Robert M. Luckey 
When it comes to stylish storage, few systems compete with open shelving. These minimalist units have dominated the kitchens of Instagram and some of our favorite designers in recent months – but what does the future hold?
Despite their aesthetic appeal, some experts warn that the days of the open shelving trend could be numbered. Home experts are divided in their opinions on this stylish storage idea Will this kitchen staple keep its appeal or are we going to move towards a new storage solution?
Are open shelves outdated in 2022?
(Image credit: String Furniture)
Whether it’s open shelves in the kitchen with glass storage jars or a color-coded recipe shelf, open shelves seem to be everywhere right now. However, while it might sound awesome, an interior designer Dan Wiener, who is an expert on storage, cautions that units don’t always work in real life.
“Your dishes are exposed, which makes them greasy and dusty. You will constantly clean whatever is on the shelves, ”he explains.
He also warns that although this modern kitchen idea looks good, you may lose storage capacity after making the change. ‘[This will take away] the overall aesthetic of your kitchen, ”he says.
(Image credit: String Furniture)
Open shelves are here to stay
Despite Dan’s reservations against the popular storage system, Bo Hellberg, Marketing Director of String furniture, argues that open shelves get nowhere. According to Bo, the interior design trend goes hand in hand with the trend of functional walls – which firmly brought the trend in 2022.
“Right now, we’re noticing a trend for large-scale display walls,” Bo says. He suggests that open shelving allows you to recreate this trend with a functional touch.
“When designing our homes, we often overlook the efficiency of simply merging storage with the interior design scheme, and String’s design flexibility allows us to merge function with decoration,” says. he.
(Image credit: James Merrell)
String co-owner and director Peter Erlandsson adds that an open shelving capacity to showcase your personality will keep the trend going.
“We celebrate individual journeys and believe that we should all be proud of the items we have collected throughout our lives,” he explains. “Whether it’s a collection of specific items like crockery or crystal, or just sentimental items, breathe new life into your mess,” adds Peter.
While the trend may not be the easiest to follow, this Scandinavian kitchen design is one of the best ways to personalize your home. It might not always be practical, but we feel like we haven’t seen the end of the beautifully organized kitchen shelves.
