Make the right storage choice for your kitchen by considering these essential questions about open shelves and cabinets.
Introduction
I’ll never forget standing in my empty kitchen during our renovation, staring at the space where our upper cabinets used to be. My husband wanted to replace them with open shelves, while I worried about dust and clutter. We spent hours discussing the pros and cons of each option.
If you are facing a similar decision about open shelves and cabinets, these questions will help guide your choice. They will help you think through what really matters for your lifestyle, your kitchen habits, and the atmosphere you want to create.
Important Considerations for Your Kitchen
1. How Often Do You Actually Use Your Dishes?
Think about the items you reach for every single day versus those that only come out for special occasions. Open shelves work beautifully for frequently used dishes, glasses, and bowls because they make these items easily accessible. Cabinets are better for storing holiday platters, special occasion glassware, and items you use only a few times a year.
If you find yourself constantly opening cabinet doors for the same few items, those might be perfect candidates for open shelf storage. The convenience of grabbing your everyday mug or plate without opening a door can make morning routines smoother.
- Perfect for open shelves:
- Everyday dinner plates and bowls
- Daily use coffee mugs
- Frequently used drinking glasses
- Often-used mixing bowls
- Better in cabinets:
- Holiday dinnerware sets
- Fine china and crystal
- Seasonal serving platters
- Special occasion items
Pro Tip: For one week, pay attention to which items you use daily. This simple observation will give you a clear picture of what belongs on open shelves versus what should stay behind cabinet doors.
2. How Much Time Do You Want to Spend Cleaning?
Consider your tolerance for dusting and wiping down items. Open shelves require regular maintenance because dust settles on everything. If you have a busy lifestyle or prefer low-maintenance cleaning routines, cabinets might be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, if you enjoy the ritual of weekly dusting and don’t mind giving your dishes a quick rinse before using them, open shelves could work well. The key is being honest about your cleaning habits and preferences.
- Open shelf maintenance:
- Weekly dusting of shelves and items
- Occasional washing of little-used dishes
- Regular wiping of shelf surfaces
- More frequent cleaning in general
- Cabinet maintenance:
- Occasional exterior wiping
- Seasonal interior cleaning
- Less frequent dish washing
- Lower overall maintenance
The easy way: Start with just one or two open shelves rather than converting your whole kitchen. This lets you test the maintenance requirements before fully committing.
3. What’s Your Kitchen’s Natural Light Situation?
Look at how much natural light your kitchen receives throughout the day. Open shelves can help distribute light and make a dark kitchen feel brighter and more open. The reflective surfaces of dishes and glassware can bounce light around the room.
If your kitchen already feels bright and airy, you might prefer the clean, uncluttered look of cabinets. But if you are working with limited natural light, open shelves could help maximize what you have.
- Open shelves work well in:
- Kitchens with limited windows
- Small spaces that need to feel larger
- Rooms with low ceilings
- Dark corners that need brightening
- Cabinets might be better in:
- Very sunny rooms where glare is an issue
- Already spacious kitchens
- Rooms with plenty of natural light
- Spaces where you prefer defined areas
Quick Fix: If you choose open shelves in a dark kitchen, add LED strip lighting underneath them. This provides both task lighting and ambient glow that makes your dishes look beautiful.
4. How Do You Feel About Visual Clutter?
Be honest about your tolerance for seeing your kitchen items all the time. Some people find the display of dishes and cookware warm and inviting, while others feel it looks messy or overwhelming. Your personality and design preferences play a big role here.
If you are someone who likes everything tucked away and feels stressed by visual noise, cabinets will likely make you happier. But if you enjoy seeing your beautiful dishes and find comfort in visible organization, open shelves could be perfect.
- Signs you might prefer cabinets:
- You like clean, minimal surfaces
- Visual clutter makes you anxious
- You prefer hidden organization
- You have many mismatched items
- Signs you might prefer open shelves:
- You enjoy displaying collections
- You like seeing your favorite items
- You find visible organization comforting
- You have beautiful, coordinated dishware
Action Step: Take a photo of your current kitchen counters. If they tend to accumulate items and look cluttered to you, you might be happier with cabinets than open shelves.
5. What’s Your Cooking Style?
Consider how you use your kitchen on a daily basis. If you are an enthusiastic cook who uses lots of spices, oils, and tools while cooking, open shelves can make these items easily accessible during meal preparation. But if you prefer a more contained cooking style, cabinets might work better.
Think about splatter and grease too. Areas near your stove might be better suited to cabinets that can protect items from cooking residue, while shelves further away could work for less vulnerable items.
- For active cooks:
- Open shelves for frequently used spices
- Easy access to cooking oils and vinegars
- Visible storage for favorite utensils
- Quick-grab areas for measuring tools
- For neat cooks:
- Cabinets to protect from splatter
- Contained storage for clean appearance
- Protection from cooking odors
- Less frequent cleaning needed
| Cooking Style | Shelf Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent Baker | Open shelves for mixing bowls | Easy access during preparation |
| Quick Meal Cook | Cabinets near stove | Protection from grease |
| Entertainer | Mixed approach | Beautiful display with hidden storage |
| Minimal Cook | Either option | Less impact from cooking residue |
6. Do You Have Young Children or Pets?
Think about the safety and practicality of your storage in relation to your household members. Open shelves within reach of small children or curious pets can lead to broken dishes or safety concerns. Cabinets with childproof locks might be necessary in some situations.
