage for apartments that do not have a large area.

The most popular options are shelves made of natural wood, laminate, glass, iron or even plastic.

Note! For small apartments, installing open shelves is the best option. The capacity of such furniture is the same as that of closed structures, but at the same time they significantly save free space.

Floor open shelves

Open wall shelves for the kitchen often have a durable metal body and shelves made of glass, wood or plastic. Rear, side walls and facades are not provided.

Some products are characterized by the presence of limiters in the form of thin slats. These models are designed for storing bulky and heavy dishes, as they can withstand significant loads.

Note!

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How to make open shelves look stylish and practical

Shelves will help save space in small spaces. In turn, with closing doors they are well suited for large kitchens. Open kitchens will look harmonious in combination with wicker items, which are indispensable for any housewife.

Kitchens with upper open shelves require constant cleaning.

Decorative cabinets primarily serve as decoration in the room. That is why they are often not very wide. You can place a small amount of dishes on them as decoration.

They are constantly in sight, so you need to constantly wipe the dust there and clean all the decorative parts from it.

It is better to complement wooden shelves with additional lighting. Glass shelves are becoming increasingly popular.

Before buying shelves, think about how you will combine all the details of the kitchen set with each other.

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.

Benefits of open kitchen shelves

The advantages of open shelves include:

Compactness. Furniture takes up a minimum of free space, visually expanding the room. No space is required for doors to swing open (as is the case with cabinets). You can place shelves on the wall above the dining table.
Functionality and practicality. The shelves are designed to store various items. Despite its compactness, a large amount of dishes, food, etc. can be placed on the shelves. Sometimes furniture also plays a decorative role (when placing vases, souvenirs, etc.).
Variety of models. Various shapes, sizes, materials and designs make it easy to choose the right option.
Ergonomics. Open shelves are easy to use and make it easy to find the item you need.
Compatible with other interior items. Open shelves go well with cabinets, built-in furniture, appliances, and a kitchen table.

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.

Shelf layout options

Shelves in the kitchen are divided into several types depending on their location. The most popular type is mounted. Such models combine well with other interior items and easily fit even into a small free space. Mounted on the wall, they are compact and convenient. The fastening can be hidden, which improves the appearance.

You can install various items and equipment on hanging shelves. Depth and height vary depending on the purpose. Metal kitchen shelves with hanging mounts, located above the table, look great. A microwave oven, an electric kettle, and frequently used items (salt shaker, sugar bowl, etc.) are placed on them.

Built-in shelves are another spacious option that takes up minimal space. Often kitchens in apartments have niches, recesses, and ledges that can be used effectively. For this purpose, shelves are attached to them.

The next location option is floor-mounted. These shelves are made in the form of a rack. They do not require special efforts for fastening; it is enough to install the structure on the base. You can also store various things here. For example, install an oven rack under the microwave, and place frequently used kitchen utensils on other shelves.

And the last option is a tabletop kitchen shelf. Such products are small in size. They are not always convenient because they take up space on work surfaces.