| Open shelving | Upper cabinets | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Less | More |
| Dust and grease | Everything is exposed | Doors protect contents |
| Clutter | Always on show | Hidden |
| Look | Light, open | Solid, finished |
| Reach | Grab and go | Open a door first |
Should you choose open shelving or upper cabinets?
It comes down to how you use the kitchen. Upper cabinets are the practical default: more storage, contents protected from dust and cooking grease, and clutter out of sight. Open shelves make a kitchen feel lighter and more personal, and put everyday dishes and glasses in reach, at the cost of storage and cleaning.
What are the advantages of open shelving?
- A lighter look. A wall without doors opens up a small kitchen.
- Everything in reach. No doors to open for the plates and glasses you use every day.
- Display. A place for good dishes, cookbooks and a few objects.
What are the downsides of open shelving?
- Dust and grease. Anything near the cooktop collects a film, so items on open shelves need washing even when unused.
- Less storage. Shelves hold less than a cabinet of the same width.
- Always on show. Open shelves look best styled, not packed. They suit a tidy household.
Why do most kitchens use both?
Because each fixes the other’s weakness. A common approach is upper cabinets for most storage and a short run of open shelves where they will be used: beside the sink for everyday glasses and plates, or on a wall away from the cooktop where grease is less of a problem. Glass-front uppers are another middle ground, showing what is inside while keeping dust out.
Where should open shelves go?
- Away from the cooktop, to limit grease.
- Near where things are used: glasses by the fridge or sink, mugs by the coffee.
- On a wall that can carry them. Loaded shelves are heavy; the fixing has to suit the wall behind it.
- As a deliberate feature, in a run or a corner, rather than scattered.
What if you drop upper cabinets altogether?
It can work in a kitchen with a generous pantry or tall cabinets elsewhere, but the storage has to go somewhere. Plan it first: deep drawers in the base cabinets, a pantry wall, or tall cabinets at the end of a run.
How does Crafted Cabinetry plan shelving and uppers?
Crafted kitchens are fully custom, so open shelves, closed uppers and glass fronts are planned together with your dedicated designer, in 3D renderings, before anything is built. Every cabinet is cut to your measurements in 1/16-inch increments, then built to order in our California shop and delivered fully assembled anywhere in the continental US.
Frequently asked questions
Is open shelving practical in a kitchen?
For everyday items in a tidy household, yes. It stores less and needs more cleaning than cabinets, so most kitchens use a short run alongside upper cabinets.
Where should open shelves go in a kitchen?
Away from the cooktop to limit grease, and near where the items are used, such as glasses by the sink or fridge.
Can I skip upper cabinets entirely?
Yes, if the storage goes elsewhere: deep base drawers, a pantry or tall cabinets. Plan that storage before removing the uppers.
Are glass-front cabinets a good compromise?
Yes. They show what is inside, like open shelves, while keeping out dust and grease, like cabinets.
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