Don’t Count Out Open Shelving Just Yet—Here’s Why It Still Belongs in Your Kitchen

As a home editor, it’s a huge part of my job to stay up-to-date on the latest home trends. That said, I’ve read countless articles recently on “what’s in” or “what’s out” for 2026, and for the most part, I do agree. But there’s one decor trend that keeps showing up on these lists that I, frankly, do not agree with. If you ask me, open shelving is not out for 2026. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly popular. 

The truth is that, yes, over the past few years, open shelving has taken over the kitchen design world and is definitely falling into the “overdone” category. But there are so many new ways it’s being used that it's burying its cliché reputation. I’ll admit that open shelving has some drawbacks. It might not be as tidy as a closed cabinet—it requires more dusting, styling, pretty decor, etc.—but it’s also a great solution for certain spaces.

Additionally, it’s much more affordable than cabinetry and can easily fit into small or awkward spaces. A long, open shelf can also serve as an architectural detail, topping slabbed marble backsplashes and tiles as a nod to cottage style. Uses are becoming more creative, clever, plentiful, and stylish. Here are some of my favorite ways to use open shelving to refresh this here-to-stay trend.

Trim Details

Slab backsplashes—the use of a single slab of marble, quartz, porcelain, or granite instead of backsplash tile—are hugely popular. Most often made from the same material as the countertops, a slab backsplash matches the countertop color and veining, creating a seamless, contemporary look that’s free of grout lines and easy to clean.

To finish the tops, designers have opted to cap them with an open shelf that serves as both a visual stopper and a functional shelf for miscellaneous kitchen items. Some are even fitted with hooks or gallery rails to maximize space. Open walls above create space for more functional and decorative opportunities, such as interesting wall finishes, art, or wall sconces.

Architectural Spotlight

Another huge trend in kitchens right now: statement range hoods, like the one shown in this kitchen by architect Clare Walton and interior designer Matt O'Dorisio. Open shelving can elevate a kitchen’s architectural impact by allowing standout elements (such as a statement range hood, an interesting backsplash, oversized windows, or historical details) to take center stage. Without the visual weight of upper cabinetry competing for attention, the eye is drawn immediately to the hood’s unique shape, materials, and craftsmanship. The openness creates a cleaner sightline, while still offering functional storage that feels intentional rather than enclosing. 

Another notable detail in this kitchen is that the open shelving also makes use of the window space, extending across the glass. Because the shelves are visually light and open at the back, they bridge the window opening without blocking light, making effective use of valuable wall space without compromising aesthetics. This would be an impactful way to show off an impressive glass collection, or an incredibly stylish way to create additional storage in a small space.

Artful Displays

There are two forms of open shelving on display in this gorgeous kitchen by architect Eric Olsen and interior designer Ralli Classen. First is the hutch-style set-up on the left, which allows the homeowners to store and display their beautiful yet functional white dishware within easy reach. The second is a long, open shelf that spans the length of the kitchen’s backsplash, drawing attention to the hand-painted blue-gray tile and counter-to-ceiling vertical cedar planks. Art and collections from the homeowners’ travels are displayed above, adding a bit of storied personality to the space.

Small-Space Solution

The light-as-air feel of open shelving is especially useful in smaller spaces. Upper cabinets are traditionally set 12 inches from the wall, which can make a kitchen feel almost a foot smaller. Open shelving highlights the back wall of the space, maintaining the visual footprint without sacrificing storage. It also allows light to pass through the space almost freely, which can help darker kitchens appear slightly brighter.

Here, open shelves span the entire length of the kitchen, with the statement range hood serving as the focal point. Marble shelves at the bottom cap the marble backsplash, while wood shelves at the top add warmth and texture. They also leave room for wall sconces, lighting the back wall of the kitchen to help the space glow at night. Art, plants, and curated collections add visual interest to the shelves.

Style Point of View

There are many ways to approach open shelving, and this one emphasizes a classic cottage style. Curved wood brackets and rounded wood pegs break up all the right angles and straight lines, leaving a visitor to question if they’re in a new construction home or a 100-year-old country house. Details like these (shelf brackets, pegs, change-of-shape) can truly change the feel of a space—and here, they turn a simple kitchen corner into something with a strong style and useful functionality. In a corner, an open cabinet door would have made the furthest shelves difficult to reach. Additionally, they would’ve interfered with the range hood's moldings. Open shelves add functionality, warmth, and impart a sense of architecture in one fell swoop.