I get the practicality argument, but I’ll admit—sometimes I miss the look of those open shelves, dust and all. My kitchen’s got the original built-ins from the 1910s, and there’s something about seeing stacks of old mixing bowls and chipped plates out in the open that just feels right for the space. Sure, I’m wiping them down more than I’d like, but it’s almost meditative at this point.
Glass doors are nice, but I always end up with fingerprints everywhere (kids, pets, you name it). And honestly, I’ve found that a little visible chaos makes the kitchen feel lived-in, not messy. Maybe it’s just nostalgia talking, but sometimes “organized chaos” is what gives a kitchen its soul. Pinterest-perfect is pretty, but I’d take a little clutter if it means the space feels like home.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think I wanted everything tucked away and spotless, but honestly, after living with a “perfect” kitchen for a while, it just felt… sterile? I grew up in a house where the cookie jar was always out and the mugs never matched, and somehow that’s what feels right to me now.
I’ve got open shelves too—nothing fancy, just some old pine boards we stained ourselves—and yeah, the dust is real. But I’d rather wipe down a few bowls than stress about cabinet doors falling off their hinges (which happened in our last place, and replacing those was NOT cheap). Plus, my kids actually help put stuff away now because they can see where things go.
I think there’s something to be said for a kitchen that looks like people actually cook in it. A little clutter here and there just means it’s being used. Pinterest kitchens are nice to look at, but I’ll take a space that feels like home over “picture perfect” any day.
I hear you on the open shelves—mine are just basic plywood I slapped up and painted, nothing fancy, but they do the job. Dust is a pain, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than those cheap particleboard cabinets that start sagging after a couple years. I get why people want the “magazine” look, but in real life? Stuff gets used, things get messy, and that’s kind of the point. Ever notice how everyone ends up hanging out in the kitchen anyway? Might as well make it comfortable instead of a showroom.
Yeah, I get what you mean about the showroom look versus real life. I tried those glossy cabinet doors once—looked great for about a month, then fingerprints everywhere and the hinges started to loosen up. Plywood shelves are underrated, honestly. If you seal them well and slap on a decent coat of paint, they hold up for years. Dust is annoying, but at least you can see what you have and grab stuff quickly. Plus, open shelves kind of force me to keep things a bit tidier... or at least pretend to.
Those glossy doors are a classic trap—everyone loves them until they realize they’re basically fingerprint magnets. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to tighten up those soft-close hinges for folks who went all-in on the showroom look. Plywood shelves, though, you’re spot on. I’ve seen some from the 80s still going strong after a fresh coat of paint. Open shelving does keep you honest... or at least makes you shove everything into one “junk” basket when company’s coming over.
