Why Open Kitchen Shelving Works
In recent months, open kitchen shelving has faced an unfair share of criticism in design circles. Today, I am going to prove them all wrong.
The argument goes that open shelves are impractical, prone to dust, and overly styled for aesthetics rather than function. But as someone who has embraced open shelving in both our Waco home and our beach house in Ventura, I’m here to say that I love open shelving, and I think the benefits far outweigh the supposed drawbacks.
Why Open Kitchen Shelving Works
Let me tell you why open shelving works—and why the naysayers might just be missing out.
Function Meets Beauty
One of the main reasons I adore open shelving is how functional it is. In our homes, the kitchen isn’t just a place to cook; it’s a gathering spot, a workspace, and a place where form and function come together. Open shelves make life in the kitchen easier because everything you need is right there. Plates, bowls, glasses—they’re all within reach.
No more rummaging through cabinets to find one dish buried behind a stack of other items. Instead, open shelves offer the luxury of visibility. I know at a glance where everything is. This is particularly useful when hosting guests at our beach house. Newcomers always feel comfortable helping themselves because everything is in plain sight, eliminating the need to dig through cabinets.
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The Case Against the Dust Myth
The most common complaint is “Open shelves collect dust.” Open shelves are exposed, but this doesn’t mean they’re impractical. Think about it: how often do you use your everyday plates, bowls, and glasses? These items constantly rotate in our homes, meaning they don’t sit long enough to collect significant dust.
What about those less frequently used items? In my experience, the occasional quick wipe-down is a small price to pay for the accessibility and aesthetic benefits of open shelving. And let’s be honest: cabinets need cleaning, too. Dust and crumbs find their way inside no matter what.
Pro tip: Infrequently used pieces can be stored on higher shelves or covered in a simple fabric wrap or decorative cloche. Functional and pretty!
A Personalized Aesthetic
Open shelving is an opportunity to tell a story about who you are and how you live. Our Waco home has shelves filled with everyday dishes that double as decor. White plates, ball jars, and a few seasonal accents create a warm and inviting space that feels lived-in and loved.
At the beach house, the open shelves echo the breezy, relaxed vibe of coastal living. Stacks of seagrass baskets, glassware, and well-loved cookbooks are displayed alongside our go-to dinnerware. The result is a space that feels curated, not cluttered.
This personalization is something you don’t get with closed cabinets. Open shelves are a canvas for your style and a reflection of how you use your kitchen.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Another reason I’m such a fan of open shelving is its flexibility. I can rearrange the shelves in our homes whenever inspiration strikes or the seasons change. For fall, I might add copper accents and rustic pottery. During the holidays, I swap in festive mugs and plates. This adaptability keeps the kitchen feeling fresh and updated without a major overhaul.
With closed cabinets, this seasonal or thematic styling is much harder to achieve. You’re limited to what’s behind closed doors, which can feel static and uninspiring.
Perfect for Small Kitchens
Open shelving can be a game-changer in smaller kitchens, like our Waco home’s compact layout. Cabinets can make a small kitchen feel heavy and cramped, but open shelves create the illusion of more space. They allow the eye to travel freely, making the room feel larger and airier.
Additionally, open shelves force you to be intentional about what you keep in your kitchen. By displaying only the items you use and love, you avoid the clutter that closed cabinets can sometimes hide.
A Budget-Friendly Option
Let’s not overlook the financial aspect. Installing open shelving is often much more affordable than custom cabinetry. This makes it an excellent option for budget-conscious renovations. And just because it’s cost-effective doesn’t mean it’s less stylish. With the right materials—wood, metal brackets, or even repurposed boards—you can create a high-end look for a fraction of the cost.
We opted for white shelves securely attached to the wall in our beach house. The look is understated but chic, complementing the coastal vibe without breaking the bank. In Waco, I didn’t have the budget for upper shelving, so I used shelves with brackets.
How to Make Open Shelving Work for You
If you’re considering open shelving but feel hesitant, here are some tips to ensure it works for your lifestyle:
1. Keep it Minimal
Only display the items you use most frequently. This keeps the shelves functional and prevents visual clutter.
2. Choose Durable Materials
Invest in sturdy shelving and brackets that can handle the weight of your dishes and glassware.
3. Group by Color or Style
Create a cohesive look by grouping items by color or material. For example, all-white dishes or a glass and natural wood element mix.
4. Add Decorative Elements
Don’t be afraid to mix in a few decorative items, like a potted plant, a small piece of art, or a favorite cookbook. These touches add personality and warmth.
5. Embrace Imperfection
Remember, your kitchen is meant to be lived in. Open shelves don’t need to look like a magazine spread 24/7. The beauty of this style is its authenticity.
Reclaiming the Love for Open Shelves
Open kitchen shelving isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. However, the growing trend of dismissing it as impractical or outdated doesn’t do justice to the many ways it can transform a kitchen.
For those who love it, open shelving is about more than aesthetics. It’s about accessibility, personalization, and creating a warm and welcoming space.
Open shelves have become a defining feature in our Waco home and beach house. They make life easier, kitchens more beautiful, and meals more enjoyable. So, if you’re on the fence about open shelving, I encourage you to give it a chance. You might find that the dust myth—and the negativity—are overblown.
What’s your take on open shelving? Are you a fan, or do you prefer the look of traditional cabinets? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
This blog post highlights how open shelving can be functional, stylish, and perfectly suited to any kitchen. Addressing the criticisms head-on and sharing practical tips’ll inspire readers to rethink this trend with a fresh perspective!
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Leslie Saeta
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Form vs function for open shelving – Function is so much better with regular cabinets. Dishes get grease and grim on them. As for your glasses- the nature of glass is to incorporate any particle left on them too long. You’ll have permanently cloudy glasses.
Unless you want to constantly be running everything in the dishwasher on a regular basis, stick with upper cabinets with glass fronts. You’ll get almost the same effect.
I totally embrace open shelves for all the reasons you stated. I love the look, I love that it does not allow you to accumulate clutter, and I love the visibility/accessibility of the items.
The only thing I usually do not like are black brackets for shelves in an all white kitchen. My eye usually goes immediately to the brackets, And that look kind of cheapens the kitchen to me. I very much prefer the invisible brackets, or for small wooden corbels to be used. To me that gives a much cleaner look and allows your eye to go smoothly over the kitchen or to decorative items you might have added.
A floating shelf or two ok but no upper cabinets at all & just open shelves, no way. All I see when it’s allllll open shelving is that the builder / owner didn’t want to pay for cabinets.
Open shelving is definitely a personal preference. It can look nice (such as your photos show) but wouldn’t work for me in our large kitchen. We do have some glass-front upper cabinets that I “style” with no clutter, but the kitchen’s large enough for that to be easy. I agree it might be more suitable for a small kitchen. There’s a lovely home for sale on our street with a large kitchen with all open upper shelving…no cabinets. I’m convinced it’s likely one reason the house hasn’t sold after months on the market.
Luv the concept but have a retired hubs that would make a mess out of them, lol….
We remodeled our small kitchen last year and decided to add an open shelves for our everyday dishes/glassware. I’m so happy with the decision. I might add, that it’s only me and my husband, which I’m sure helps in keeping things tidy. I only have a set of 6 of dinner plate, salad bowl, water glass and coffee mug – the dishes/coffee mug are all white and then the green hue of the water glasses – so it all looks neat and cohesive. I have not regretted the decision for one minute.