Let’s talk open shelving

One of the design trends that’s been keeping me up at night (almost not joking!) has been the rise of open shelves in kitchen design. Those long wooden accents above the counter top look so good on all these interior designers’ Instragram accounts and Pinterest AI-generated images. At first glance, these shelves appear sleek, modern, minimalistic, giving an airy feeling to the kitchen. But in reality, they often come with more downsides than benefits. Are they really practical for everyday use? Let's break down the pros and cons of this trend to help you decide if this is the right idea for your kitchen.

Open shelves in a project done by Atelier Devergne

Pros: 

Aesthetic Appeal: Open shelves can give your kitchen a bright, airy feel. It’s a great way to showcase your favorite kitchen decor, from your favorite dishes to cookbooks and plants.

Easy Access: No more fumbling through cabinet doors! Open shelving allows you to quickly grab frequently-used items, especially in small kitchens where space is limited.

Budget-Friendly: Opting for open shelving over traditional cabinetry can save money, making it a great choice if you're renovating on a budget.

Creates Space: In smaller kitchens, removing upper cabinets in favor of open shelving can make the room feel larger and less cluttered.

Design by Hayley Decor

Cons:

Dust and Grease Accumulation: The main downside of open shelving is how quickly dust and grease can collect, especially in a kitchen. If your shelves are close to the stove, frequent cleaning will be necessary to keep your items looking fresh and ready to use and eat in.

Cluttered Look: Without careful organization, open shelves can look messy. Unlike closed cabinets, everything is on display, so you’ll need to maintain order to avoid a cluttered feel.

Limited Storage: Open shelving may not offer enough storage space for larger kitchens or households with many items. If you need a lot of storage, closed cabinets might be a better option.

Practicality Issues: If you’re not using all of your kitchen ware often, and don’t want to clean them regularly, I’d say open shelving can be more of a hassle than a benefit.

Best Use Cases

At Stella Studio, I can recommend open shelving for small kitchens or studio apartments where the dishes displayed will be used and cleaned on a daily basis. This minimizes the dust problem while maximizing space. Another time I would recommend them is if you want to use open shelves mainly for decorative purposes, they're an excellent way to add a touch of style and warmth to your kitchen without worrying about constant cleaning.

Personally, I’ve added wooden shelves on the side of my kitchen for decor items like recipe books, small plants, or curated pieces, but my kitchenware is behind closed doors (glass doors to showcase how pretty they are, but closed doors nonetheless). You'll find a detailed explanation of my kitchen design right here.

For larger kitchens, incorporating a mix of closed cabinets and some open shelving can provide the best of both worlds—functional storage and aesthetic appeal.

My take

While open shelving can create a beautiful, minimalist look, it's not the right fit for every kitchen. If you're willing to maintain it or have a small space that requires easy access, it can work wonders. But for most, traditional cabinets offer a more practical and low-maintenance solution.

If you’re still unsure on which way to go for your kitchen renovations in Geneva, Stella Studio can help you strike the perfect balance between style and functionality. Get in touch to find out how we can transform your kitchen into a space that’s both beautiful and practical for your lifestyle.

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