To Display or Not to Display: Open Shelving versus Closed Cabinetry in the Modern Kitchen

In the heart of every home, the kitchen serves as both a functional space and a personal statement. At Poggenpohl, where craftsmanship meets architectural precision, we understand that the choices you make in kitchen design reflect more than just style - they reveal your lifestyle. One of the most evocative decisions? Whether to display or to conceal.

From the modern allure of +MODO trays to the sleek discretion of our +STAGE pocket doors and the elegant flexibility of a bespoke pantry, this is more than a matter of storage - it’s about expression, style, and flow. So, what suits you best?

Open shelving invites the eye to explore. It’s ideal for those who love to collect - whether it’s a hand-thrown ceramic bowl, your favourite coffee cups, or a neatly stacked row of cookbooks. The addition of open shelving can make kitchens feel larger, and they are especially effective in urban apartments or contemporary spaces.

Open shelving, shown here with a book-matched Porcelain splashback, can be a beautiful addition to a space for interesting items, cookbooks or a coffee machine

Perfect for showcasing design-led objects or seasonal pieces, Poggenpohl +MODO pull out trays can be updated regularly according to your mood, the season, or who is visiting your home. Also beneficial for everyday essentials which would be within arm’s reach.

Poggenpohl’s +MODO pull out shelves in dark Oak can be used to display beautiful items procured from all over the world, or every day crockery for ease of use – it’s entirely at the home owner’s desire and can be changed to suit the season. This from Poggenpohl Marlow

However, there are some that would find open shelving too much in their home. Items must be kept tidy, and shelves may need more frequent dusting. Some items, like mismatched Tupperware, are better hidden from view. This is definitely where a design offering both open and closed storage would be beneficial.

Open, closed and glass cabinets can all be used – here even with the addition of a hanging shelf with integrated LED lighting to elevate the space. From the team at Poggenpohl Chelsea

Our bifold countertop units and pocket doors are a refined response for this desired aesthetic, bringing the best of both worlds. With the gentle glide of a Poggenpohl pocket door, the kitchen can transform to reveal a workstation, bar or breakfast cupboard, but allow the flexibility of shutting the mess away for those who prefer a cleaner aesthetic.

Poggenpohl bi-fold countertop unit, from the team at Poggenpohl Hampstead. This offers flexible storage for those who don’t want items like toasters and food processors on display but need them close at hand, with power points behind

For many customers, less is more. Closed cabinetry can offer calm. It creates an elegant uniformity, concealing the realities of daily life behind seamless, minimalist surfaces. Clutter-free, it’s ideal for those who value a clean, composed look while also keeping contents safe from dust, grease, and curious eyes. Offering a cohesive design, it also supports the desire for a uniform look.

Here's a calming design, from the team at Poggenpohl Hampstead, where the cabinets conceal all pots and pans, creating a clean aesthetic

The pantry unit is a masterclass in purposeful design. Historically hidden behind a door, with thick stone shelves to ensure food stayed fresher for longer, pantries can now be a design statement as well as a practical area for store-cupboard essentials. Display shelving pair with concealed drawers, and interior lighting, helping to keep less desirable essentials discreetly hidden. Immensely versatile, it’s a stunning example of balance, where open and closed storage coexist.

Showing the versatility of storage on offer from Poggenpohl, here the designer has created a partition, visible but separated, for a perfect pantry with Crittall Style glazing

Poggenpohl’s ‘Showcase’ glazed cabinets, with elegant illumination, serve to perfectly house items for dinner service, especially when planned next to the dining table.

Poggenpohl Showcase cabinets use bronze mirror glass to throw light around the space, highlighting carefully chosen items or glassware, as seen here from Poggenpohl St Albans

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Visit one of our studios to experience the versatility of products on offer, from pocket doors to open shelving, to glazed pantries. Let our design experts help you craft a kitchen that’s not just beautiful, but works perfectly for you.

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