Title: Open Shelving vs. Clutter - Where’s the Line?

I’ve seen so many kitchens where open shelves look great in photos, but in real life, it’s a different story. I once designed a space for a client who insisted on all open shelving - looked amazing for about a week, then reality set in. Dust, mismatched mugs, random cereal boxes... it just didn’t work for their lifestyle. Mixing in closed cabinets made a huge difference. You get the display space for the nice stuff, but you can hide the chaos when you need to. Honestly, unless you’re super disciplined, all open shelving is just asking for clutter.

Mixing in closed cabinets made a huge difference. You get the display space for the nice stuff, but you can hide the chaos when you need to.

Couldn’t agree more with this approach. I’ve built a few kitchens where folks wanted all open shelves, and it’s always the same story - looks great until daily life kicks in. Here’s what I usually suggest:

1. Use open shelves for things you actually use every day (plates, glasses), so dust doesn’t have time to settle.
2. Keep closed cabinets for the less photogenic stuff - plastic containers, cereal boxes, whatever.
3. Limit open shelving to one or two sections max. Any more and it’s just too hard to keep tidy.

Honestly, unless you’re running a showroom, a mix is way more practical.

Title: Mixing Open and Closed Cabinets - What Actually Works?

Totally get the appeal of open shelves, but honestly, unless you’re Marie Kondo-ing your life every week, closed cabinets are a lifesaver. I tried going mostly open in my last kitchen build - looked great for about a month, then real life hit. Dust, random mugs, and kid art everywhere. Now, I stick to open shelves just for coffee stuff and dishes we use daily. The rest? Behind doors, out of sight, out of mind. There’s something satisfying about just shutting the mess away when company drops by...

I hear you on the dust and chaos - open shelves can look amazing in photos, but day-to-day life is a whole different story. I’ve found that mixing open and closed storage isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about how you use your kitchen. For example, if you’re cooking a lot, having pots and pans within arm’s reach on open shelves can actually save time (though you do have to wipe them down more often). But for stuff you don’t use daily, closed cabinets really are the way to go.

One thing I’m curious about: has anyone tried integrating glass-front cabinets as a sort of compromise? They let you see what’s inside, but still keep out most of the dust. I’ve been considering them for my next project, especially since they can be made with recycled glass or sustainably sourced wood. Wondering if that strikes a good balance between function and keeping things tidy... or does it just end up showing off more clutter?

GLASS-FRONT CABINETS - PRACTICAL OR JUST PRETTY?

Wondering if that strikes a good balance between function and keeping things tidy... or does it just end up showing off more clutter?

Honestly, I think glass-fronts are a bit overrated unless you’re super organized. They definitely keep out dust, but I’ve found they just highlight any mismatched mugs or random Tupperware. If you’re not the type to keep everything picture-perfect, they can actually add stress. I’d rather do solid doors and maybe one open shelf for the “nice” stuff. Just my two cents - sometimes less visibility is more peace of mind.