Open shelving can be a beautiful and functional addition to any kitchen. When done right, open shelves create a casual, inviting atmosphere and provide easy access to frequently used cooking essentials. However, open shelving also comes with some drawbacks that need to be considered. Selecting the right location, materials, and styling is key to creating open shelves that truly enhance a kitchen.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 9 stunning kitchens where open shelving has been implemented successfully. We’ll analyze what makes the open shelving work in each space and provide tips for integrating open shelves into your own kitchen. From minimalist designs to rustic charm, these kitchens demonstrate how open shelves can establish the aesthetic in a cooking space when thoughtfully executed.
Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen
This bright and airy farmhouse kitchen uses open shelving made from reclaimed wood planks. The natural light wood tone and visible plank lines create a casual rustic vibe. The shelves host a thoughtful display of white dishware, providing pleasing contrast against the wood.
What Makes It Work
- The reclaimed wood shelves match the rustic farmhouse aesthetic
- White dishware pops against the wood background
- Shelves are styled neatly so contents don’t appear cluttered
- Frequently used essentials are handy on the open shelves
- Lower cabinets provide concealed storage for less visually appealing items
Tips for Your Kitchen
- If your kitchen is farmhouse, reclaimed wood open shelves are a great choice
- Display everyday white dishware for an approachable feel
- Keep shelves looking tidy by only displaying your prettiest cooking essentials
- Utilize lower cabinets to house bulky appliances and cooking tools
Bold Black Shelves
This contemporary kitchen takes a daring approach to open shelving with bold black metal open shelves spanning an entire wall. The dark shelves pop against the light wood cabinetry and walls. Carefully styled decor like vases and antique cake stands add visual intrigue.
What Makes It Work
- The dark metal shelves provide striking contrast
- Stylish decorative objects mix with dishware for eclectic styling
- Everyday dishes like white plates complement the dark shelves
- The shelves help create separation from the living space
- Lower cabinets offer concealed storage
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Black metal or wood shelves make a dramatic style statement
- Curate a mix of dishes, glassware, and decor for the shelves
- Choose plates in a color that complements the shelf color
- Position open shelves to help define the kitchen within an open concept home
Rustic Modern Farmhouse
This inviting kitchen features a built-in wood shelf unit that provides open and closed storage. The mix of wood tones and black accents creates a modern farmhouse vibe. Open shelves display stoneware dishes for a rustic touch. The bottom cabinets offer concealed storage.
What Makes it Work
- The wood unit is customized to the space for a built-in look
- Both open and closed storage is provided
- Simple pottery gives shelves a rustic modern feel
- Black accents provide modern edge
- Displays are kept minimal to avoid clutter
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Consider a customized built-in shelving unit for a custom look
- Include a mix of open and closed storage to corral clutter
- Style shelves with handmade ceramics or stoneware for rustic style
- Add black metal accents for an edgier look
- Edit shelf displays frequently so they don’t start looking messy
Neutral Modern Kitchen
This kitchen features a wall of Restoration Hardware-style oak open shelves that provide plenty of display space. The neutral wood shelves and cage lights complement the kitchen’s sleek modern aesthetic. The shelves display a thoughtful mix of woven baskets, greenery, white dishes, and decor.
What Makes it Work
- Industrial style wood shelves match modern aesthetic
- Abundant styling looks curated but not too cluttered
- Woven baskets corral items out of sight
- Plants and greenery soften the industrial vibe
- Mix of white dishes, glassware, and decor
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Choose metal or wood shelves with an industrial modern vibe
- Style shelves to look abundant but not messy
- Incorporate baskets for concealed storage
- Add lots of plants for a fresh look
- Mix dishes, glassware, and decor for interest
Classic Farmhouse Kitchen
This light and airy kitchen features classic farmhouse styling. Open shelves flanking the range display a simple collection of white ironstone pitchers and platters. The crisp white dishes pop against the wood shelves and muted tile backsplash.
What Makes it Work
- White ironstone dishes provide classic farmhouse style
- The uncluttered shelves keep displays looking tidy
- Pitchers are visually pleasing and highly functional
- Open shelves integrate seamlessly into the design
- Lower cabinets offer plenty of concealed storage
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Opt for classic white ironstone or porcelain for open shelves
- Edit shelf displays so they appear clean and organized
- Incorporate pretty pitchers that are useful for cooking
- Choose shelf placement that complements the overall design
- Have plenty of closed cabinetry for messy items
Boho Kitchen
This bohemian kitchen features open shelves constructed out of blackened steel pipes with wood slabs. The unique DIY shelves provide character and display space. The shelves include a fun mix of colorful Glassware, greenery and a collection of white plates.
What Makes it Work
- The black pipe shelves reflect boho aesthetic
- A variety of materials and colors create eclectic styling
- Plants help soften the industrial pipes
- White plates pop against the black pipes
- Lower cabinets offer concealed storage
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Black pipe shelves can provide an edgy boho vibe on a budget
- Play with a mix of materials like wood, metal, ceramic
- Greenery livens up industrial shelving
- Add pops of white dishware to allow items to stand out
- Have lower cabinets for containing clutter
Bright Eclectic Kitchen
This vibrant kitchen features an eclectic mix of open and closed storage. One wall includes floor to ceiling mint green cabinets. On the adjacent wall, open shelves display pretty dishware. The green shelves provide a cheery pop of color.
