Kitchen Design: Closed Cabinets or Open Shelves?
Are you designing or renovating a kitchen? If so you've probably faced the decision of cabinets: Should you go with the traditional closed cabinet kitchen or opt for the newer/trendier design of open cabinets?
Open Shelved Kitchen
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Pros: Open cabinets can give your kitchen an ultra-chic look. If you have colorful mixing bowls, like the kitchen above, or any display-worthy items you want to show off open shelves may be the cabinet choice for you!
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Even if color isn't your cup of tea, monotone kitchen supplies of matching styles can give the open-cabinet look the same clean effect you see pictured in magazines.
Cons: If you're like me, your kitchen isn't always spotless and every plate and cup doesn't match exactly. This is a major issue with the open-shelved design, you see everything. Not to mention if you have kids or a sloppy husband to mess up your perfectly arranged shelves:
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Did little Suzy put back all her dishes perfectly?
The main problem with the open-shelved design is that reality doesn't always mimic ideology. This kitchen design photographs great, the pictures in magazines are inspiring, but for the everyday person it may not be as functional.
Closed Cabinet Kitchen
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Pros: Closed cabinet kitchen design provides a clean look at minimal effort. You can store your kids' plastic cup they got at a restaurant a week before or the souvenir cup you brought back from your alma mater's big game!
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With closed cabinets you can keep anything you want behind the closed cabinet doors, without sacrificing the cleanliness of your kitchen. It is kind of like cleaning your room by throwing everything in your closet. This type of design is ideal for a family kitchen or anyone with a really busy schedule.
Cons: Closed cabinets are the traditional kitchen design. If you're looking for a more edgy kitchen it would be tempting to turn away from closed cabinets.
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Another option would be to combine the open shelf kitchen design with the closed cabinet kitchen design for a both functional and trendy kitchen!
What kinds of cabinets did you decide to use for your new or renovated kitchen?
