Open shelving has been one of the hottest kitchen trends of the past few years, but is its time in the spotlight officially over? Here's what three interior designers had to say. Open kitchen shelves used to be all the rage, but now they're falling out of favor. We spoke to interior designers to find out why.
:strip_icc()/open-shlving-high-ceilings-kitchen-light-gray-103037955-ed3431908280429b81c975a37185200b.jpg)
Get ready, because this future kitchen design trend is about to be everywhere. Say farewell to open shelving, and hello to concealed storage in the kitchen. Designers share why open shelving is a more popular trend than it should be given the practical and stylistic constraints.
I talked to pro designers about upper kitchen cabinets disappearing in 2025, and open shelving taking their place. The last thing you want is for open shelves to look unfinished. You also don't want to overdo it on the tchotchkes and create clutter, or worse, a garage sale vibe.
Whitney Vredenburgh advises mixing a few colors and textures, but keeping the variety to two or three rather than breaking out a kaleidoscopic palette. "For example, the floating shelves in the kitchen have white, touches of green. Before you begin your next kitchen renovation, consider these 11 different open shelf styles that may just enhance your entire space.
If it seems like open shelving is everywhere, that's because it is. "Open shelving is one the most popular-and also the most controversial-kitchen trends of recent years," said Apartment Therapy. Some kitchens, in an effort to look updated and open, have eliminated upper cabinets entirely, integrating open shelving instead.
Why Open Kitchen Shelving is Still in Style Open shelving is standing the test of design trends-this isn't just a passing phase. Whether aiming for a cozy farmhouse feel, sleek modern tones, or minimal Scandinavian vibes, open shelves complement a variety of kitchen styles. The fatigue extends beyond flooring to gray as a default finish across the kitchen.
Open shelving replacing upper cabinets This was one of the most criticized trends. Many liked the look in photos but disliked living with it. Dust, grease, limited storage, and visual clutter were common complaints.