The Brilliant Way to Make a Bookshelf or Kitchen Cabinet Look 3x More Luxe

Looking for a striking, style-forward way to jazz up a bookshelf or transform accent cabinetry in your space? Go ahead and give perforated metal a try. This material is on the rise for 2026, according to 30% of the interior designers who completed Apartment Therapy’s recent The State of Home Design survey. 

I’m already a big fan of this look. One of the main things that sold me on my current apartment was that my living room came with a set of beautiful built-ins, which are perfect for storing my large collection of books and trinkets. Between the two built-ins, there’s a strip of pretty perforated metal, which people ask me about constantly. I love the subtle detail it adds to this area of the room. 

While my style is a mixture of traditional and eclectic, pros agree that perforated metal can complement a wide range of aesthetics. Just look at the atmospheric salon above, created by designer Leyden Lewis for the New York City Kips Bay Show House last fall. He used fully perforated doors to design the most beautiful recessed bookcases, where the ventilation diffuses the light and keeps the items on display ever so occluded. But this look isn’t reserved solely for show houses. You can absolutely put it to work in your apartment or home, if you’re looking to renovate or update your spaces. 

“Perforated metal in millwork, furniture, and the like adds another level of texture and sheen to a project,” says Meghann Van Dorn, the director of interior design at The Architectural Team. “It juxtaposes beautifully against softer finishes like upholstery, drapery, and rugs and adds a bit of an edge to any interior, from traditional to contemporary.” 

In addition to perforated metal’s eye-catching properties, Van Dorn suggests that it offers some practical advantages, too. “In media millwork, perforated metal is incredibly useful, as it allows access to media equipment from the remote, as the signal will pass through the perforated metal,” she explains. The designer recommends weaving this material into movie rooms and dens for uninterrupted tech experiences. But that’s not the only practical application. Turns out increased ventilation is at play, too.

“In kitchens, metal insets in cabinets allow air to circulate and enable a peek into what’s inside while still hiding the mess, allowing a space to feel more organized,” Van Dorn says. That’s the case with wood cabinet cut-outs, or wood kitchen cabinet vents, as well. 

Annie Kantor, the founder of Modern Metal, is all for thinking outside the box when it comes to perforated metal applications. “What makes it exciting is how versatile it can be,” she says. “Patterns, textures, and finishes can completely change how a piece feels in a space, whether it’s a room divider, a ceiling detail, or even a staircase.” 

Recently, a client contacted Kantor requesting a perforated metal staircase. “It feels perfectly on pulse with this trend,” she adds. Keep an eye out for other interesting applications, because this material is about to take over your feeds.