ADU Builders often get asked by clients about installing open shelving instead of upper cabinets in accessory dwelling unit (ADU) kitchens. The visual lightness and style of open shelves has obvious curb appeal. However, leaving dishes, glassware and cooking equipment exposed instead of hidden behind closed cabinet doors brings up practical issues too.

Weighing aesthetic desires versus functionality concerns takes thoughtful planning when designing ADU floor plans for open kitchen shelving. This wholesale shift toward a lighter, airier look speaks to changing lifestyle preferences. With strategic design thinking guidance from expert ADU builders in San Diego, you can strike the perfect balance between style and utility.

The Rise of Open Shelving

Exposed shelving skipped straight from daring trend to mainstream staple. The feast-for-the-eyes approach shows off vibrant dishware, handmade pottery and fancy barware. Showcasing pretty things provides visual joy. Open shelving fits with the casual-chic look favored for ADUs and tiny homes. Closed cabinets can feel heavy and domineering in a small kitchen.

With open shelving, everything gets used more often. There’s no “out of sight, out of mind” issue where items get buried in cupboards for years. Seeing bare shelves also helps clue homeowners into restocking necessities. The reductionist, utilitarian style embraces a paired-down mindset of keeping just the items you need and use.

Functional Considerations

Despite the minimalist appeal, open shelves require much more intentionality about what gets displayed. Anything left out needs to look good since it stays visible. The dishes and glassware placed on exhibit essentially become part of the room’s decor.

Open shelving works best showcasing tableware, specialized barware and decorative cookbooks.

Cleaning becomes more imperative since dust and grease splatters on open shelves show. That level of upkeep might prove realistic for a vacation home kitchen or rental unit without tons of cooking. But for a heavily used primary home kitchen, the cleaning commitment could become taxing.

Items stored open to the air lose humidity over time. Certain vintage glassware or delicate wine glasses could develop micro-cracks. However, this isn’t an issue for modern tempered glass drinkware or glazed ceramic dishes.

Another functional concern involves the lack of storage space. Eliminating upper cabinets greatly reduces available room for kitchen items and appliances. Strategic space planning helps. Incorporate specialty pull-out cabinets and slide-out shelving to maximize every inch. Have a plan for where small appliances like the coffee maker, toaster and blender get stored between uses.

Consult experienced ADU Builders in San Diego early in the design process for expert layout advice. Pro tips help strike the right aesthetic-functional balance when incorporating open kitchen shelving. Careful planning prevents sacrificing utility purely for style.

Design Considerations

Just as gallery walls require careful curation, open shelves demand intentional styling. Mixing pieces of various heights, shapes and sizes prevents boring uniformity. Repeat colors from the overall kitchen design through accents likes towels or teapots. Incorporate everyday dishware for function along with a few special antique or handmade accent pieces solely for visual interest.

Limit upper open shelving to just a few functional pieces. Overloading the space appears cluttered rather than serene. Edit down to favorites you want to live with long term since changing things out later means handling everything multiple times.

Pay attention to shelf placement too. Locate them high enough to allow workspace underneath yet low enough for easy access.

Properly installed shelves flex slightly without feeling bouncy. Sturdy metal shelf brackets offer maximal strength and support. Wood shelves show nicks and scratches more over time than eco-friendly bamboo or easy-to-clean glass. Consider the shelf lives of various materials when deciding what works best for your lifestyle and budget.

Conclusion

The clean lines and casual refinement of open kitchen shelving sparks joy for many ADU owners. But that airy, elegant aesthetic gets weighed against functionality. Carefully evaluate must-have kitchen storage needs before eliminating upper cabinets entirely. Then craft a meticulous plan for pairing slimmed-down open shelves with other hidden storage solutions.