Open shelving in kitchens looks great until you actually cook

Every remodel post I see is all about open shelving and how it opens up a space. I installed it for a client in Austin about 8 months ago and now I get a call every few weeks about dust and grease film on their glasses. You have to wash every dish before you use it, even the ones you just put away. I tried to talk them into upper cabinets with glass fronts instead but they had Pinterest blinders on. Has anyone else had to deal with a customer who picked a style over function and then blamed you for it?

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cooper.spencer6d ago

That "Pinterest blinders" line hit home. I've had the same fight more than once. My go-to move now is to put a demo shelf right next to the stove with a glass jar of cooking oil and a dirty spatula on it. After a week they see the film themselves. Then I show them the same layout with cabinet doors that have glass inserts. You still get the open look but you can wipe a flat door in two minutes instead of scrubbing every mug and bowl.