Shelving plays an important functional role in interior design, providing storage solutions that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Whether it’s for displaying books or storing away everyday essentials, shelving can help your home look organised and clutter-free. In modern times, open shelving has gained in popularity, with many homeowners opting for open shelves as compared to closed cabinets. In this post, we take a closer look at the pros and cons of open shelving in interior design to help you make a more well-informed decision when it comes to choosing a shelving solution for your own home.

What is Open Shelving?

Open shelving is a general term that can be used to refer to any type of shelving that is not enclosed by doors or cabinets. This style of shelving therefore allows the items places on the shelves to be easily accessible and visible. Open shelving can range in style from simple floating shelves to more elaborate shelving units with varying levels and designs.

Pros of Open Shelving

Some of the advantages that you can enjoy with open shelving include:

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Open shelving can create an open, airy feel. This makes it a great choice for smaller spaces as it can help the space to feel larger than it actually is.
  • Accessibility: By having everything visible and easily within reach, open shelving can improve accessibility. This can be a good way to store items that you use frequently or require easy access to.
  • Cost Effectiveness: Open shelving tends to be cheaper than closed cabinets as well. This makes them a good, cost-effective shelving solution, especially for spaces such as the bathroom or the kitchen.

Cons of Open Shelving

However, open shelving is not without its disadvantages, which can include:

  • Maintenance and Cleaning: Open shelving requires more regular maintenance and cleaning as compared to closed cabinets. This is because their accessibility also means that dirt, grime and fingerprints are more easily able to accumulate on their surfaces.
  • Visible Clutter: If you have too many items on your open shelves, it can also look visible cluttered and messy. This is especially so in high traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Not Suitable for All Items: Certain items such as personal care products or cleaning items may not be suitable for display and would be better stored in closed cabinets.

Shelving Design in Your Custom Home

If you’re looking to design a custom home but aren’t sure how to incorporate shelving in an efficient yet aesthetically pleasing manner, Australian Heritage Homes can help. We are the leading home builders in Melbourne and have been helping local residents design and build their dream homes for generations. Regardless of what your preferences are, we would be more than happy to work with you to turn your dream home into a reality. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help with your home design and building needs!