Shaker Kitchen Cabinets Are Still In for 2025, But This Trend Is Officially Out, According to Designers
If you’re on the interior design side of social media, you’re probably seeing one controversial kitchen trend popping up everywhere: Homeowners are ditching their upper kitchen cabinets in favor of open shelving.
In my social feed, exposed shelves are perfectly styled and color-coordinated. But in real life, how hard is it to maintain aesthetically pleasing shelves, and will you constantly be cleaning to keep things presentable? I spoke to kitchen design experts for the inside scoop on this cute and cost-effective trend.
Why is open shelving so popular?
Open shelving has been growing in popularity for several years. Matthew O’Grady, director at Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furniture, says the design trend is an answer to the monochromatic minimalism we’ve seen everywhere: “In a way, it’s part of a maximalist (or anti-minimalist) counter trend where people are seeking to add more character to their living spaces. Open shelving lends itself well to this trend because you can put practically anything there, making it easier to personalize your space.”
According to Richard Davis, vice president and director of design at Remodeling Consultants, the design creates a more modern space that feels open and airy. “Open shelves are sleeker and less bulky than other above-countertop wall cabinets. We first see things at eye-level, so this design element can be impactful and dramatic,” he says.
On the practical side, it’s simply easier to access what you need from an open shelf. You have an at-a-glance kitchen inventory, and the shelves are easier to clean (of course, they’ll also attract more dust than closed-door cabinets). Open shelving is also more budget-friendly than traditional cabinets, as you need fewer materials and they’re easier to install — you can even do it yourself.
Downsides of open shelving
While there are plenty of pros, if you’re ready to toss your cabinet doors, consider a few important caveats regarding open shelving first. For starters, and speaking for myself at least, not everything in your kitchen cabinets is worthy of being on constant display.
You may love how your bowls and plates look, but do you really want everyone to see your cereal collection or half-eaten chip bags? What about your collection of water bottles or vitamin containers? Open shelving doesn’t offer the luxury of out of sight, out of mind. And you’ll likely have to tidy, organize, and clean things more often with open shelving. It could even affect how you grocery shop — you may invest in pasta and sauce with better-looking packaging for the sake of your kitchen’s aesthetic.
Rather than going all-in on open shelving, Davis recommends creating a balance between open and closed-door shelving in your kitchen. Keep your favorite ceramics and decanted baking supplies or items you reach for regularly on the open shelves, and sash your less-than-Instagramable snacks and collection of take-out containers behind closed doors.
According to Davis, if properly designed, open shelves can accommodate the same storage space as traditional cabinets. However, if you opt for shallower shelves than those in a typical upper cabinet, you’ll, of course, remove some of your storage space. At the same time, open shelving eliminates swinging doors, which means more usable space — highly valuable in a small kitchen.
Designing and installing your open shelving
If you’re opting for shelves over cabinets, there’s a lot to play around with in the design department. “Shelves can be painted, stained, or left natural if using wood,” Davis says. “They can be refined or rustic, they can be made from glass, thick shelves made from plywood with a finished veneer, or even a rough piece of wood.”
Then, there are your support options. Floating shelves like these sleek oak shelves from West Elm have a minimalist look, or, you can add more structure and choose decorative brackets. I love these simple Wayfair bracketed shelves and these funky metal Amazon brackets that double as wall decor.
Rayne Mirrors Emerald Lee 2 Piece Poplar Bracket Shelf
Wayfair
$123.99 (was $440)
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Grady recommends keeping the rest of your space minimalist if you’re leaning into the maximalism of open shelving. “If your backsplash is very busy, it would be overwhelming to look at together with all the items on the shelves,” he says.
ZOOFOX Set of 6 Vintage Drinking Glasses
Amazon
$25.99 (was $29.99)
If you’re bringing the contents of your pantry out into the open, an easy trick is to spruce things up with pretty containers. Large glass jars are great for bulk items like grains, sugar, and flour. Colorful glassware adds a pop of fun and brightness, and wicker baskets can play the role of drawers for cutlery and utensils. Check out more of designers’ favorite functional decor here.
What do you think about upper kitchen cabinets disappearing? Let us know in the comments below!
