If you use your coffee maker every day, why shove it in a cabinet?
Isn’t that the truth? I tried the “appliance garage” thing once and just ended up leaving the toaster out anyway. But do open shelves ever get too cluttered? Or is it just me who can’t resist adding more mugs than I’ll ever use? I love the lived-in look, but sometimes I wonder if there’s a happy medium between magazine-perfect and total chaos...
But do open shelves ever get too cluttered? Or is it just me who can’t resist adding more mugs than I’ll ever use?
You’re definitely not alone in the mug department. I swear, every time I open my shelves, there’s a new “world’s best dad” or “funny cat” mug staring back at me. Open shelving looks great in theory, but it’s a slippery slope if you’re even a little sentimental (or just like cute mugs).
Here’s what I’ve found works after a few kitchen overhauls and more than one failed attempt at the “appliance garage” trend:
1. **Designate zones**. If you use your coffee maker daily, give it a permanent home on the counter. Same goes for the toaster if you’re a toast-every-morning type. Hiding them away just means they’ll end up living on the counter anyway, and then you’re fighting your own design.
2. **Limit open shelves to “display-worthy” stuff**. I keep my favorite mugs and bowls out, but anything chipped or mismatched goes behind closed doors. It keeps things looking intentional instead of chaotic.
3. **Rotate seasonally**. This sounds fussy, but swapping out what’s on display every few months keeps things fresh and stops the shelves from getting overloaded.
4. **One-in, one-out rule** (in theory). I try to stick to this with mugs... emphasis on “try.” Sometimes you just need that extra one with the weird handle.
I get wanting that lived-in vibe—magazine kitchens look amazing but never seem practical for real life. There’s something comforting about seeing a bit of clutter, as long as it doesn’t tip into “where did I put the spatula?” territory.
Honestly, finding that happy medium is kind of an ongoing experiment for me. Some weeks it looks curated, other weeks it’s chaos with a side of coffee stains. But hey, at least it means people are actually using the kitchen, right?
Honestly, I think you’re nailing it. Kitchens are meant to be lived in, not staged for a photoshoot 24/7. Open shelves can absolutely get cluttered, but that’s part of their charm—each mug tells a story, right? I always tell people: don’t stress about perfection. A little chaos just means your kitchen has personality and actually gets used. If you love your collection, let it shine (even if it’s a bit much sometimes).
Totally get where you’re coming from. I tried to “stage” my kitchen once—lasted about a day before the breadbox was buried under mail and the cat claimed the counter. Honestly, a little mess just means you’re actually cooking. If your shelves make you smile, that’s what matters.
Honestly, I tried to keep my kitchen looking like those Pinterest pics for about a week. Then the reality of daily life (and my inability to resist late-night snacks) set in. Now the fruit bowl is mostly for keys, and the “open shelving” is just a fancy way to display my collection of mismatched mugs.
I get the hype around a beautiful kitchen, but I think it’s overrated if you’re stressing about every crumb or coffee ring. I mean, who’s actually living like that? If you’re cooking, stuff’s gonna get messy. That’s just how it goes. And if your shelves make you happy—even if they’re a little chaotic—then you’re winning.
I used to think I needed everything to be perfect before I could enjoy it. Turns out, I just needed a place to make grilled cheese at midnight without tripping over the dog. Maybe the real “worth” is just having a space that feels like yours, mess and all.
