If you're like us, you can't escape these pretty pictures of kitchen with open shelving. But, is it really all that practical? Find out why these home owners went for a cabinet-free look.

Open Shelves increase your storage options

We couldn't stand the upper cabinets in our kitchen. People tend to see them as a cornucopia of storage, but they were actually quite awkward. One cabinet was a nightmare because I couldn't quite reach around to get things in and out — I had to clamber up on the counter. The corner cabinets were too narrow for glasses to sit side-by-side. And the one above the stove was fake, Open Shelving  increased our storage, and created a space that felt a bit more modern and relaxed," says Tanya Watson of Dans le Lakehouse.       

Its warm and  welcoming to the guests

Open shelves invite visitors to feel at home and help themselves to whatever they need. They don't have to ask where things are, or go rummaging through cabinets because it's all in plain view.

It makes space look brighter and more open

Our kitchen was small, dark and felt closed in with old ugly upper cabinets. We were originally planning on just tearing out one wall of cabinetry, but once we did, we realized that ripping out all of them would truly make our kitchen more open. We haven't looked back since! It lets so much more light in from our windows, which helps make the space feel so much bigger," says Christina Hibbs of Christina's Adventures.

Dust and grime arent  that big of a deal

Dust appears on the shelf, but I just wipe it off once a month or so while the dishes are being cleaned. Really, no dish sits there long enough to accumulate dust . Because we use all of the plates, bowls and glasses on the shelves regularly, they don't have time to get dusty.

Inexpensive as well as Organized

Truth time: New cabinets aren't cheap. Open shelving is a very budget-friendly option! It's a project that can be done in a day, yet it makes a huge statement when done well. Everything finds its way back to its designated spot with open shelving and, counter-intuitively, it's actually easier to keep organized.