Pros and Cons of Open Storage Systems

Open storage systems – one of the trends in modern design. Kitchen wall cabinets are willingly replaced with shelves, wardrobes are exposed for all to see, and shelving units refuse doors. But is there any point in that? Let's find out with the help of experts.

Advantages of Open Storage Systems

1. Everything at Hand

The undeniable advantage of open storage is that everything needed is visible and within reach. You won't have to open a mass of drawers or go through all the contents of cabinets to find the item you need.

2. Visually Lightened Design

The absence of bulky wall cabinets and their replacement with neat open shelves is a good way to visually lighten the design. The key is to plan neat storage and keep things tidy.

3. Quick Changes

If the decorative compositions on open shelves start to bore you, changing them for new ones to refresh your interior is easy.

Design by Nadia Kapper

4. Decorative Element

Many open shelves and racks, in addition to their functional purpose, also serve as a decorative element, becoming a bright design feature in themselves.

5. Shelf Contents as a Bold Accent

Another advantage of open storage is the ability to make the contents of shelves and racks an integral part of the décor, a vibrant accent in the interior.

6. Coziness and Mood

Open shelves allow you to place items dear to your heart, indoor plants, mini collections, family photos, and other small things that set the mood and create a cozy atmosphere.

Design by DAO decor

Disadvantages of Open Storage Systems

1. Need for Careful Organization

In an open storage system, everything is literally in view. To avoid the feeling of chaos and disorder, it's necessary to carefully maintain neat storage.

2. Importance of Regular Cleaning

Open shelves and their contents are quite the «dust collector», which means regular cleaning is necessary, requiring time and effort.

3. Costs of Additional Accessories

In most cases, setting up an open storage system requires purchasing additional accessories: baskets, boxes, trinket boxes, decorative items. Thus, creating stylish compositions on open shelves can result in significant expenses.

4. Visual Noise

If the open storage system is quite large and the room itself is not particularly spacious, you might end up with a visual clutter effect rather than a visually lightened space.

What Do Interior Designers Think About Open Storage Systems?

To explore the topic in more detail, we asked professionals for their opinion on using open shelves, cabinets, and racks in interior design.

Inga Azgiray: «Decor on Shelves Should Be Carefully Selected»

Inga Azgiray is an interior designer and artist. Currently, she works in private practice. Her work favors modern classicism with bold color accents and loves unusual items in interiors.

Ask yourself: Are you ready to maintain the beauty and tidiness of an open storage system? If not, it's best to limit the number of open shelves. Otherwise, a shelf may turn into a storage place for everything in the world, from a bunch of beads to hundreds of tiny porcelain dogs. It's important to understand that the decor on such shelves must be carefully chosen and not too small. The optimal size is about a small pumpkin.

Ruslan Kirnichansky: «An Overabundance of Items on Open Shelves Will Turn the Room into a Large Wardrobe»

An open storage system is ideal if it's a stylish rack with a collection of memorabilia or decorative items. But if we're talking about open storage for everyday items, the situation changes dramatically. An overabundance of small items and things in an open shelf visually turns a living room into a large wardrobe.

It's acceptable to use open storage for items temporarily, but not only for the above reason. Clothes and shoes require delicate storage and reduced dust in the air, so it's better to store them in closed cabinets or a wardrobe room where there is less dust than in living spaces.