Open shelves are all the rage, but they're an impractical nightmare for anyone who wants a tidy home

• Open shelving has become a popular home decor trend.
• But it ends up making your home look overwhelming and disorganized.
• If you're going to embrace open shelves, make sure you curate the items that you put on them.

One of my favorite ways to spend my free time is scrolling through Zillow and StreetEasy to ogle apartments.

I can't afford to rent most of the places I look at it, but it's still fun to daydream about the life I would lead in these spaces.

While I've admired countless dreamy apartments on these apps, I've also encountered my fair share of interior design choices that just aren't my style.

But for every rental designed with the same modern furniture or overused shiplap walls, the hottest take I've developed from my hours of scrolling is that open shelving, which has become uber-popular in recent years, has got to go.

I like the idea of statement storage, but I've found that it's just not made for real life.

Open shelves aren't as aesthetically pleasing as they're made out to be

On the cover of a magazine, open shelves look beautiful.

They're made to seem like a great way to display cute plates or artwork without having to hang things on the wall, and they can make a room more dynamic.

But in a real home, open shelves can easily end up looking chaotic, especially if the items put on them aren't curated.

Most people don't buy every item for their home with a specific decor style in mind, so it's unlikely every object you want to put on your shelves will match effortlessly.

If there's not a clear design aesthetic in mind, the items on your shelves may look like an afterthought.

Plus, if open shelves are your home's only or most spacious storage option, you'll likely have to put less-aesthetically pleasing items on them that aren't meant to be displayed, whether it's a toaster or cookie sheet.

As a result, open shelves can end up having a cubby-like effect that's more reminiscent of a grocery store aisle than a chic home.

They aren't built for the demands of real life

Open shelves can seem appealing because people could use items they already own as decor pieces, which initially sounds fun and economically friendly.

But it also requires people to keep their shelves looking tidy at all times, which can easily turn into a constant chore.

With open storage, you can't shove your storage containers onto a shelf haphazardly or leave your spices in disarray, which can be taxing for chronic draw-stuffers (like me).

People who are clean by nature can make open shelving work, but it's often challenging for those who aren't as orderly to maintain them.

Also, because they're not enclosed, items on open shelves are more vulnerable to collecting dust, which means more cleaning for you.

"Open shelving allows your dishes and glasses to become covered in cooking grease and dust," David Guth, an interior designer and the head of design at Studio DLG, previously told Insider.

The potential for dirt makes open shelving a less practical storage system, especially in a kitchen.

Of course, you could just wipe off your dishes and glasses before you use them, but having to do that every time you want a bowl of cereal sounds cumbersome and time-consuming.

It's better to opt for cabinets or use open shelves sparingly

Instead of leaning into fully exposed shelves, you can try replacing conventional cabinets with glass doors. They still create an airy feel - similar to open shelves - but they won't make the room feel as cluttered.

Likewise, you could make a statement by using one or two open shelves so they function as an accent without overwhelming the room.

If you do want to embrace open shelving, use the storage for stowing decorative plates, vases, or other trinkets you'd be happy to look at every day.

And if you're looking for more ways to creatively store items, you can display things above your cabinets. It creates a similar effect as an open shelf while emphasizing the height of the room - but you don't have to commit to the design choice.

You should decorate your home according to your personal style, but if you're an avid Zillow-scroller like I am, remember that your life will probably be a lot messier than the expertly staged photos on your phone screen.