In kitchens, open shelving tends to trap and accumulate substantial amounts of dust.
In kitchens, open shelving tends to trap and accumulate substantial amounts of dust.
The kitchen is a bustling area in homes, serving multiple purposes such as hosting, gathering, cooking, and cleaning. Its design and organization significantly impact your daily life more than you may realize. I discovered this reality after moving into a house with a kitchen layout feature that I eventually grew to despise, an open shelf design.
This modern trend, which has gained popularity in recent years, was initially appealing due to its ability to make small kitchen spaces appear more spacious and less congested. The open shelves can also be stylized in a fun and visually appealing manner, showcasing your favorite glassware and plates. However, any aesthetic benefits were overshadowed by a significant issue: dust.
Reasons I Dislike Open Shelving in the Kitchen
The Attraction of Open Shelving
I recognized the allure of open shelving. It's often suggested for small kitchen spaces to create a sense of openness and less cluttered feeling. They can also be styled creatively, adding a visual appeal to your favorite dishware. Personally, I appreciated their looks; yet, any visual advantages were dampened by one prominent issue: dust.
Dust: Open Shelving's Achilles Heel
Open shelves accumulated more dust than any other feature I've had in a house. As a result, the dusting and cleaning duties increased drastically on a weekly basis. It wasn't surprising to see a resurgence of closed floor plans, replacing open ones. Traditional cabinetry was becoming more popular again than modern open shelving. I am grateful that open shelving no longer graces my home, for several reasons.
The Shelves Are Inevitably Dustier Than Closed Cabinetry
As someone accustomed to traditional cabinetry, I was caught off guard by how rapidly open shelving becomes dusty. Maintenance was required almost constantly, demanding removal of every item to clean away the dust thoroughly.
Everything Gathers Dust Quickly
Similar to kitchen items that become dustier in closed cabinets, open shelving attracts dust particles floating in the air. I often found myself rinsing glassware before using and wiping down plates to avoid dining on loose dust.
Preparing for Guests Requires Extra Time
Hosting soon became a daunting task due to the dust that would collect on items sitting on the open shelves. I would have to remove wine glasses or other items to thoroughly rinse and dry them before guests arrived, to avoid them sipping on dusty glassware.
Forgive the Obnoxious Neighborhood of the Stovetop
The existence of open shelving near the stovetop exacerbated the dust problem. Humidity and grease emitted by the stovetop only encouraged dust to adhere to glassware even more stubbornly, necessitating a thorough washing of many items before use.
Alternatives to Open Shelving
Opt for Glass-Paneled Cabinets
If you desire an open look without facing the actual challenges of open shelves, consider swapping solid cabinet doors for glass-paneled ones. Display your lovely glassware and plates without additional issues.
Showcase Elsewhere
Instead of investing in open shelving in the kitchen's center, exhibit serveware and barware in other areas, like a wet bar or dining room. Present more specialty or visually appealing items instead of everyday items (that would collect dust easily). Placing open shelving away from the kitchen's action can help reduce dust-collecting humidity.
To summarize, open shelving may have its initial allure, but their advantages are quickly outweighed by the challenge of dust management. Consider alternatives like glass-paneled cabinets or placing open shelving in less congested areas to achieve an open look without facing the hassle of constant dusting.
After my unpleasant experience with an open shelf kitchen design, I turned to Southern Living for alternative kitchen design ideas. One option they suggested was using glass-paneled cabinet doors instead of open shelving, which would provide an open look without the dust accumulation. additionally, showcasing serveware and barware in other areas, such as a wet bar or dining room, can help reduce dust-collecting humidity in the kitchen.