You’ve chosen your benchtops, finalised the flooring and settled on appliances. Now comes a decision that will shape how your kitchen actually works day to day: shelving. Open shelves, closed cabinets or glass fronted doors? Each option changes more than just aesthetics as it affects your storage capacity, maintenance routine and how the space feels when you walk in each morning.
The shelving you choose determines whether you’ll reach for a coffee mug in seconds or shuffle through stacked items. It decides if your kitchen will showcase your style or hide the everyday reality of cooking and living. Before making this choice, let’s explore what each option offers so you can match your shelving to the way you actually use your kitchen.
Open Shelves Where Accessibility Meets Style
Open shelving continues to gain ground in modern kitchens and the reasons are practical. Everything sits within easy reach as there are no doors or cabinet hinges to navigate when you’re juggling hot pans. For frequent cooks, this accessibility can streamline your entire routine.
Beyond function, open shelves let you curate what’s visible. A collection of matching jars, neatly stacked bowls or your favourite serving pieces become part of the room’s character. The kitchen feels less enclosed, particularly valuable in compact spaces where every visual trick counts.
The trade off is that maintenance demands increase due to dust settling directly on dishes, while cooking grease finds its way onto everything and what you store needs regular attention. If you’re comfortable with visible storage and don’t mind the occasional wipe down between uses, open shelving can transform ordinary storage into a design feature worth showing off.
This option is best suited for those who cook regularly, enjoy styling spaces and don’t mind keeping shelves organised and clean.
Closed Cabinets is the Streamlined Standard
Closed cabinets have remained popular for good reason as they hide the reality of daily kitchen life. Mismatched containers, bulky appliances, the random collection of lids that never seem to match their bases, all of it disappears behind closed doors. The visual result is immediate calm, particularly valuable in family kitchens where items accumulate quickly.
Maintenance becomes simpler too as your dishes and cookware stay protected from airborne grease and dust, meaning less time scrubbing between uses. The contents can be arranged however works best for you, without worrying about visual appeal. Stack items efficiently, cram in that awkward shaped slow cooker or store backup supplies without a second thought. Closed cabinets work especially well if you prefer clean lines and uncluttered surfaces because they create uniformity across the space and let other elements take centre stage.
This option is best suited for busy households, those who prefer minimalist aesthetics and anyone wanting low maintenance storage.
Stylish Glass Fronted Cabinets
Glass doors split the difference between open and closed storage. They keep dust and grease off your items while letting you display select pieces. The right lighting behind glass fronted cabinets can elevate your entire kitchen, highlighting glassware or cherished serving pieces.
You’ll have options with glass such as clear for full visibility, frosted for subtle concealment or tinted to complement your colour scheme. This flexibility lets you adapt the look to match everything from contemporary to traditional styles. As glass shows fingerprints and smudges readily, requiring more frequent cleaning than solid doors. You’ll also need to stay mindful of what’s visible inside, which means maintaining organisation even when you’re in a rush. Done well, though, glass cabinets add sophistication and depth without the full exposure of open shelving.
This option is best suited for the design conscious homeowners who want to showcase specific items while maintaining some protection.
Making Your Decision
Your ideal shelving setup likely involves combining options rather than choosing just one. Open shelves for everyday plates and mugs you reach for constantly. Closed cabinets for appliances, pantry overflow, and anything you’d rather keep hidden. Glass fronted cupboards in one or two strategic spots to display pieces you’re proud of.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How much time do you spend cooking versus reheating?
- Do you find visible items inspiring or stressful?
- How many small appliances need homes?
- Are you willing to maintain styled, visible storage?
- Does anyone in the household have accessibility needs that favour certain door types?
A household with young children might lean heavily toward closed storage to contain the chaos. Someone who entertains frequently might want glass cabinets to showcase glassware and serving pieces. A keen home cook might prioritise open shelving for quick access to frequently used items.
The best kitchen renovations balance what looks good with what actually works, and whether you’re drawn to the openness of shelves, the simplicity of closed cabinets or the elegance of glass displays, we’ll create a kitchen that functions as well as it looks.