How To Mix Open Shelving With Refaced Cabinets

If you’re planning to refresh your kitchen, combining open shelving with refaced cabinets can be a game-changing design move. This approach pairs the sleek, unified look of new cabinet fronts with the light, open feel of accessible shelving. Whether you want to showcase your favorite dishware or make a small space feel larger, Kitchen Saver^® is here to explain how to mix open shelving with refaced cabinets to strike the perfect balance of style, function, and efficiency.

The Benefits of Cabinet Refacing

Refacing your cabinetry creates the ideal backdrop for incorporating open shelving. By replacing the old doors and drawer fronts, applying new finishes, and selecting new hardware, accessories, and fixtures, you can achieve the aesthetic of a brand-new kitchen while maintaining your current layout. This sets a polished, professional tone while leaving room for creative flair in more open areas.

Create Visual Breaks

One of the fundamental principles of good design is balance. Too many solid cabinet fronts, especially in a small kitchen, can make the space feel visually heavy. Incorporating open shelving offers a visual break, allowing the eye to rest and helping the room feel more breathable.

Consider flanking a range hood with simple floating shelves or replacing a few upper cabinets near a window with open wood or MDF shelving for a lighter, airier look.

Coordinate Materials and Finishes

Match the materials in your open shelving with your refaced cabinets. If your cabinets feature white shaker doors, for example, consider natural wood shelves to complement them. Alternatively, if your new cabinet fronts are sleek and dark, black metal brackets paired with laminate or dark wood shelves can enhance that streamlined feel.

Plan for Functionality

Open shelving works best when it’s both beautiful and functional. Use it to store everyday essentials, such as coffee mugs, plates, bowls, glass jars, or cookbooks. Reserve lesser-used items for your closed cabinets to keep your shelves looking clean and clutter-free. To maximize the benefits of your refaced cabinetry, consider adding upgrades such as pull-out drawers, lazy Susans, or other storage solutions.

Mix Shelf Styles

You don’t have to stick with one style of shelving. Mixing different types, such as floating shelves alongside those with decorative brackets, can add visual interest. Consider using thick wood slabs in one area for warmth and texture, contrasting them with slim laminate shelves elsewhere to add dimension and depth to your space. Make sure to use similar tones, complementary shapes, and consistent spacing.

Illuminate Your Space

Open shelving presents an opportunity to enhance lighting and ambiance. Consider installing LED strip lights underneath each shelf or adding sconces to highlight specific areas, doubling as both accent and task lighting. Refaced cabinets can also be upgraded with under-cabinet lighting, creating a well-lit cooking and prep zone. Combining these elements can unify your open and closed storage for a cohesive aesthetic.

Design With Intention

With your newly refaced cabinets serving as a clean backdrop, your open shelves can double as personalized focal points that add charm and character to your space. To achieve a curated look, stick to a consistent color palette and layer textures, such as ceramics, wood, glass, and metal, for a refined appearance. Vary the arrangement by mixing stacked items with upright pieces, leaving some negative space to keep the shelves from feeling cluttered.

Reach Out to an Expert

Combining open shelving with refaced cabinetry can elevate your kitchen’s look, but getting the proportions, placement, and finishes just right takes careful planning. That’s where Kitchen Saver comes in. With our Custom Cabinet Renewal process, we can help you select the ideal cabinet colors, styles, textures, and materials so every detail fits together perfectly. In as little as 3–5 days, you’ll have a kitchen that blends charm, openness, and sleek, professional polish. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!