Few things are as controversial in kitchen design as open shelves. Every time it comes up in conversation people are quick to say how much they hate them, yet I keep seeing them everywhere. So what’s the deal?

Open shelves have gotten fairly popular because they’re inexpensive and contribute to an open and airy feeling. But not everyone is a fan. Some people find them too busy and cluttered looking. Often it comes down to personal taste, but the real question is: are open shelves practical? The best way to determine this is to look at the pros and cons.

Pros of Open Shelves

• Open shelves don’t take up a lot of physical space, so in certain kitchens, removing cabinets in favour of a few open shelves can make a space feel bigger and brighter.
• You get to display favourite items. For people who are really fond of their dishes and accessories, this is a huge plus. For example, I have a robin’s egg blue KitchenAid mixer that I always have front and center. I would hate to hide it behind a cabinet door.
• Having items out on display gives your kitchen character and expresses your personality.
• All you have to do is glance at them and you’ll know exactly where everything is. No more opening every cabinet door to find that rarely used dish. Because of this, you might be more likely to use certain items.

Cons of Open Shelves

• Everything you store on them will be out in the open for all the world to see. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but some people don’t like it.
• You’ve got to be organized. Some people find it difficult to have to keep things organized and looking nice all the time.  When you have open shelves you can’t just shove something in there and quickly close the door.
• You have to make sure you’re getting shelves that can handle the weight of your dishes over time. Saggy shelves that are visible at all times will look terrible. Quality matters!
• Neither of these applies to me, but if you live in an area prone to earthquakes, or if you have a troublesome cat, open shelves could be a problem!

One thing I absolutely have to mention is cleaning. People get so upset thinking about the dust and grease that will accumulate. Personally, I think this concern is a little silly. If you’re keeping your every day dishes on open shelves, chances are there won’t be a chance for any dust to accumulate. If however, you’re storing special things that only get used once or twice a year, then sure, you’ll have to wipe them down before using. But is this really a big deal? I don’t know, maybe I don’t find cleaning to be as much of an annoyance as some people do. It just doesn’t bother me to have to dust on occasion. But to each his/her own.

Personally, I prefer closed cabinets in my own kitchen, simply because I like to be able to close the door on clutter. I have A LOT of kitchen accessories, and keeping them organized is tough. But with that said, I think it’s lovely to have a shelf or two to display a few things (like that mixer I mentioned earlier).

If you like the idea of open shelves but aren’t ready to commit, try one or two. In most cases it really is the best scenario. You can display a few things and hide everything else.

What are your thoughts, when it comes to open shelves do you love them or hate them? Let me know in the comments!