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Glass Doors Cabinets or Open Glass Shelves – A Comprehensive Guide
By zarafshan qayyum
Interior design trends change so fastly. At times, we choose to integrate a trend in our interior settings inspired by its popularity but regret it afterward when it fades out of the trend list. How great would it be that you jump on a design fad and it remains around?
One of these design trends is open kitchen shelving.
This theme of shelving is one that will never go out of style. Nothing can beat the open kitchen shelves for versatility and convenience. Whether it’s contemporary or traditional, open kitchen shelving will continue to be a popular feature for kitchens of all interior designs.
Table of Contents
Glass Doors cabinets vs. Open Glass Shelves
Cabinets are a key component of any kitchen interior. If you’re not careful enough in your choices, the aesthetic features that cabinetry brings to a kitchen design might potentially detract from the look and function of your kitchen. So in some cases, it is better to avoid cabinets altogether and use open shelves instead. We will discuss the difference between the kitchen cabinets with open shelves and covered cabinetry here.
Benefits of Open Glass Shelves
Open shelves are a classic design feature. Everything is within easy reach with open cabinetry. Here are some more benefits of choosing kitchen cabinets with open shelves.
Ever-Trendy
Contemporary interior design is all about simplicity and minimalism. Adding floating shelves to your kitchen can help make your kitchen interior feel more open and breezy. The open shelves clear out the visual barriers. You can effortlessly set up an open and contemporary kitchen with floating shelves especially if you limit the amount and type of items on display. Open shelves can also serve as a focal point in the kitchen.
Ease of Access
Open shelves bring everything within arm’s reach. You can simply grab and go when everything is within easy reach. If you keep your commonly used items on open shelves, you won’t have to open the cupboards and search for them every time you need to use them. Having everything you need within your reach saves time and improves the functional value of the kitchen.
Economical Option
In comparison to the covered cabinetry, open shelving comes at a very economical price. Even if you go for the inexpensive options, covered cabinets still cost a lot more than the open shelves. So installing floating shelves is a cost-effective and creative approach to saving money. You can also create a fusion of open and closed shelves by combining these two design features in your kitchen.
Easy to Maintain
Well-built open cabinetry is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Cabinet doors are at more risk of catching splatter and stains. While shelves require very little upkeep. To clean the shelves, simply remove the shelf contents, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, and they are ready to use again.
Display Your Favorites
Got an exquisite crockery set that doubles as an art piece? Put it on display and make a style statement. Open shelves allow you to flaunt your favorite kitchenware. So, add a vibrant touch to your kitchen interior by showcasing your collection.
Drawbacks of Open Shelving
Along with ups, there are some downsides to using open cabinets as well. Let’s have a look.
Disorganization
Kitchen cabinets with open shelves can make the kitchen appear cluttered and crowded, if not properly maintained. You can create a theme for the items you exhibit to avoid the issue of disorder.
Limited Storage
Closed cabinets can contain significantly more things as compared to open or floating shelves. So if your main concern is storage then open cabinets can turn out to be an incorrect choice.
Privacy
Some people may not want to put their kitchenware on display. Open cabinets may be a bad idea in that case.
Pros of Glass Cabinets
Glass cabinets are a common part of standard kitchen interiors. Here are some benefits of installing glass cabinets over floating shelves in the kitchen.
More Storage Space
There are a lot of things in the kitchen that need to be set in place. Cookbooks, linens, utensils, baking supplies, cleaning supplies, and many other kitchen essentials are there to be stored. You can fall short of storage space with open shelves. So covered cabinets can serve as a great space booster.
Design Versatility
There are more design options when it comes to covered cabinetry. You can choose clear, frosted, textured, or tinted doors based on your kitchen aesthetics.
Conceals Clutter
The best thing about covered cabinets is that you can effectively conceal clutter with them. You can stay well-organized and structured with glass cabinets.
Cons of Glass Cabinets
Here are a few noticeable drawbacks of glass cabinets.
Expensive
Installing glass cabinets costs more than open shelves. The covering material and glass doors are potentially the main reason why covered cabinetry leans on the high-end side.
Dirt And Stains
The clear glass doors can show stains and scratches. They are also more prone to showing splatter and spots.
How to Convert Cabinets to Open Shelving?
If you already have covered cabinetry, but it’s worn out or you want to give a new look to your kitchen interior, you can simply convert the cabinets into open shelves. Here is how you can do it.
Tools
The list of necessary tools that you will require for this job is as follows.
- Screwdriver
- Pull saw
- Utility knife
- Sandpaper
- Nails
- Caulk and caulk gun
- Cleaning Cloth
- Paint
Steps
Here is a step-by-step guide to converting closed cabinets into open shelves.
1. Remove the Doors
The first step is to remove the doors and all hardware from the cabinets using a screwdriver. Find the binding clip on each door hinge and detach it from the cabinet. Remove the rest of the hardware from the cabinet as well.
2. Cover the Nail Holes
If you want to change the cabinetry altogether, remove the center stiles of your cabinet. However, you can leave it in place if you plan to restore the covered cabinetry later on. Remove the splinters and loose wood. Clean the space with a clean piece of cloth. Cover the nail holes and smooth up the surface for further work.
3. Caulk the Seams and Finish Up!
Seal the seams with a paintable caulk. Apply the caulk and remove the extra caulk. Let the caulk dry. You can now paint the shelves according to your kitchen interior. Let the paint dry. Enhance your open shelves with your favorite dishes, bowls, and kitchenware now.
Concluding Note!
Anyone who is planning a kitchen remodel would come across the choices of open shelves, and closed upper cabinets. Closed cabinets have the apparent advantage of hiding everything. However open shelving allows simple access to everyday dishes while also allowing you to display your favorite cutlery pieces. Both design features have their pros and cons. It all boils down to your style preferences. So before making the decisions, consider your kitchen layout, take the available options in regard and choose accordingly. The best way is to create a blend of both closed and open shelves to put some things on display while concealing the others.
