Explore 70+ Inspiring Kitchen Design Open Shelves Most Outstanding In 2023

Open shelving is a great way to add a unique style and character to your kitchen. It is also an effective way to showcase your favorite cooking utensils and dishes, without covering up the entire wall with cabinets. To ensure you make the most out of your kitchen design open shelves, here are ten tips to follow.

Tip 1: Keep it Light - Open shelving works best in lighter colors since the shelves are visible. Choose lighter colors for a brighter and airier atmosphere. You can choose to paint your shelves with a subtle color or opt for a natural wood finish to add warmth to your kitchen.

Tip 2: Show Off Your Style – Whether you have a traditional or modern style or even a more eclectic look, open shelving can help you showcase your taste. You can highlight your homemade cookware or utensils, or even a collection of your favorite things. Mix and match different items to create a unique look for your kitchen.

Tip 3: Optimize Storage – Open shelving is very versatile when it comes to storage. You can use it to store small things like spices or tea cups in a way that is both functional and attractive. For larger items, consider using different levels of shelving or hanging hooks and racks to use vertical space in the best way possible.

Tip 4: Respect the Balance – One of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a kitchen design with open shelves is the balance of your decor. Make sure your shelves don’t feel too cluttered and have a few empty spaces to allow the eye to rest.

Tip 5: Incorporate Lights – Lights can really bring your shelves to life and illuminate specific areas of the kitchen. Consider using soft lighting such as spotlights or LED lights to accent the shelves.

Tip 6: Mount Wisely – Be aware of the weight and size of the items you want to store on the shelves before you mount them. Strong and flat mounting screws such as cross head screws are good if you want to keep your shelves sturdy.

Tip 7: Choose the Right Wood – Choose a good quality wood or metal if you opt for a natural finish. Select incontrovertible woods such as poplar if you want something with a more rustic look. Oak and walnut are also popular choices for open shelving.

Tip 8: Make it Functional – Open shelves don’t necessarily have to be purely decorative. Consider using open shelves as an easy way to access items you need on a regular basis. You can use it to store commonly used spices, tea, coffee, and other items that you need regularly.

Tip 9: Tone It Down – An overload of items on open shelves can take away from their beauty. If you find yourself cramming your shelves too full, try to tone it down. Pick items that match the style of your kitchen, or use storage boxes to hide all the clutter.

Tip 10: Treat Yourself – Don’t be afraid to treat your shelves to some style. Include eye-catching decor pieces such as vases and plants to make the shelves stand out and bring a fresh vibe to your kitchen.

Open shelving can be a great way to make your kitchen look bigger and brighter. You can display the items you want to show off, without having to cover the full wall with cabinets. With the right use of open kitchen shelves design, you can make the illusion of a larger kitchen with those coveted extra inches.

Declutter - Decluttering is a must with open shelving. Storing items such as cookbooks, kitchen canisters, and small appliances can quickly lead to a cluttered look. Try to group items that are similar in size and shape to create an organized and attractive look.

Choose Clean Colors - Choosing lighter colors for your shelves can help to open up the space. Lighter colors will reflect more light, making your kitchen appear more spacious and bright. If you want to add a bit of color, use colored kitchen utensils, towels, and decorative vases, instead of painting the shelves.

Make it the Focal Point – You can use open shelving as the focal point of your kitchen. The eye-catching display can make a bold statement and draw attention away from any smaller kitchen areas. To make it the showcase of the kitchen, try using decorative chairs and dining sets.

Keep It Neat – Keeping your kitchen clutter-free is key to making your kitchen look bigger. Purchase only the items you need and store them away in designated storage spaces. A neat and organized kitchen will also make the shelves look more stylish. Try keeping extra items and supplies stored away in drawers, baskets, and other organized cabinets.

Open shelving is a great way to show off your favorite items in the kitchen and also create more space. It’s a great way to make the most out of a small kitchen, but it can be difficult to know how to design a kitchen around open shelves. Here are some top tips to help you optimize your open shelving kitchen design.

Choose Your Shelves Carefully – The best thing about open shelves is that you can choose from an array of materials, sizes, and styles. Consider the weight and size of the items you’ll be storing on the shelves and make sure to choose something sturdy and strong. Select natural woods such as oak, poplar, or walnut for a traditional style, or use metal or glass shelves for a more modern feel.

Create Balance - When designing with open shelves, it’s important to create balance. Group items of a similar size and color together and use trays or boxes to store smaller items. Make sure to keep the shelves free of clutter to allow the eye to rest. If you have too many items, try using hanging racks or rails to free up some space.

Use Vertical Space – Vertical space is one of the best ways to maximize space in a small kitchen. Make the most out of your shelves by using vertical space. Hang hooks to hang utensils or use drawers and shelves of different heights to create a more dynamic look.

