Should I keep upper cabinets or go open shelving in NB?

In New Brunswick's climate, upper cabinets are almost always the better long-term choice — but open shelving can work beautifully in the right situation with the right expectations.

This is one of the most common questions in kitchen design right now, and the honest answer is that NB's Maritime climate adds a layer of consideration that most online advice (written for drier or more stable climates) completely ignores.

The Case for Keeping Upper Cabinets

NB's summer humidity is the biggest factor here. From June through September, indoor humidity regularly climbs to 60-70%, and kitchens are already the most moisture-rich room in the house. Open shelving means your dishes, glasses, and everyday items are fully exposed to that humidity — and to the cooking grease, steam, and airborne particles that come with a working kitchen. Dishes on open shelves in a humid NB kitchen need wiping down regularly or they'll feel grimy within weeks.

Upper cabinets also give you something genuinely valuable: enclosed storage that protects your belongings and keeps the kitchen looking tidy without constant effort. In a family kitchen where the counters already attract clutter, removing upper cabinets often creates visual chaos rather than the clean, airy look you see in design magazines.

When Open Shelving Makes Sense in NB

Open shelving works best in kitchens where it's used selectively — one or two shelves flanking a window, for example, rather than replacing all upper storage. If you have a well-ventilated kitchen with a properly ducted range hood (venting outside, not recirculating), humidity is more manageable. Floating shelves in a dry area away from the stove and sink, holding items you use daily, are a reasonable compromise.

Material choice matters too. Solid wood shelves handle NB's humidity swings better than MDF, which will swell and sag over time if moisture gets to it. Sealed hardwood or painted solid wood with proper wall anchoring is the way to go if you do choose open shelving.

The Practical Reality

Most NB homeowners who go full open shelving end up missing their upper cabinets within a year or two. The dusting, the grease film, the pressure to keep everything Instagram-perfect — it adds up. A popular middle ground right now is glass-front upper cabinets: you get the open, airy look while keeping your items protected from humidity and cooking residue. It's the best of both worlds for a Maritime kitchen.

If storage is your concern and you're considering open shelving to make a small kitchen feel bigger, there are better solutions — a lighter paint colour on uppers, under-cabinet lighting, or removing just one section of uppers over a peninsula to open sightlines.

Practical tip: Before committing, live with one open shelf for a season. Put your everyday dishes on it and see how you feel about the maintenance after a humid NB summer. That real-world test will tell you more than any design inspiration board.

If you're weighing this as part of a larger renovation, New Brunswick Kitchens can match you with a local kitchen renovator who can walk through your specific layout and give you an honest recommendation — get matched for free through the New Brunswick Construction Network.