Shelf liners are something my grandmother swore by but I've never noticed them make a difference. If you have expensive crystal or China then I would maybe say go for it, but for standard dishes, it's not necessary.

and depending on the kind you're talking about, it can be a real hassle -- the rubberized kind, for example, rumples up when you slide things in and out. feh.

nay

What about using a cabinet paint on just the floors of your shelves and drawers? There is one called INSLX for Cabinets and you can get it tinted any color you like if you go to the Benjamin Moore store (mfg). It's only $14-15 per gallon and customer reviews say it has a "hard finish" and the "finish looks high-end." Plus, imagine how much pleasure you would get every time you looked at your soft stone turquoise shelf or drawer bottom.

I'm a big fan of the heavy ribbed plastic shelf liners. They protect the cabinets and the dishes. I also think they allow residual moisture to escape from dishes and glassware.

I use the squishy kind because I think they help muffle sound a little when putting stuff away. In drawers it also helps keep stuff from sliding around.

I find shelf liners are only decorative- I think they are a nice finishing touch, personally- but they offer no real use.

Shelf paper is pretty useless, Rita, but this stuff is great - not the squishy stuff - not adhesive. Easy to wipe down (unlike the squishy stuff), doesn't wrinkle, stays put and will protect your shelves without looking tacky. http://www.duckbrand.com/products/shelf-liner-bath/non-adhesive-shelf-liner/clear-12-in-x-6-ft

I've used it on any cabinets/shelves where heavy items, wear & tear etc. might be an issue. Great in the pot drawers. :)

Nay. Does it matter whether I’m wiping a liner or a shelf? ;)

Hate to say it...Ikea :) but really :(

Thanks for all the advice! I think I will skip it for all but the shelves where I might have items that would scratch the cabinets (as someone pointed out -- unfinished pottery).

I can't imagine using a kitchen without a shelf liner. I use the plastic ribbed kind usually. Keeps the shelf nice and the dishes/glassware etc aren't sitting directly on the shelf surface. It only takes a little while to put in the liner and then you are all set. I would feel the need to clean the dishes and glassware (especially) again before using if it were to be placed directly on the shelf. JMO

i use the ribbed plastic kind as well, then i dont have to worry if there is any water left of dishes and utensils when i'm putting them away. and yes, if you store glasses and mugs upside down the ribs hold them up enough to allow moisture to dry.

the shelves that i didnt put liner on (because they are open and would show) are shrubbed up a bit from the rough bottom of mugs being slid on them. its the kind of thing that does bite when you are selling.

and i have liner in the oil and vinegar cabinet, because you'll always get a drip.

Ninigret - or the honey. When someone knocks over the bottle and it turns out it wasn't completely closed and there's a puddle... so glad we had a liner I could pull out instead of having to awkwardly wipe inside the cabinet.

My kitchen cabinets were just painted. I definitely wanted a clear liner of some kind. Ended up getting the ribbed, clear liner from The Container Store. Just love it. Will have it from now on.