When one of the titles of their shows is called Don’t Hate Your House With the Property Brothers, you know that Jonathan and Drew Scott know what they’re talking about. When it comes to design, everything is a preference, so don’t take their word as gospel. But the Property Brothers stars certainly know a thing or two about making a house a home.
Having completed countless kitchen renovations, the Scott brothers know what works—and what doesn’t. And that also means there are things you most certainly should not include. In the kitchen, beware of open shelving at all costs. While open shelving may feel sleek and freeing, the Scotts warn there’s a method behind their madness. You may get the aesthetic you desire, but it’s not as clean and sleek as you assume it will remain.
Open Shelving Creates Minimal Storage
One of the many kitchen trends that have found their way into HGTV viewers’ homes is open shelving. A reason many homeowners have felt inclined to add it into their own home is it serves as a fancy way to display fancy dishware, antiques, cookbooks, and even tchotchkes one may have collected over the years. Now, even if they’re out in the open, the reality is they’ll just be collecting dust as you search for an actual, practical place to store your everyday dishware. According to the Scott brothers, it’s highly recommended to pump the brakes before removing your current cabinets and installing the open-air concept. The sad reality is, as beautiful as they may look, they don’t actually end up working. They serve as decoration rather than storage.
“You have to have upper cabinets, unless you have a huge abundance of storage in a pantry. But for families, for people in real life, anytime I’ve had a client who forced me to design a kitchen with no uppers, everyone has come back in six months saying they regret it,” Jonathan told Apartment Therapy. By opting out of built-in cabinets, you immediately lose essential storage. Now, imagine not having a pantry or a secondary storage space for your dishes. You might find yourself shoving them inside the oven!
“Home should make life easier. If you take the emotion out of it and think, ‘What would help me save five minutes?’ that’s how you get it,” Jonathan continued. With the kitchen serving as one of the most frequented areas in your home, thinking it might be swell to have an aesthetically pleasing display, it will ultimately hurt you in the long run. Especially if you go on to sell your property down the line. What may be preferred by you may not be desired by others. If you’re set on having a space to display, you can easily select a cabinetry set with glass doors that let you peek inside. That said, you must keep it organized at all times. That, in itself, can be a headache you’re unwilling to have.
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The Property Brothers Have Other Methods To Achieve The Desired Aesthetic
Now that you understand why to avoid open storage, Property Brothers have budget-friendly ways to make your kitchen cabinets look high-end. The first tip is to use standard cabinets. Sturdy and well-made cabinets will help your wallet in the long run. From there, scavenge for the right hardware. Perhaps you wanted to share your antiques on your now-defunct shelving, find antique knobs instead, and use them on your perfect cabinets. From there, play with color. The twins loathe all-white kitchens. “For the longest time, it’s been white cabinets in white kitchens. Lighter colors help bounce light around and feel cleaner and brighter,” Jonathan said. Using splashes of color may feel adventurous, but they can add some life to the kitchen. If you prefer a neutral color, you can easily add a colored backsplash as an alternative. Just avoid glass. Not only can it be a safety hazard if it’s installed improperly, it can also look dated and tacky.
Jonathan and Drew have had their hands full helping homeowners out of fatal decisions in their kitchens. Imagine an already cramped space with no storage, then add a peninsula. It’s a true kitchen nightmare. You can easily swap out the openness you want above and opt for an open kitchen layout. Not only does it free up necessary space, but it also brings the airiness you’re seeking. Not everything Jonathan and Drew do may be for you, but trust us here, take their advice on open shelving.
Property Brothers is available to stream on HBO Max.
- Release Date
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2011 – 2019
- Network
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HGTV
