10 reasons why you should try open shelving in your kitchen

The open shelving kitchen trend has been around for a few years now, but let's be honest: it doesn't seem to be showing any signs of slowing down. While it's certainly not a look for everyone, it could be a great option if you want to inject some fresh, modern flair into your space.

For those of you who are always trying to tame the big mess in your home, I suggest you skip this one. But for everyone else, here are ten reasons you might want to consider trying out open shelving in your own space.

1. it's more flexible

Believe it or not, open shelving is something you can easily access. To start with, you can simply take your cupboard doors off. This will allow you to see if something on an open shelf is right for you. If it does, you may end up choosing to replace your cupboards with real open shelving.

2. You could try a combination platter!

Even if you are sure you want to try open shelving, you don't necessarily have to make all the shelves in your kitchen open. Consider trying a combination of open shelving and closed cabinets for the ultimate storage flexibility. You could keep some closed cabinets for clutter and use open shelving in the rest of the space.

3. You have odd spaces to fill

Open shelving is also a great option if you have some strange, unusable spaces in your kitchen. This bespoke shelving around a door frame adds a considerable amount of storage space in an area that would otherwise go to waste.

4. You indulge in vignettes

If you love 'shelving' more than you love selfies, then open shelving may be the best option for you. It allows you to constantly change the look of your space by rearranging and updating the vignettes on your shelves. This is a particularly good option if you like to change the decor of your space as the seasons change.

5. Keep things neat and tidy

If you're looking for a built-in, well-trained kitchen set-up to help ensure you stay organised, then open shelving might be a good idea. The trick is: you have to be committed to keeping things tidy so you can avoid your kitchen looking like a hot messy yard sale.

6. It's perfect for collectors

Open shelving is also a great option for collectors. Whether you collect glassware, certain porcelain patterns, cutlery, salt and pepper shakers, vintage mugs or anything in between, you really will be able to display all your collectibles easily with open shelving.

7. It's a budget-friendly solution

If you've ever done a kitchen renovation, you know that cabinets are often one of your biggest expenses. However, adopting an open shelving plan in your kitchen can actually save you a lot of money. It can even be a temporary solution to installing cheap open shelving if you know you'll eventually prefer closed cabinets but can't quite afford to upgrade yet.

8. It's handy for company

For those who entertain and cook a lot, it really is most convenient to have all your kitchen supplies prominently displayed and readily accessible. Guests can easily find what they might need and you don't have to worry about remembering which cupboard your good china might be hiding in.

9. It lets you see what you have

Open storage in the pantry (as opposed to too many baskets and other units) allows you to see and access your staples at a glance without restriction.

10. Open shelving makes cleaning a breeze

Items stored in open shelving configurations tend to be used more often and are therefore less likely to collect dust. And, since everything is front and centre, wiping down open surfaces is much easier.