Open shelving photographs beautifully and gets recommended constantly — but it only works well under specific conditions.
When it works
Kitchens with consistent dishware, good ventilation away from the stove, and someone willing to keep things tidy daily.
When it doesn't
Busy households with mismatched dishware, kitchens right next to the stove where grease settles fast, or anyone who wants to just shut a cabinet door at the end of the day.
A hybrid — one open shelf, the rest closed cabinets — gets most of the visual benefit with almost none of the maintenance.