Help with open shelving in a kitchen
I would like some open shelving and was thinking of putting it where the space is. Would you try to put a cabinet up and take off the doors and the thing in the middle? Would you then make it two shelves because I would like to put a bigger than what is on the counter microwave in there.
Or should we just make two shelves to connect the two cabinets? Especially since I don't know if we have more cabinets to fit in that space? This is a lot harder than I initially thought. Or third option , just do all cabinets with doors. I thought I would like to modernize
it a little. This is my son's first house and he is probably going to sell it so he is on a tight budget.
Comments (7)
PRO9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoI would do two (or three) shelves that connect the two cabinets. To me, cabinet boxes with the doors removed look unfinished and unintentional, unless done really well.
Generally, open shelving is used for nicer dishes and glasses and other decorative items. I don't think putting a large(r) microwave would be the best use of the shelving. If you don't plan on having dishes/glasses displayed nicely then I recommend sticking to closed door cabinets and invest in under cabinet lighting for design interest.
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9 years agoI would make shelves -- you can attach them to the cabinets as well as having sturdy brackets to support them from the wall (find your studs!). Then you can customize one to be just the size for the microwave, and the other can be whatever height. And you have the choice to have contrasting materials -- for example, if you intend to paint those uppers white to match the lowers, you could leave the shelves as raw wood or some other material (stainless, etc.) to add some warmth/variety.
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San Francisco Kitchen Redux · More InfoThat's a pretty popular look, so it will probably add value to the home for resale, if they look nice and not jury-rigged.
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9 years ago- 9 years ago
- 9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Shelves longer than 3 ft should absolutely have support in the middle, especially if one intends to place something heavy on them. One can use thicker lumber, such as stacked 3/4-inch plywood to create shelves with more heft. The depth of cabinets is around 12 inches, so make sure the added shelves will be deep enough to accommodate an appliance.
I would not put a microwave, even a small one on these shelves. I would definitely put doors on the existing cabinets. One could mix both solid and glass doors, limiting the glass door cabinets to plates, serving ware and glassware.
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dcarboneau thanked mindshift - 9 years ago
Judy Mishkin