How Open Shelving Is Transforming Kitchens, One Wall at a Time

Upper cabinets may be the default in kitchen design, but open shelving is the quiet disruptor bringing both airiness and artistry to culinary spaces. It’s a choice that rewards minimalism, demands organization, and invites personality—whether it’s a row of cookbooks, a favorite mug, or a pop of greenery.

Across a range of Sweeten renovations, homeowners traded solid doors for open views, proving that storage can be both functional and visually striking. Here’s how they made the look their own.

A touch of Scandinavian

This homeowner wanted a “mid-century Scandi meets ’70s Italian modern” kitchen. Clean lines and leaving the space as open as possible achieved this look. Custom-made floating shelves behind the peninsula, and all along the sink wall, do the trick. They provide plenty of storage for everyday items and decorative accessories without overwhelming the kitchen.

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Topping the backsplash

Custom wood shelves run along one wall of Sheilaja and Sergio’s galley kitchen. They provide a nice contrast to the all-white palette. Plus, they hold books and artwork that bring a personal touch to the cook space.

Storage for space and air

This tiny kitchen looks much bigger than it is thanks to the exposed back wall anchored with white oak shelves. Upper cabinets have suffocated the space; instead, light from the living area streams in filling.

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Shelving for tight corners

Bellamy and Zak’s kitchen presented a few design challenges. A door for backyard access was needed as well as space to accommodate “must-have” double ovens. All said and done, there wasn’t a ton of remaining wall space for more upper cabinets, so instead the couple chose shelves to host ingredients and dishware.

Standout hardware

Reconfiguring the kitchen layout allowed Jeremy and Chris to extend the cabinetry and add an integrated refrigerator on one wall. The opposite one would host a banquette, sink, and long open shelves. In addition to keeping the space from feeling too enclosed, the shelves show off the Carrara marble backsplash.

Stacking shelves

Nazli wanted an open feel for the parlor floor of her family’s brownstone. “My solution was to forgo upper cabinets so there’s a clear line of vision from the front the of the room all the way to the dining room,” she shared. To make up for the lack of storage from closed cabinets, she opted for shelves on the opposite wall that frames a walk-in pantry.

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