Glass Kitchen Cabinets Are Like Open Shelving, Without the Dust

A lot goes into picking the right cupboard fronts. You want something that suits your style as well as your practical needs; something that walks the fine line between form and function. Might we suggest glass kitchen cabinets? Somewhere between open shelving and closed-door cubbies, they let you put your favorite plates and glassware on display without racking up dust. After all, you didn’t spend months tracking down the perfect set of vintage enamelware for it to sit hidden away. 

Turns out, the design is also an incredibly versatile one: These six spaces prove just how much flexibility it provides, beyond simply modern farmhouse. 

For a Modern Moment

Take a cue from Naked Kitchens and cover your uppers in textured glass, along with a mod circular hook to slide them open. The lack of bells and whistles keeps it feeling sleek; emerald green paint is basically the only splashy statement you need anyway. 

For a Traditional Touch 

You can’t go wrong with Shaker-style cupboards—particularly when they double as an entertaining station. Photographer Sunny Shokrae wanted something pared back for her Brooklyn kitchen (to offset the bold blues and reds that pepper the rest of the townhouse) and chose an off-white hue to complement the panes. 

For a Mixed Medium 

Break up the monotony of regular fronts with a line of glass kitchen cabinets up top, as seen in this Shea McGee–designed space. It’s a great way to tiptoe into the look and give your home some visual intrigue. Keep your valuable heirlooms safely stored in the top rack, where they can be admired from afar but won’t be at arm’s reach for prying little hands. 

For a Color-Blocked Corner

Why not use your storage as a way to bring a pop of color to your home? We love DeVol Kitchens’s combo of berry and green, and it got us thinking about other palettes to try. Rust and cobalt? Apricot and olive? The possibilities are endless and the risk is low when all you need is a pot of paint to revamp the cupboards. 

For a Peek of Plates

We all have favorites; display yours judiciously. That’s the thinking behind this teal room from Commune Design, where we can only assume closed doors hide a jumble of appliances and mismatched dishes, while the clear side shows off the chicest bowls and stemware from the homeowner’s collection. 

For a Rustic Retreat

Anthony D’Argenzio snapped a shot of this little butler’s pantry, and it has all the makings of a charming nook: Butcher block counters? Check. Zellige tile backsplash? Check. Simple white cabinets that highlight a medley of vintage cookware and copper pots? Check, check, check. It may be a tiny area, but it packs a big punch. 

See more kitchen cabinet ideas: 5 Upper Kitchen Cabinet Designs to Fuel Your Reno Dreams So You’re Thinking About Painting the Kitchen Cabinets Yourself 7 Ways to Hack the IKEA Kitchen Cabinet Door