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lorisymes

Kitchen dilemma, upper cabinets vs open shelves

6 years ago

I’m building a new home and am looking for advice as to what to do with the cabinetry to the right of my refrigerator. See the first picture below. It is the only wall in the kitchen that has room for upper cabinets. We will have a large walk in pantry, so storage is not an issue. I’m wanting to add open shelving and was thinking that putting it to the right of the fridge would be a good place. not sure if I’ll miss my uppers or not. We plan to use this area as a coffee bar. I also have nice pottery that I can display, but I do not have a plan as to where to put our cups or glasses yet. Any suggestions?






Comments (7)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Doors no question. Floating shelves look great but they are decoration. Only you know how much storage you need but I can’t imagine not having uppers, I know many people will disagree.

    lorisymes thanked HALLETT & Co.
  • 6 years ago

    Cabinets. Get good under cabinet lighting and maybe a couple of glass doors to show off some pieces - maybe with a little interior cabinet light as well. Open shelves would require dusting regularly and in a busy kitchen, add a little oil in the air.... it gets ookie.

  • 6 years ago

    I like having glassware and dishes right above the dishwasher since they are used the most, and silverware in the same vicinity or only a few steps away.
    I store pots and pans closer to the stove and bakeware and cookie sheets near the prep zone. My cabinet guy did a narrow pull-out unit for each side of the sink, which I use for empty canning jars on one side and my dishwasher pods and scrub sponges on the other side next to the dishwasher. I would not have a kitchen without upper cabinets. Open shelving is only for my most-used cookbooks and maybe a decorative piece. I like full-extension heavy-duty rollout bottom shelves for the lower cabinets with doors, and adjustable shelves for all of the uppers. And I like at least two all-drawer 24” wide lowers.

  • 6 years ago

    Open shelving is a fad that will pass if not already begun. They are display space not storage...people always want more storage.....but in the end you know your needs.

  • 6 years ago

    I vote upper cabinets ... but in the right space, I know that enclosed shelves can work really well. I have enclosed shelves in one corner and it has made that corner cabinet SO much more useful than any alternative. Being able to quickly grab dishes or put them away just works well. But - this is about as far from my stove as you can get, so greasy mist from cooking isn't an issue. And since we use all this stuff often, dust isn't an issue.


    How did you want to use shelves? I am attaching a pic as a reference for how I use them. These sorts of shelves are not popular here, and I admit to not liking wide open shelves when they are close to a stove, but I have found them SO handy I like to let other people see them as an option. This pic was as I was figuring out what to put where, but it isn't too far from how we use it.


    lorisymes thanked Pam A
  • 5 years ago

    I vote open shelves. Lots of people use them for everyday, not just for display. If you want a coffee bar there then you can store your mugs on the shelf with your coffee, etc in decorative tins. It will be functional and beautiful. I would totally go with mother_goose's suggested change though. Move the pantry to the other side of the fridge.