Solid, dark cabinets and bulky units can visually dominate a room. They store a lot, yes, but they also create a sense of weight. In smaller spaces, too many solid surfaces make you feel like the walls are closing in.
See-through shelves or glass-front units lighten that effect. Because you can see through parts of them, your eye continues beyond, so the room doesn’t look cut off. Glass doors on a cabinet still protect things from dust but don’t add visual bulk.
Open metal or wooden frames with minimal lines also help. They hold your books, decor, or dishes without shouting for attention. You still get storage, but the furniture feels like part of the air, not a wall.
It’s a subtle design choice that makes a big difference in tight apartments.
