🥴 Open Shelving: Pinterest Dream or Daily Nightmare?

Cody Orndoff
Jun 19
2 min read

Let’s be real — you saw it on Pinterest. Maybe even saved it to your “Dream Kitchen” board at 2:00 a.m. Open shelving. Floating wood planks. Carefully arranged mugs and olive oil bottles that whisper, “I cook… but also live beautifully.”

But now you're here. Wondering if open shelves are the peak of kitchen style…Or just a highway to Dust Town with a stop at Visual Clutter Station.

We’re Clever Habitat Pros, and we’ve seen both sides of the shelf. Here’s the good, the bad, and the dusty truth about open kitchen shelving.

😍 The Dream

Open shelves can look stunning. When done right, they:

Make small kitchens feel bigger (bye, bulky cabinets)
Let you show off pretty dishes or heirlooms
Keep everyday stuff within easy reach
Photograph like a total smoke show

They give off minimalist-café energy. You feel like someone who grinds your own salt and buys basil with the roots still on.

😬 The Reality

But here’s what those Instagram photos don’t show:

Grease dust — a delightful combo of airborne cooking oil + dust bunnies
Your mismatched mugs and the plastic kid bowl with the dinosaur on it
The stress of “styling” shelves every time someone comes over
The deep, creeping shame of looking at an empty coffee jar and a lone cup and going, this isn't a vibe, it's a cry for help

Also, if you don’t love organizing… or dusting… or dishes that always look camera-ready… open shelving might turn on you faster than a half-empty spice rack.

🤷‍♀️ So, Should You Do It?

Here’s a quick gut check:

Open Shelving Could Work If…	You Might Regret It If…
You have pretty stuff and not much of it	Your mugs are from gas stations and your “set” is 3 plates
You don’t mind daily dusting or weekly wiping	You have pets, kids, or… let’s be honest, a life
You love that open, airy look	You like doors that hide your chaos
You’re disciplined about staying organized	You treat cabinets like a junk drawer with shelves

☕ Our Honest Take?

Do a mix. Seriously.

A few open shelves for your “look at my cute bowls” moment — and real cabinets for the rest.

Keep the beauty. Ditch the stress. And yes, you can still have floating shelves and floating sanity.

🛠️ Need Help Designing a Kitchen That Makes Sense?

At Clever Habitat Pros, we help Bremerton-area homeowners plan kitchen remodels that are beautiful, functional, and totally you — whether that includes open shelves, hidden drawers, or a snack cabinet you don’t want guests to know about.

📞 Let’s talk about your dream kitchen — dust optional.

📚 Kitchen Inspo We Love

Influencer to Follow: @studiodiy – Bright, bold kitchens and the occasional shelf win.
Product We Trust: Wallniture USA – Open shelving hardware that doesn’t wobble like grandma’s card table.
Similar Blog Post: “Are Open Shelves Practical in the Kitchen?” – The Spruce