The Downsides Of Having Open Shelving In Your Living Room

Are you an open shelving fan, or do you prefer more hidden storage for your rooms? It seems that while there are plenty of open shelving trends you'll want in your kitchen, keeping open shelving in your living room isn't all that stylish or ideal. Due in part to the cleaning element (they do collect a lot of dust) and in part to the clutter they can pull in, open shelves might be a drawback to your busier living or family room, taking away from the finished aesthetic rather than enhancing it. However, there are lots of alternatives that still offer storage while leaving the space more tidy.

Even some design experts have noted that ample open shelving doesn't belong in the living room, as it could contribute to visual clutter in an already busy and high traffic room. For example, unless you are displaying very minimal pieces, loading your shelves with multiple frames, ornaments, candles, and other decor can make them seem heavy. Designers stress the importance of being very particular with how you fill open shelves, so that they come off as curated rather than cluttered. Unless you can add to these sparingly, it might be ideal to keep consoles, entertainment systems, and bookshelves that are meant to hold more items.

It's not just clutter though. You also need to be aware that open shelving can attract a lot of dust and dirt, which means you will be cleaning them more often than you would closed cabinetry or shelves. While this might not be the biggest deterrent, it can mean moving precious or fragile items more often than not, which could also result in breaking or damaging them. The more dust that gathers, the more it will also be picked up and blown around in your living room, which could affect the air quality, too. Lastly, adding too many open shelves to your walls could take away vertical space for other pieces like artwork, which can really help pull it together more than the shelves.

If you're thinking about swapping out your open shelves, there are many decorative options that will provide extra storage while also leaving your living room more aesthetically pleasing. Consoles are great options for helping hide items that could otherwise fill surfaces and give off a cluttered vibe. Long TV consoles with multiple cabinets are a good way to also provide one level where you can add decor. Bookshelves are another ideal way to display the pieces you want, and there are so many creative ways to decorate a bookshelf for optimum style. If you like the idea of open shelving without the hassle of constant cleaning, consider a cabinet with glass so that the interior is still visible when you arrange the items inside. Frosted glass could be a good solution, too, as it creates the airy vibe of an open shelf, but still hides any clutter to leave the room with a meet and stylish finish.