Open shelving offers a trendy, minimalist aesthetic with its light and airy appeal. However, keeping it looking picture-perfect often means dealing with constant upkeep and clutter. Cabinets, in contrast, provide a practical and timeless solution. They keep your kitchen tidy, protect your essentials from dust, and effortlessly enhance any design style. Discover why traditional cabinets are better than open shelving.
Maximizes Storage
Traditional cabinets maximize vertical space, allowing you to stack items securely without causing a mess or risking those items falling. They’re perfect for storing bulky items, such as stand mixers, blenders, and large pots that don’t fit well on open shelves. Likewise, you can designate each cabinet and shelf inside it to different items so your kitchen remains organized. Pull-out drawers, lazy Susans, and custom dividers all provide other ways to maximize storage and keep items readily accessible.
Hides the Clutter
Most of us can agree that clutter is an eyesore that detracts from a stunning room. Open shelving allows you to see everything on them, and the more stuff you have on each shelf, the more likely your room will look cluttered. Items may appear organized, but the number of dishes, appliances, and other kitchen items can quickly overwhelm the space.
The beauty of traditional cabinets is that they allow you to conceal every dish, pot, mug, pan, and other cooking essentials. Better yet, you don’t have to be selective about what pieces you put on display!
For example, your cooking and dining essentials must act as functional decor when you have open shelving. Therefore, you must find pieces that align with your kitchen’s design and are microwave, oven, stovetop, and dishwasher safe. However, traditional cabinets allow you to make them the accent pieces rather than your cookware to maintain a cohesive kitchen aesthetic without losing functionality.
Simplifies Cleaning
Traditional cabinets require significantly less maintenance compared to open shelving since most of the cleaning required occurs on the exterior. If you have open shelves, you must remove your dishes and glassware at least once a month to wipe everything down and clean off any dust. Leaving your dinnerware out can result in it getting dusty or dirty, especially from cooking mishaps if it’s near the stove.
Enclosed cabinets protect your dishes, glassware, and food from the dust and grease that naturally accumulate in a kitchen. Therefore, the items you use for eating and cooking always remain clean and ready for use. You will not need to rewash a plate or glass that has been sitting out for a few days.
Likewise, cleaning your cabinets usually just means wiping down the exterior doors and occasionally organizing the interior. While you should wax your wood cabinets annually or semi-annually, the task can vary depending on the wood type.
Always in Style
Open shelving is a trend, and while it may leave a mark and become more of a classic, it’s too early to know for sure. On the other hand, traditional cabinets are timeless and have remained popular for centuries.
Traditional cabinets possess a timeless aesthetic that complements a range of kitchen designs, from classic farmhouse to sleek modern. This versatility makes it easy for homeowners to select cabinets that align with their personal taste or the current trends. Moreover, traditional cabinets offer design flexibility since you can update hardware or even repaint the doors for a fresh look without a complete renovation.
A Bonus
Since cabinets are a classic option, they’re more likely to boost your home’s resale value and appeal to a range of buyers. While open shelving may appeal to some, it can also be a turn-off for others who prefer traditional cabinetry’s practicality and organization features.
Secures Fragile Items
Another reason traditional cabinets are better than open shelving is that they give you a place for delicate items. Placing your China or crystal on a shelf means risking it getting knocked over and breaking. Since cabinets have doors, they provide a secure space to store these fragile items and keep them safe from accidental damage.
Additionally, traditional cabinets can regulate humidity exposure, which is crucial for preserving delicate materials. This layer of protection offers peace of mind, knowing your valued possessions are safely tucked away, out of harm’s reach, while maintaining an organized and polished look in your space.
Tips for Buying Cabinets
Cabinets serve a crucial function in organizing and protecting your belongings, but there are also several factors to consider when purchasing them. Here are some tips to keep in mind before making your purchase.
Pick a Style
Cabinet styles dictate the look of your kitchen, and with so many options, it’s essential to think about your design goals. Think about the vibe you want in your kitchen as you inspect your options. Here are some of the best cabinets for a rustic kitchen:
- 1/2” overlay cabinets: These cabinets leave a portion of the frame visible around the door and drawers, creating a rustic, traditional appearance with added depth and detail.
- Flush inset cabinets: These cabinets have doors and drawers that sit flush with the frame, offering a sleek and seamless look that is perfect for blending rustic charm with modern design.
- Full overlay face frame cabinets: These cabinets cover nearly the entire cabinet frame, providing a clean and polished look while maximizing storage space. This option is ideal for a bold yet functional rusticstyle kitchen.
Evaluate how the cabinet style blends with the rest of your kitchen’s design elements, such as countertops and backsplashes.
Decide on a Finish
The finish you select will influence your cabinet’s appearance and maintenance needs. A finish can either enhance the natural beauty of the wood or completely change its color and feel. Popular options include:
- Rustic brown barnwood finish
- Rustic gray barnwood finish
- Planed barnwood finish
- Painted distressed
- Painted finish
Consider the colors you prefer and what would best complement your kitchen if you’re unsure about the type of finish that would look best. You can also consult a professional designer or visit home improvement stores to see samples of different options in person.
Get Your Cabinets
Barnwood Kitchen Cabinets can design stunning rustic kitchen cabinets for your home. We have many styles and stains for you to choose from to help you capture that subtle farmhouse charm. Our team will closely collaborate with you to create custom cabinets that reflect your unique style and story.
