To Shelf or Not to Shelf in the Kitchen

Remodeling kitchens can add a lot of value to one's home, and one major decision to make is whether or not to go with top cabinets or trendy open shelves. 

"Taking out the top kitchen cabinets is a very popular design trend because it makes the space feel more open and expansive," explains Megan Lewis, a building expert with Lowe's. She adds that this can also be a good way to cut costs, "Homeowners can save up to $1,000, both in terms of doing your own installation and by not purchasing cabinets from a retailer." Realtor.com points out that going the open-shelving route can be an opportune moment for homeowners to slim down their inventory of kitchenware.

Are you a "Konvert," aka a devotee of Marie Kondo's minimalist tidying methods? Adhering to Kondo-level neatness is pretty much required with open shelving to keep them looking presentable. "Very few people are extremely tidy, and these shelves need an organized approach to stacking and storing dishes," points out Liz Toombs, an interior decorator and owner of PDR Interiors, in Lexington, KY. If the items don't match or coordinate with one another, they'll look messy.

Read more