10 Things You Should Never Store on Open Shelves

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Displaying your favorite decor items, plants, and books on open shelves can be a great idea, but not everything should be placed there. Some items are best kept hidden behind closed doors, either for aesthetic reasons or just for practicality, as they can turn your Pinterest worthy shelving into a cluttered, dusty mess very quickly.

Let’s take a look at a few things that are better left off your open shelves in order to prevent unnecessary chaos in your living space.

Paperwork

Stacking papers on an open shelf is a sure way to get your documents in a mess. Not only do they collect dust at a lightning speed, but they add a cluttered eyesore to your living room. Paperwork, whether it’s bills, receipts, or something else, should be organized in a drawer or filing system. Visual appeal is the name of the game with open shelves, and let me tell you, a pile of papers isn’t exactly appealing.

Spices

You certainly could keep your spices out in the open for convenience, but it’s better for them to be out of sight in a cabinet. They lose their flavor much quicker when exposed to light, air, and humidity. Tiny spice jars will clutter your shelves fast. Keep your seasoning away from sight, but close enough to reach when you’re whipping up that next culinary masterpiece.

Toiletries

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While it may be convenient to store toiletries like shampoo, lotion, or deodorant on open shelves in your bathroom, it can become very messy, very quickly. These things tend to get knocked over easily and if they leak or spill, you have a sticky disaster on your hands. They can also attract dust and grime, not something you want on items you use every day.

Food Items

A shelf full of jars of pickles and other food — Photo Credit: Pexels

Food is best kept in cabinets or the pantry unless you’re going for that general store vibe. Having food out in open shelving exposes it to light and temperature fluctuations that will spoil food faster. It also lures unwanted pests, such as ants, or even mice. Also, boxes and bags of food aren’t the most beautiful things to have sitting in front of you every day.

Electronics

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It may be tempting to store small gadgets or electronics like remotes, chargers, or headphones on open shelves, but it’s not the best idea. These are items that dust loves to settle on, and after awhile, they can interfere with their function. There’s also the problem of tangled cords and random tech bits that can turn an open shelf into a tech junkyard.

Fragile Items

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If living in an earthquake prone area or with kids running around, anything delicate or breakable should be kept off open shelves. It can be one accidental nudge that will bring your cherished porcelain figurine or glass vase down. Store fragile items safely on a sturdy, out of the way surface.

Medications

While open shelving may seem like a good idea for keeping medications within arm’s reach, it’s not the best place. Some medications degrade faster when they’re directly exposed to light and moisture so they’re less effective. It’s also not the safest idea if you have kids or guests who might get curious. There’s a reason medicine cabinets exist—use them!

Clothing

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If you’re not using open shelving for carefully curated decor, storing clothes on them is a no go. Clothes on open shelves look messy and they soon get full of dust. Who wants to pick up their favorite sweater only to find it covered in a layer of lint? Keep your clothes in closets or drawers, where they will stay neat and fresh.

Cleaning Supplies

You may find it convenient to leave your cleaning supplies out where you can easily get to them, but you’re better off keeping them in a closed cabinet. The bottles and sprays themselves can look cluttered and the chemicals inside them can be dangerous if left exposed to heat or sunlight for too long. You also don’t want cleaning supplies out in the open if you have young kids or pets.

Towels

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There is nothing wrong with open shelving, sure, but it looks good with freshly folded towels for approximately five minutes. Then dust starts to settle, and if they’re in a bathroom they will absorb moisture from the air. As a result, they’re not as fresh when you really need them. Store towels in a closed cabinet so they stay clean and fluffy until you’re ready for them.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.