30 Best Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas That Maximize Your Space
Get inspired to decorate and stay organized.
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The trend of open shelving in the kitchen is here to stay. And although gorgeous, you might quick to rule it out for yourself: Maybe you're worried about having enough to fill them, or you don't know quite how to style the shelves, or you're just worried about how to install them. We're here to help—and show you the beauty that open shelves can add to your kitchen, no matter its size or style.
These open shelving kitchen ideas can instantly add depth and make a room feel more inviting, whether you're restyling your kitchen decor or just improving of your pantry organization setup. And you can customize the shelves as you need for kitchen storage. Just look at the way Ree Drummond utilizes open shelves: in The Lodge they offer a perfect place to stash her cookbooks, while in her new house, they add a decorative edge to her hooded stovetop.
You'll find plenty of examples that show open shelving is suitable for both casual decorators or design-oriented homeowners. Many of these shelves are natural wood, which are perfect for displaying antiques or everyday bowls, plates, and cups. Or, you might be inspired by the kitchen with custom gold shelves framing the stove, decorated with thoughtful pieces. Either way, shelves are a great way to maximize your space no matter the size. And once you read these ideas, you'll feel much more confident about applying this kitchen trend to your own home.
Even more kitchen inspiration ahead:
Stack Your Cookware
Hanging pots and pans makes them easier to reach when you go to cook. But what if you have more pots than hooks? Use the shelves above it to stack more! It's so pretty when your cookware matches, too.
Frame Your Stove
If you have a stove hood, it might be hard to put shelves up directly over your cooktop. But do what Ree Drummond did in her new house: frame the sides with extra shelves to utilize the extra space.
Go Vertical
While most ideas you'll see take up a lot of horizontal space, if you don't have it, don't fret! Even a narrow spot in your kitchen can offer a lot of extra space if you go vertical. Go from the floor to the ceiling!
Add an Edge to Your Backsplash
When Ree and her sister Betsy redesigned Sister House, they added a lip to the backsplash over the stove. Not only does it give a finished look, but it doubles as a shallow shelf to display pictures and keep your salt and pepper handy.
Mix Shelving Usage
Especially if you've got a small space, don't be afraid to mix the shelf storage to maximize your needs. Stack your everyday plates and cups on one, your go-to pantry staples on another, and even add a few decorations to personalize.
Hang a Shelf Over the Stove
Hang a long decorative shelf over your stove, just like Ree Drummond has in her kitchen at The Lodge. This shelf is hung with rope and used to display colorful dinnerware.
Display Appliances
Steal Ree's style by using your shelves to show off your favorite kitchen appliances, as she does here in her pantry. You're likely to use them more often when they're so easy to access.
Display Your Utensils
With open shelves, function is a top priority! Use them to display the items you reach for on a daily basis, like your favorite cooking utensils.
Make a Pantry Display
Glass jars keep oats, herbs, pasta, and cereal fresh and look super cute lined up together. Plus, they're the perfect excuse to design your own adorable labels jar labels.
Add Hints of Copper
Add copper accents on your shelves for a touch of rustic glam. These look even better against an emerald green backsplash.
See more at Justina Blakeney.
Display Antiques
Open shelves are a perfect opportunity to show off your favorite antiques. These silver platters, glass bowls, and wooden boards look beautiful on display together.
Add Ambient Lighting
Showcase your beautiful dishware with lights like an art gallery! While this blogger talks about under cabinet lighting, her DIY lights can easily be applied to open shelves.
See more at Thrifty Decor Chick.
Layer Plates
If you have plates that aren't often seen, go ahead and use them to fill your shelves. A row of equally colorful cookbooks will add an extra pop.
Color Coordinate Dishes
Color coordinating will make your whole kitchen look more cohesive. Assign each open shelf a distinct color, or use an overall color scheme like blue, green, and teal.
Install Hanging Hooks
Hooks are a great way to maximize space and add cute decoration to your kitchen. You can either install a wall-mounted rack with S hooks or use a few slide-on hooks. They're perfect for hanging utensils or strings of garlic!
Make a Bar Nook
Implement open shelving for a bar nook in your kitchen, like Ladd's brother Tim and his wife Missy did in their home.
Spruce Up a Corner
Make the most of the wall space in your kitchen by adding open shelving in a corner, as Ree did in the kitchen at The Lodge. A variety of colorful dinnerware is on display that's both visually appealing and useful.
Arrange Potted Plants
A few colorful potted plants will immediately brighten up your shelves. Plants work with any type of décor!
Use Live-Edge Floating Shelves
Installing these floating shelves instantly transforms a kitchen wall. The live-edge shelves pair beautifully with white dinnerware and a selection of plants.
See more at DIY in PDX.
Keep It Simple
These wood shelves match the butcher block below. Don't worry about how you arrange your dishes or glasses—anything goes!
Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
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