Open Shelving vs. Closed Cabinets: Which Is Right for Your Kitchen?

Every kitchen comes with a big design decision: open shelving or closed cabinets? Both have their place, and both can transform the look and feel of your space. The key lies in choosing what works best for your home and lifestyle.

The Case for Open Shelving

Open oak shelving has become a favourite in recent years, and for good reason. It creates a light, airy feel while giving you the chance to display favourite pieces — stacks of ceramics, jars of dried goods, or even a trailing houseplant. It can make a kitchen feel more personal, lived-in, and welcoming. But open shelving does require some thought. It’s ideal for items you use often, but less so for anything you’d rather keep hidden away.

The Benefits of Closed Cabinets

Closed cabinets remain a classic choice — offering practicality, order, and a clean, uncluttered finish. Perfect for busy households, they hide away the daily necessities and allow the overall design of the kitchen to shine.

Cabinetry can also add layers of design detail. Painted finishes, mouldings, and hardware choices all contribute to the style of your kitchen while keeping storage discreet.

Why Not Have Both?

In many kitchens, the answer isn’t either-or but a combination of the two. Open shelving brings warmth and character, while closed cabinets ensure everyday practicality. Together, they create balance: display what you love, and tuck away the rest. At Minerva, we often combine the two, crafting oak shelving alongside painted cabinetry — giving our clients the best of both worlds.

Head over to Our Projects Page and discover all the different kitchen projects that feature open shelving and classic cabinetry. Or, why not Visit Our Showrooms and chat with our expert designers who will help you make this kitchen deisgn choice