9 Reasons to Love Open Shelving

9 Reasons to Love Open Shelving
Photography by Jim Bathie

Open shelving—the great debate of the home décor world. Some love it, others despise it, but nearly everyone has their own opinion on it. Here at The Cottage Journal, we say listen to your home, trust your style instincts, and ultimately, do whatever works for you! While we love the look of open shelving, we understand that it’s not for everyone. We’ve compiled a handful of our favorite aspects of open shelving and a few useful tips on how to incorporate this cottage-style look no matter your décor preference.

  1. It makes your kitchen seem larger.

The upside of cottage living can also be the downside—cozy and comfortable can easily become cramped. Open shelving eliminates the need for bulky cabinetry and opens up a space. Our tip: Use open shelving around a window or other natural light source. Traditional cabinetry blocks out this light, which naturally makes your room seem smaller and more boxed in.