At Casa y Deco, we love to debate those dilemmas that seem simple but truly define the character of a living room. And if there’s one decision that generates conflicting opinions, it’s that of open shelves versus closed cabinets. In a Nordic style, where every element must justify its presence, this choice becomes even more important. Today, we’re going to help you find the answer that best suits your space, your way of living, and your decorative goals.
The first thing we must acknowledge is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every living room is different, every family has distinct needs, and, honestly, our personal preferences play an important role in this decision. What works perfectly in one person’s living room may be a disaster in another’s. But what we can do is analyse the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed and conscious decision.
Open Shelves: The Seductive Side of Minimalism
Open shelves are the darling of modern interior design, especially in Nordic style. They convey lightness, airiness, and that sense of space we all seek. Visually, they don’t weigh down the room: your books, decorative objects, and plants float against the wall without enclosing the environment, which is especially valuable in small or medium spaces.
From a practical standpoint, they offer total accessibility. Your most-read books, your mugs, your favourite ornaments are right there, at hand, without the need to open doors or adjust hinges. Moreover, if you have items that deserve to be seen—think of those art books, a collection of Nordic ceramics, or hanging plants—open shelves put them on display. They are a visual statement of who you are and what interests you.
The cost is also more favourable: an open shelf made of light wood or metal is generally cheaper than a quality closed cabinet. And installation is straightforward: few surprises, fewer complications with locks or closing systems.
The Real Challenge: Keeping Order
But here comes the uncomfortable truth that no one wants to admit at first. Open shelves require constant decorative discipline. You can’t just close the door and forget what’s inside. Every object must be in its place, every book must be neatly aligned, every element must contribute to the visual composition.
I trust that many of you will understand this feeling: the first or second month of having open shelves is wonderful. Then the unforeseen events arrive: you accumulate magazines, leave a coffee cup on the shelf, stack books temporarily that end up staying there forever. Suddenly, what was minimalist starts to look chaotic. If you live with others, the maintenance multiplies because not everyone shares the same vision of what ‘order’ is.
Additionally, open shelves accumulate visible dust. It’s inevitable. Books, frames, plants... everything gathers dust and requires regular cleaning. In a Nordic climate, where humidity changes already affect furniture, this is a factor to consider.
Closed Cabinets: The Freedom of Controlled Chaos
Let’s move to the other side of the scale. Closed cabinets offer something that open shelves can never provide: the ability to live without constantly performing your decor. Close the door and you can have whatever you want inside, however you want it. There’s no judgement, no need for it to be perfectly visual.
This is enormously liberating, especially if you’re someone who accumulates things or if you have varied interests that don’t fit into a perfect aesthetic. Your collections, your knick-knacks, your messy reading habits: everything fits inside without affecting the overall vision of the space.
A closed cabinet also keeps dust out, meaning less maintenance and better preservation of what you store. Books last longer, objects are better preserved, and your cleaning effort is significantly reduced. In a Nordic style living room, where natural light is abundant, a light or dark wood cabinet integrates as just another piece of furniture without monopolising visual attention.
The Visual Weight and Sense of Space
Now, closed cabinets have their own visual complication. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet is a volumetric piece of furniture that makes a statement, especially in small living rooms. Even if it’s made of light wood in the Nordic style, it occupies visual space and can make a living room feel more cluttered if there are already other large pieces of furniture.
However, this isn’t necessarily a problem. In fact, if you approach it correctly, you can play with it. A closed cabinet acts as an anchor in the composition of the living room. It distributes visual weight, creates zones, and can function as a dividing wall in open spaces. Sometimes, I confess that a good cabinet has saved my living room because it provides the balance that was missing against a large sofa or a bulky television area.
What Does Nordic Style Say About This?
The authentic Nordic style is not rigid about either option. The Nordic philosophy seeks functionality, clarity, and beauty in the everyday. If open shelves work in your daily life without stressing your mind, go ahead. If you prefer the mental tranquillity of a closed cabinet, that is equally valid.
What matters in Nordic style is the quality of materials and the honesty of form. Whether you’re using shelves or cabinets, they should be made of good quality wood, neutral colours (whites, greys, blacks, natural wood), and a clean design without unnecessary ornamentation. The finish must be impeccable, because both a shelf and a cabinet in Nordic style are immediately noticeable if they are neglected.
The Mixed Solution: The Best of Both Worlds
If you still can’t decide, there’s an option we’ve seen work very well in many living rooms: combining both systems on the same wall or in different spaces. For example, open shelves on top to display beautiful books and decorative objects that you change frequently, and a closed cabinet underneath to store what you want to keep out of sight.
You can also choose open shelves only on an accent wall, while the other walls have closed storage. Or place shelves around elements like a television (which is inherently visual) and leave closed cabinets in the side areas. Versatility is your ally here.
Practical Questions to Help You Decide
Before making your investment, ask yourself these questions. How much time would you dedicate to keeping the shelves tidy and clean each week? If your answer is honestly ‘little’ or ‘with effort’, perhaps cabinets are more realistic. Do you live with people who share your sense of order or is chaos guaranteed? Do you have items that you really want to display and that deserve to be shown, or is it more like ‘I have things I need to store’?
Another factor: how much natural light enters your living room? If it’s abundant, open shelves benefit enormously and look radiant. If your living room is darker, closed cabinets may make it feel even more claustrophobic, while shelves allow light to circulate and bounce off the objects.
Finally, imagine your living room in five years. Do you think you will still maintain the visual discipline of open shelves, or would you prefer a more relaxed solution? The best option is the one you can maintain consistently, because a beautiful but chaotic living room generates stress, while one that reflects how you truly live generates peace.
At Casa y Deco, we believe that decoration should serve your life, not the other way around. Whether with open shelves that shine with minimalism or closed cabinets that keep your secrets, what matters is that the choice is yours and that you enjoy the result. Both have a place in Nordic style, and both can look extraordinary if executed with care, quality, and a bit of honesty about how you really live.
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