I recently renovated my kitchen: new floor, walls, stove, refrigerator - and I discarded all the cabinets. I replaced only the one that holds up the sink. I have shelves instead, pine 1×12s. I like them so much better than the cabinets: it's easier to see what's on them, they have access from the side, there are no doors to open or bang my head into (I'm getting old.) I had to do some renovations decided to do all. But I want to sell and move somewhere better. So I wonder if replacing the shelves with cabinets after I leave will profit in the sales price.
Do you like cabinets? Why? The only purpose they serve to me is hiding what's in them.

I can think of a few reasons:

1. It has a tidier / cleaner look

2. Handy for keeping pets & other wildlife out (eg insects), especially if the next person may be storing (dry) food in there.

3. Keeps the dust out - important for eating/cooking utensils/crockery etc


In practical terms, I'd ask your local Real Estate agent(s). I suspect they'll recommend cabinets, unless there's a new 'bare' aesthetic doing the rounds ..

I need cabinets because I have cats.

Doing the same for my wife.

Right now. Re furbishing a 1950's Kitchen sink holder.
Then on refurbishing the drawer metal floor cabinets that hold silverware and towels.
Then on to lazy susan for the spice racks and such.
Then on to cutting metal doors on metal wall cabinets and inset glass so she can see the dishes .

All the above needs rust removed, re primered. repainting. Attaching new hinges and plastic keepers.

I don't know or question why.
I just do it cuz I love her.
It don't hurt to have in our dusty climate also.

Old kitchen was large butcher block for the sink. Roll on base tool boxes for the drawers.
Glasses and plates sat in a expanded metal roller display stand. 8 feet tall

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/14...hold-Multi.jpg

I was surprised she put up with my 1st fix for so long. Old sink parts now are in my shop as toolboxes and workbenches.
The stand is parts holder.

Over the years, all the kitchens I've had have had cabinets because, frankly. they came that way.

I would second two of chrism01's reasons: Keeping foodstuffs and table- and cookware secure from dust and from insects and other varmints.

My take would be that the appearance issue is strictly a matter of taste. After thinking about it, methinks I'd prefer cabinets and reserve open shelves for the pantry, but that's just me.

Pets out maybe, but not insects. I've never seen one that sealed well enough to keep out ants or roaches. And they're easier to see on shelves, easier to clean. Since I've renovated my whole home, new floors everywhere, I've sealed it up and no longer have them.

Dust? You guys don't cook often enough.

Oh, my. I must admit that I was thinking more of flying insects.

I haven't seen a roach in years (though, I must admit, in my freshman dorm, back when I was a young 'un, we had roaches that could have made the football team).

For ants, two words: ant traps. Ants are suckers for ant traps.

Here in the Land Downunder, 'insects' can be quite impressive sizes
In any case, every little helps with those critters ...

I also thought of another; for low cupboards, it's easy to catch yourself on the handle of eg a saucepan if you are passing by or working on the surface above, especially if wearing loose clothing .

Born in 1950, we always had cupboards, mainly free standing, but they served their purpose, kept things clean & tidy.

Shelves are handy in a shed; keep things clean & tidy in the kitchen.

I expect it would increase the value if for no other reason that it is expected that most kitchens have cabinets. I would suggest you contact a friend/acquaintance in your area who is in the real estate industry to get a more accurate opinion. The cost of replacing your shelves with cabinets may be more than the profit you would get from making the change.

I deal with ants by squashing them on the floor and leaving the bodies there. It looks messy, but the others can smell them and they seem to take the hint.

You might look at mounting a dish drying cupboard, as they are called, above the sink. Those make washing and drying highly efficient and reduce the amount of counter space wasted by going vertical instead of sprawling horizontally. It also keeps the drying dishes out of sight until they are ether put away or reused. Ikea has them but you can get better ones elsewhere. It's basically having the right shaped racks inside a cupboard with no floor and lined with moisture-proof materials.

Hooray!

Years go by between those getting in.

As I wrote, since I renovated the floors and baseboards I haven't seen any. Back when I did, I sprayed them with home-made cleaner, wiped them up, which wiped away their scent trails, got everything extra clean. They don't mind the smell of dead ants. They pile them up for later use. In a famous experiment E. O. Wilson painted the chemical (oleic acid?) of dead ants on live ones. The others would pick her and put her on the dead pile until it wore off.


I live in the desert so they're not serious.

I keep things neat and tidy on shelves. I rarely knew what was going on in the back of the cabinet - it took too much effort to look. Cabinets hide what's in them.

Every article I have read about improvements is that almost all of them don't pay off. If people expect cabinets though... When I moved in the cabinets were the worst: chipboard that had been painted over numerous times. I like the look of shelves, the convenience. The room seems to be larger. Also I'm getting old and forgetting where I've put things.

I must admit to having some discomfort when having to get stuff out from the back of the floor cupboards, but they hold things not needed regularly - I suppose it's down to age, (I'm 72).

I must admit to having some discomfort when having to get stuff out from the back of the floor cupboards, but they hold things not needed regularly - I suppose it's down to our ages.