I Discovered Open Shelving That’s Actually Easy to Keep Clean (Designers Love It!)

In my decade-plus of working at design magazines, I’ve never fully understood the appeal of open shelving in kitchens. Like many pro interior designers, I worry they’re a potential pain point because they need constant maintenance — one hectic day, and suddenly everything is cluttered with no way to conceal it. I often see tips from organizers advising limiting or downsizing how many items you store on open shelves to make them more manageable, but I feel that can be counterintuitive for people living in cramped spaces (why bother, right?).

A recent Apartment Therapy home tour of a fully renovated studio in Brooklyn, though, has me convinced that I need to reframe the concept of open shelving. The family living in this 530-square-foot apartment found a way to utilize an open shelf in their tiny kitchen: by creating a custom backsplash with a ledge. Now that I’ve seen it myself, I think this is the best way to incorporate open shelving in any modern kitchen renovation. 

The kitchen in Jordan Smith’s studio apartment was gutted with the help of a contractor, who helped them install a stunning Calacatta Macchia Vecchia marble countertop and backsplash. But because the piece was custom-cut for their kitchen, Smith and her husband worked with their contractor to add a custom feature: a top ledge. Designers may also refer to this feature as a “spice” or “plate” ledge, a narrow ridge that’s often used to store essentials. In this case, Smith chose to personalize it with a bit of style versus straight function.

When I saw this feature, it struck me — this is the best way to approach open shelving. Because it’s limited to a single ledge versus multiple shelves, you’re forced to decide which items are most important to you. And it’s harder to create clutter when you can’t overload more than one shelf. Some people may choose to put cooking essentials, oils, and spices in this spot, which is great. But others, like Smith, may choose to add a softer, feminine layer of decor: a place for family heirlooms, beloved cookbooks, or even art. I feel like organizers would love that a backsplash “shelf” gives you the utility of open shelving — and designers would love that it’s a space that’s more ethereal than just straight function.

Whether you choose to elongate your own design into a fuller shelf — or simply adopt a similar plate ledge as the Smiths did in their home — this beautiful feature is a win in more ways than one. Sure, it provides you with an opportunity to add more function and style to your kitchen in your own way, but it also allows you to install storage elsewhere. I love that you can emulate the look of open shelving with this feature but still have the physical room to install traditional kitchen cabinetry elsewhere. Now you have double the storage and won’t have to choose between open shelving or cabinets; you can have a bit of both! 

That’s exactly what the Smiths did in their Brooklyn kitchen. There’s still cabinetry at play on the flip side of the space (seen here). They strategically chose to install their backsplash ledge in a space that allowed them to decorate above their sink and store a few oven essentials (hello, olive oil!). And in their cabinetry, bulk ingredients and tools are concealed without worries of creating any visual clutter that open shelving has earned a reputation for.

I won’t lie — this solution definitely is costly and likely best executed when included in a blueprint for a full kitchen renovation. The Smiths were able to execute their backsplash ledge because they were buying bespoke marble for their space. But if you’re determined to replicate the concept of a plate ledge in your kitchen without spending thousands, there are a few ways to do it.

You could install a single, free-floating shelf directly above the edge of your backsplash, if you have the room (but if it’s over an open flame, be sure to opt for a safe surface, like metal!). You can also buy gadgets that help you create a faux plate ledge with zero install; this West Elm stovetop riser functions just like a plate ledge when used correctly. It could be the perfect middle-ground solution that you never knew you needed!