Are Open Plate Racks Replacing Kitchen Cabinets? Here are the Reasons I Love Mine (and why I'd Choose it Again Every Time)
Kitchen plate storage is looking a little different these days, with many of us choosing to display our dinnerware instead of disguising it behind closed doors
![A kitchen with pink cabinetry and black open shelves with open plate rack storage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TdZbYzTdJfCfBqLpp2ncVK-415-80.png)
Despite a few fleeting trends here and there, kitchen designs have remained virtually unchanged for decades. Yes, the materials and colors might switch up more frequently with the changing tides of time, but the bare bones generally remain the same - classic shaker-style cabinetry, kitchen islands that double as breakfast bars, and subway tile backsplashes, for example. That said, recent years have marked a new era of kitchens, one where upper wall cabinets are a thing of the past. Instead, open shelving wears the crown in most modern designs, and with it comes an alternative option for storing your dinner plates.
Having just renovated my small kitchen, I toyed with the idea of an open plate rack for some time. Favored by many for their European farmhouse style and, more recently, as a staple of the cottagecore aesthetic, this open dish storage idea not only offers a stylish way to display your dinnerware, but a convenient one, too. With closed cabinet units well and truly on their way out, could they be the future of modern kitchen design? Here are three reasons why I think they should be.
1. They're more aesthetically appealing
There's been much debate around whether kitchen open shelving in a kitchen is a good idea, and the same arguments of course apply to plate racks for walls. If I'm speaking from a purely aesthetic point of view, I honestly believe these open units win every time. Of course, they look a lot better when used to house your best dinnerware set, and they will require considered curation if you want to avoid a cluttered look, but with a little thought and upkeep they make a really charming addition to your kitchen.
As interior designer Nina Lichtenstein explains: 'Plate racks offer an inviting openness that showcases cherished dishware, adding a personalized touch to the kitchen.' Even if you don't want a 'matchy-matchy' look, or aren't committed to a curated styling idea, these display racks work lend themselves just as well to an eclectic style where they have a certain vintage appeal.
2. They're more convenient
Who doesn't want a more convenient kitchen, conducive to more efficient cooking? I'm one of those manic chefs who likes to improvise in the kitchen, multitasking as I go and grabbing ingredients as I please. Kitchen shelving makes that easy and, when it comes to dishing up the meal, there's nothing easier than effortlessly reaching for a plate from a rack above your head.
'With this kitchen storage idea, plates and serving pieces are readily available, making mealtime effortless and encouraging regular use of beautiful tableware,' notes Nina. 'No more rummaging through stacks of plates — each piece is neatly on display and within easy reach.' The spindles of these racks make it really easy to slot your dinner plates back once you've finished clearing up, too, and saves you from contending with toppling towers inside your cabinets.
Price: $37
Brand: Yamazaki Home
3. They're an efficient use of space
If you have a small kitchen, you should prioritize maximum utility when it comes to storage. You might see these plate racks and clunky and cumbersome, but they're actually a super efficient way to make use of vertical space and typically less deep than regular wall cabinets.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
As Nina explains: 'Plate racks utilize vertical wall space efficiently, freeing up cabinet space for other kitchen essentials.' Take your dinner plates out of your lower cabinets and you'll immediately gain amble room for more food storage or less aesthetic kitchenware such as pots and pans.
What are the disadvantages of plate racks?
Of course, open plate rack units do have their downsides. For a start, they're exposed, meaning your plates can quickly become greasy and grimy if your kitchen isn't ventilated properly. 'Plate racks can also attract dust more easily than closed cabinets, requiring frequent cleaning,' says Nina. 'And of course, open racks offer less protection against accidental damage compared to closed cabinets, posing a risk in busy households.' If you are going to commit to this trendy way to store dishes in a kitchen, be prepared for a little more commitment and be sure to take extra care.
Why are plate racks in style?
With their vintage, old-timey aesthetic, you might be wondering whether plate racks are actually in style at all. But, as we know, what goes around comes back around.