However, you could use higher open shelves for display and keep lower areas as cabinets. This mixed approach gives you the best of both worlds safety below and beauty above.
- Family-friendly solutions:
- Lower cabinets with safety locks
- Higher open shelves for display
- Durable materials at child level
- Unbreakable items on lower shelves
- Pet considerations:
- Secure storage for food items
- Protected areas for breakables
- Elevated shelves for safety
- Consider pet access and curiosity
Safety Note: If you have young children, avoid placing heavy items on open shelves where little hands might pull them down. Always secure furniture to walls and choose shatter-resistant materials when possible.
7. What’s Your Home’s Architectural Style?
Consider how open shelves or cabinets will fit with your home’s overall design. Modern and farmhouse kitchens often embrace open shelving, while traditional homes might look better with classic cabinets. Your storage choice should complement your home’s architecture rather than fight against it.
That said, mixing styles can create interesting contrast. The key is making intentional choices that feel cohesive rather than accidental.
- Traditional homes:
- Classic cabinet styles
- Glass-front cabinets for display
- Ornate details and moldings
- Rich wood tones
- Modern homes:
- Flat-panel cabinets
- Floating open shelves
- Minimal hardware
- Mixed materials
- Farmhouse styles:
- Open wood shelves
- Shaker-style cabinets
- Mixed open and closed storage
- Natural materials
Design Insight: You do not have to match your kitchen to your home’s exact era. Instead, choose elements that respect the architecture while reflecting your personal style.
8. What’s Your Budget for Kitchen Storage?
Consider the costs associated with each option. Open shelves can be less expensive to install than custom cabinets, but they might require you to purchase new dishware if your current items are not display-worthy. Cabinets represent a larger initial investment but can last for decades.
Remember to factor in the cost of organization systems too. Beautiful baskets and containers for open shelves can add up, while cabinet organizers represent an additional expense.
- Open shelf costs:
- Shelf materials and installation
- Display-worthy dishware
- Organization baskets and containers
- Potential lighting additions
- Cabinet costs:
- Cabinet boxes and doors
- Hardware and hinges
- Professional installation
- Interior organizers
Budget Tip: You can create open shelves using brackets from a hardware store and wood from a lumber yard. This DIY approach can be significantly less expensive than custom cabinets.
9. Are You Planning to Sell Your Home Soon?
Think about resale value if you might move in the next few years. While open shelves are popular in design magazines, they are not everyone’s preference. Potential buyers might see them as a negative if they prefer traditional cabinets.
A mixed approach often appeals to the widest range of buyers. You get the style you want now while maintaining broad appeal for future sales.
- For maximum resale value:
- Mixed open and closed storage
- Quality materials and installation
- Neutral color schemes
- Flexible storage solutions
- Personal preference choices:
- Bold color open shelves
- Very specific style choices
- Unconventional arrangements
- Highly personal displays
Real Estate Insight: Most realtors recommend keeping at least some closed storage in kitchens. Buyers want to see where they can hide less attractive items and small appliances.
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing between open shelves and cabinets involves balancing practical concerns with personal style. Here is how to make sure you are happy with your choice long-term.
Consider a Mixed Approach
You do not have to choose one or the other exclusively. Many kitchens benefit from having both open shelves and cabinets. Use open shelves for your most beautiful, frequently used items and cabinets for everything else.
Think About Long-Term Satisfaction
Consider how you will feel about your choice in five years. Trends come and go, but your daily experience in your kitchen remains constant. Choose what will make you happy to walk into your kitchen every day.
Plan for Flexibility
If you are unsure, design your kitchen so you can change your mind later. Install shelves that could be replaced with cabinets, or choose cabinet styles that could accept doors later if desired.
Key Takeaways
- Your daily habits and cleaning preferences should guide your choice
- Consider both current and future household needs
- Natural light and kitchen size affect how storage will feel
- Mixed approaches often work better than all-one-style
- Your personal comfort with visual organization matters most
- The right choice balances beauty with practical everyday living
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both open shelves and cabinets in my kitchen?
Absolutely. This mixed approach is very popular and practical. Use open shelves for display and frequently used items, and cabinets for less attractive necessities.
Are open shelves less expensive than cabinets?
They can be, especially if you choose simple materials and DIY installation. However, costs can vary widely depending on materials and whether you need to buy new dishware.
How do I make open shelves look organized?
Use consistent color schemes, group similar items together, and leave plenty of empty space. Baskets and containers can help corral smaller items while adding texture.
What if I change my mind later?
Open shelves can usually be replaced with cabinets without too much trouble. Going from cabinets to open shelves is more involved, as you will need to repair wall surfaces where cabinets were removed.
Do open shelves make a kitchen look smaller?
Actually, they often make spaces feel larger because they create visual depth and allow light to flow through. The exception is if they are overcrowded, which can make any space feel cramped.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between open shelves and cabinets ultimately comes down to understanding how you live in your kitchen and what environment makes you feel most comfortable. There is no right or wrong answer, only what works best for your specific situation.
However you decide to balance open shelves and cabinets, may your kitchen become a space that truly serves your needs while reflecting your personal style.
Remember that the most successful kitchens are not necessarily the most stylish ones, but the ones where storage solutions make daily life easier and more enjoyable. However you choose to store your kitchen items, may your space welcome you with both beauty and practicality every single day.