What Makes it Work
- Open shelves balance out all the closed cabinetry
- The mint shelves inject youthful color into the space
- Styling is a fun mix of white dishes, greenery and cork boards
- Lower cabinets prevent clutter on the open shelves
- Contents are edited so shelves don’t feel too busy
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Open shelves can provide visual relief from cabinetry
- Choose a colorful shelf that reflects your personality
- Style shelves with dishware, plants, boards, and functional items
- Use lower cabinets for containing most items out of sight
- Edit styling so shelves feel useful but not cluttered
Modern Glam Kitchen
This kitchen exudes contemporary glamour with its marble-look countertops and hexagon tile backsplash. Stylish brass open shelves provide display space for a curated collection of barware and ceramics. The metal shelves add industrial edge against the glam finishes.
What Makes it Work
- Sleek metal shelves inject modern edge
- Barware and ceramics feel glamorous on display
- Hexagon tile backsplash complements shelf styling
- Streamlined shelves don’t detract from the luxurious finishes
- Lower cabinetry keeps countertops free of clutter
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Sleek metal shelves provide a modern complement to glam kitchens
- Opt for barware, glassware or ceramics to display
- Choose a showstopping backsplash like hexagon tile
- Edit shelf displays so they don’t compete with other finishes
- Have ample concealed storage for small appliances
Industrial Loft Kitchen
This urban kitchen features industrial-style shelves made from blackened steel pipes with wood accents. The no-fuss shelves provide plenty of display space in the small kitchen. Everyday white dishes mixed with green plants soften the rugged metal shelves.
What Makes it Work
- Industrial shelves fit the urban loft aesthetic
- Shelves maximize display space in small kitchen
- Everyday white dishes contrast the metal
- Plants add freshness to the industrial vibe
- Lower cabinets conceal less visually appealing items
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Black pipe shelves create industrial edge on a budget
- Open shelving provides display space in small kitchens
- White dishes pop against darker metal finishes
- Greenery helps soften the utilitarian vibe
- Use lower cabinets for bulky appliance storage
Midcentury Modern Kitchen
This kitchen channels midcentury style with its mix of wood cabinetry and eye-catching wood and brass open shelves. The unique shelf shape adds architectural interest while providing plenty of display space for glassware and ceramics. The open shelves introduce warmth to the sleek space.
What Makes it Work
- The unique brass shelves provide midcentury style
- Glassware and ceramics suit the retro vibe
- Open shelves inject warmth into the modern space
- Shelves don’t detract from the shapely cabinetry
- Countertops remain clutter free
Tips for Your Kitchen
- Add sculptural wood or brass shelves for midcentury flair
- Opt for barware, glassware and ceramics to display
- Open shelves can provide coziness in a sleek kitchen
- Choose shelves that complement the cabinets
- Use lower cabinets to contain small appliances
FAQ
What are the benefits of open shelves in kitchens?
Some benefits of open shelves in kitchens include:
- Provide easy access to frequently used cooking items
- Create a casual, inviting aesthetic
- Offer plenty of display space for dishes, decor and more
- Allow you to show off your prettiest dishware and glassware
- Help make small kitchens feel more open and airy
What are the downsides to open shelves in kitchens?
Some potential downsides of open shelves in kitchens include:
- They require frequent styling and cleaning to keep looking neat
- Items on display can collect dust more easily
- Ambient heat and grease may damage some shelf contents
- Items may appear cluttered if shelves aren’t thoughtfully styled
- No noise insulation like with closed cabinets
What items should you avoid storing on open shelves in kitchens?
Items to avoid storing on open shelves include:
- Small appliances like stand mixers or blenders
- Knife blocks or loose knives
- Cutting boards or baking sheets
- Oils or other cooking products
- Spices (due to heat/light exposure)
- Dish towels or rags
- Cleaning products
- Anything you don’t want on full display!
How can you style open shelves successfully?
Tips for styling open shelves well:
- Curate shelves – only display your prettiest items
- Create visual interest by mixing dishes, cookbooks, plants etc
- Incorporate baskets or boxes to corral clutter
- Change up styling seasonally
- Keep displays minimal and edited
- Avoid overloading shelves
- Dust shelves and contents frequently
What finish should you choose for open shelves?
Consider finishes like:
- Wood (stained, reclaimed, whitewashed)
- Blackened steel
- Brass
- White lacquer
- Colored paint
Choose a finish that matches your kitchen’s overall aesthetic.
Conclusion
When thoughtfully executed, open shelving can make a major style statement and provide functional display space in kitchens. If considering open shelves, pay attention to material, placement, styling, and editing shelf contents frequently. Focus shelves in areas that complement your kitchen design, avoid overloading them, and choose finishes that align with your overall aesthetic. With proper implementation, open shelves invite functionality and elegance to cooking spaces.