'In our era of open-concept living and the rise of farmhouse and rustic aesthetics, plate racks offer a charming blend of practicality and style,' notes Nina. 'They evoke a sense of nostalgia, reflecting a desire to bring back elements of simpler times into modern living spaces. Moreover, plate racks encourage creativity in kitchen decor, enabling homeowners to turn functional storage into a visually captivating focal point.'
In recent years, there's also been a definitive move toward the kitchen as a convivial living space, rather than just a clinical, culinary one. Just like the rest of the home, these spaces should be an extension of our personalities, and with the opportunity for curative styling, this storage idea offers just that. 'This trend represents a shift towards kitchens that are not just functional, but also personal and expressive — a celebration of both culinary heritage and contemporary design sensibilities,' says Nina. 'As homeowners seek authenticity and warmth in their living spaces, plate racks are appearing as a quintessential element, bringing the heart of the kitchen to life.
The jury's still out on whether or not open plate racks will replace regular kitchen wall cabinets, but in my own home, they certainly have.
Don't forget the finishing touches
Lilith Hudson is the Color & Trends Editor at Livingetc. Writing news, features, and explainers for our digital platform, she's the go-to person for all the latest micro-trends, interior hacks, and color inspiration you need in your home. Lilith discovered a love for lifestyle journalism during her BA in English and Philosophy at the University of Nottingham where she spent more time writing for her student magazine than she did studying. After graduating, she decided to take things a step further and now holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London, with previous experience at the Saturday Times Magazine, Evening Standard, DJ Mag, and The Simple Things Magazine. At weekends you'll find her renovating a tiny one-up, one-down annex next to her Dad's holiday cottage in the Derbyshire dales where she applies all the latest design ideas she's picked up through the week.
-
The 5 Art and Design Exhibitions in London That Are on Our Culture Editor's Radar Right Now
From public art installations to design-centric group shows, this selection of creative events open in the British capital will immerse you in the breadth of its cultural scene in and outside of traditional gallery spaces
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
Before and After — This Kansas Kitchen Went From Dark and Dated to Open and Bright, Here's How
Thanks to Forward Design Architecture, this once-old-fashioned kitchen now feels breezy and is wonderfully connected to the home's primary rooms
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari Published
-
7 Shower Trends That Are Setting the Tone for Relaxing, Creative Bathrooms in 2024
The trends in enclosures, fixtures, materials and more than inspiring modern showers right now, according to interior designers
By Faaizah Shah Published
-
Architects Are Embracing "Porthole" Windows Right Now — And They Make for Such Joyful Spaces
Indulging contemporary architecture’s love affair with soft curves, porthole windows bring whimsy and major wow-factor to modern interiors
By Keith Flanagan Published
-
5 Lessons We Learned From the Reese Witherspoon Kitchen Organization Makeover with The Home Edit
These basic yet essential organizational tips will leave you with a stunningly organized kitchen and have you saying: 'What? Like, it’s hard?'
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
Forget "Overstyled" Beds — The Big Bedding Trends to Embrace Instead in 2024 Have One Thing in Common
If your bedding is starting to look a little bit tired, these are the on-trend styles designers recommend replacing it with
By Emma Breislin Published
-
11 Front Door Trends That Set the Tone for a Classy Home — Materials, Colors and Styles Architects Love Now
The front doors you'll find on the best-looking new builds and remodels right now — try these ideas to up your home's curb appeal
By Faaizah Shah Published
-
5 Mistakes People Make That Lead to a Cluttered Backyard — And How to Avoid It
Help your backyard reach its full potential this summer by following these expert approved decluttering tips
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
Glass Coffee Tables are the Hottest Decor Trend Right Now — And They've Been Given a Modern Twist
Coffee tables made entirely of glass - often with hints of color - are the chic new trend that designers are loving right now
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
9 Summer Color Palettes Designers Are Using in 2024 — "Think of Wisteria and Lilac Flowers"
Summer color palettes will last you all year - if you use the same shades as designers love they'll fill your home with a sense of sunshine that never goes behind a cloud
By Pip Rich Published