Anatomy of Open Shelving (or Dust Be Damned, I Love to See My Kitchen Ceramics)

Does open shelving scare you? Intrigue you? A little of both?

I am an unapologetic open-shelving stan in my own home. This love was born out of necessity. When Jay and I moved to San Francisco in 2003, our first apartment was a 300-square-foot studio with a kitchen so small that both of us couldn’t use it at the same time. The deep, ugly cabinets took up too much physical and visual space. We quickly (and 100% without permission) broke the rules and yanked them out, replacing them with open shelving we built ourselves—complete with wine bottle storage and hooks for our coffee mugs. It was so adorable it ended up featured in the rental listing when we moved out.

Our apartments have grown a little larger over the years, but our love for open shelving has stayed strong. Even in our Sonoma kitchen—which is big, bright, and blessed with plenty of storage—we have open shelving everywhere. And yes, if you’re with me this far, you already know: open shelves mean more dust. But do I still think they’re worth it? Yes, yes, and YES.

Why I Love Open Shelving

I get to celebrate my things

Some of my favorite ceramics!

This is my favorite part. I’m not a collector by nature (small-apartment living will sometimes do that), but over time I’ve built a trove of ceramics I truly adore. My shelves hold a mix of practical, everyday pieces (Heath Ceramics forever), special-occasion serving ware, and treasures from my travels. One of my favorites: a set of tiny Nordic espresso cups I found at a flea market in North Carolina years ago. I don’t even drink espresso—but I love seeing them every night at dinner.

As an organizer, I’m always looking for ways to bring my clients’ “favorite but rarely used” items out of storage and into circulation. What’s the point of loving something if it’s tucked away in a box?

They keep me tidy (ish)

Here’s the thing about open shelves: they keep you honest. Because everything is visible, you naturally edit more often and think twice before adding clutter. When your dishes are part of the room’s design, you start treating them that way—stacked neatly, color-coordinated, and thoughtfully chosen. It’s self-policing in the best possible way.

The power of negative space

One of the most underrated benefits of open shelving is negative space. In small kitchens especially, upper cabinets can feel like hulking blocks that visually shrink the room. Removing them opens up the walls and lets light travel farther, instantly making the space feel brighter, taller, and more breathable. You trade bulk for balance.

An open shelving inspo board I made recently for a client’s kitchen

When your eye has places to rest—between dishes, around the edges of shelves, along the backsplash—the whole space feels calmer and more intentional. It’s a design trick, but also a psychological one: less visual clutter actually creates more mental calm.

And after years of living in small San Francisco apartments and organizing more, I’ve learned that sometimes the most luxurious thing you can give yourself isn’t more storage—it’s a little bit of space to breathe.

They help clarify what you really love and use

Open shelves act like a constant edit. You’ll quickly learn which pieces you actually use and which are just taking up space. For me, it’s a built-in accountability system: if I don’t love it enough to see it every day, it doesn’t stay.

Easy access

And let’s not forget the practical side. Everything’s right there—no more reaching into the dark depths of a corner cabinet. Just grab, use, and return. Open shelving is especially great for visual organizers—those of us who need to see things to remember we have them. (If you’re that person who forgets what’s behind closed doors, you’ll love this.)

The Cons (Because There Are Always Some)

Of course, open shelving isn’t for everyone.

• Dust is real. There’s no denying you’ll need to wipe things down more often. A quick weekly swipe is usually plenty.

• Sunlight can damage certain items. Keep food, oils, and spices in closed cabinets if your shelves get a lot of direct light.

• Visual clutter can stress you out. If the idea of seeing every plate and cup makes your heart race, that’s a sign traditional cabinets might be your friend—and that’s okay!

Styling Tips

If you’re tempted to try open shelving, start small:

• Replace one upper cabinet with floating shelves and see how it feels. Or perhaps even consider taking the door off of some or all cabinets. Depending on how they are built it can work surprisingly well, especially for rentals.

• Keep everyday dishes and pretty items within easy reach, and stash lesser-used things higher up.

• Repeat colors and materials for a calm, cohesive look (white dishes + wood shelves = timeless).

• Mix in plants, cookbooks, or a framed print to keep it personal but intentional.
  

  And remember: it can take time to get things just so.

  
  Open shelving is all about progress, not perfection. I’m constantly shifting things around on my own shelves—sometimes the smallest change can completely affect the flow and balance of a space. It’s part of the fun. Let your shelves evolve with you.
  

Final Thoughts

Open shelving might be higher maintenance, but it’s also higher joy. Seeing your favorite things daily is a simple pleasure that makes a kitchen feel alive and loved.

Engineering a kitchen to make it easier—and happier—for everyone to use doesn’t take much time or effort, but the benefits are felt every day.

If you’d like help making your kitchen more functional or family-friendly (open shelves or not!), I’d love to chat.

xo, Melissa