Go Beyond the Kitchen – Open shelving doesn’t just have to be used for kitchen items. Consider displaying trinkets or pieces of art in the kitchen or using it as a makeshift wine rack. These small additions can really add to the overall design of the kitchen.

Organize by Color – To make your shelves look more visual appealing, consider organizing your items by color. Use color coordinated items such as dishes and cups to create a cohesive look. If you’re using boxes to store items, make sure to label them with the same color.

Choosing the right open shelves for your kitchen design can be a difficult decision to make. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect shelves for your kitchen:

Decide On a Style – Before you choose a shelf, decide on the overall style of your kitchen. Will it be traditional, modern, or something else? This will help you choose shelves that fit in with your overall kitchen design.

Measure Carefully – Before you purchase any shelves, make sure you measure the wall and make sure the shelves will fit. You should also consider the depth of the shelves and make sure they are not too deep for your space.

Choose the Right Finish – Special coatings can help make the shelves look more stylish. Some finishes to consider include lacquered, stained, or painted. Make sure to choose a finish that suits the style of your kitchen.

Choose the Right Hardware – You need to make sure the shelves you choose are strong and sturdy enough to hold whatever items you’ll be storing on them. Opt for thicker shelves to make sure they can handle your items and use good quality screws or hardware to mount them securely.

Open shelving is a great way to make a stylish statement in your kitchen. The shelves can be both functional and attractive and a great way to showcase your cooking utensils and dishes. Here are some tips to help make the most out of your kitchen open shelves designs.

Choose an Interesting Design - Don’t be afraid to choose an interesting design for your shelves. You can opt for an unusual shape, color, or material to make the shelves stand out. Consider adding decorative touches such as trim, paint, or even wallpaper to give the shelves more of a decorative feel.

Choose a Good Quality Material – Make sure to choose a good quality material that is strong enough to hold whatever items you’ll be storing on the shelves. You should also consider the finish of the material and how it will impact the overall look of your kitchen.

Combine Open Shelves with Cabinets – Open shelves and cabinets can be a great combination for a kitchen design. You can use the cabinets to hide items that you don’t want to display. But you can also make sure that the shelves and cabinets work together and add to the overall look of the kitchen.

Keep It Neat – Keeping the shelves neat and clutter free is an important part of open shelving. Group items that are similar in size and style to avoid too much clutter. Try to use boxes and containers to keep smaller items organized and easily accessible.

Small kitchens can often feel cramped, so it’s important to make the most out of the space you have. Open shelving is a great way to create storage space and make the kitchen look larger and brighter. Here are some tips to help make the most out of small kitchen open shelves designs.

Don’t Overwhelm Your Shelves – When opting for open shelves in a small kitchen, it’s important to not overcrowd them. Too many items can make the shelves feel cramped and take away from the overall design of the kitchen. Try to tone it down and group similar items together for a neater look.

Add Color Without Committing – You can add color to your shelves without having to commit to a certain color or style. Choose colorful kitchen towels or display some bright dishes or utensils on the shelves to make them stand out. You can also use wall decals to give the shelves more of a decorative look.

Think Vertical – Vertically arranged shelves make the most out of any small kitchen. Hang up items such as pans or cutting boards on the walls to give the kitchen more of a spacious look. You can also mount shelves higher up on the wall to get the most out of the space.

Choose Functions Pieces – Make sure to choose fewer pieces that serve multiple purposes. You can opt for furniture that doubles as storage space such as a kitchen island or a cart to make the most out of a small kitchen.

Open shelving is a great way to add a unique touch to your kitchen design while creating a functional and efficient storage space. Here are some ideas to help maximize your kitchen design with open shelves.

Add Height – You can add height to your kitchen design by mounting shelves higher up on the wall. You can use the top shelves to display items such as cookbooks or even pot plants to create a focal point in the kitchen.

Mix Up Materials – Don’t be afraid to mix up different materials. Consider combining open shelves with a few cabinets or drawers to create a unique look. You can also mix wood and metal shelves to give the kitchen a contemporary feel.

Create Zones – Try to create zones in your kitchen by grouping items that match together. This will help you organize your shelves in a way that is both functional and visually pleasing.

Create a Seamless Look – Make sure to create a seamless look between your shelves and the rest of your kitchen design. Pay attention to the color and texture of the items you’re displaying and try to stay consistent. You may also want to consider making the shelves the same color as the cabinetry.

Open shelving is a great way to make the most out of your kitchen design, whether it be a big or small kitchen. Here are some ideas to get the most out of your kitchen design with open shelving.

Incorporate Home Decor – Incorporating home decor items such as flower pots, table lamps, and even pieces of art can elevate the look of your shelves and create a stylish and inviting space. You can also use baskets or decorative bowls to store small items.

Choose Different Levels of Shelving – Consider using different levels of shelving to make the most out of your kitchen design. This will create a more dynamic look and leave room to store bigger items such as kitchen appliances.