Glass cabinet inserts represent an ideal compromise between solid cabinetry and open shelving. They keep out dust and debris yet help to open up a kitchen visually and showcase dishware and decorative items. And today we have more choices than ever for choosing the glass itself—transparent, frosted, textured, seeded or leaded, just to name a few. Pros: can add openness and light and even a touch of femininity to the space. Cons: you may have to invest in matching dishes, and learn to keep them neat and organized.

Open kitchen shelving can be practical, but can also be seriously messy! While it is often a feature of more casual kitchen design, this element now finds itself in the sleekest and most modern kitchens. In fact, more and more, kitchens of all styles are successfully incorporating the lived-in feel of a true “working space.” Pros: open shelving can make a small kitchen look much larger, and it’s a great way to decorate, often putting functional pieces on display in an artistic way. Cons: all those plastic stadium cups and souvenir pint glasses are going to have to be stashed in the lower cabinets.