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Open shelving units kitchen

21 Beautiful Open Kitchen Shelving Ideas

By

Lauren Thomann

Lauren Thomann

Lauren Thomann is passionate about crafting and DIY home improvement, writing on both topics. While refurbishing her 1916 bungalow on her own, she shares lessons learned through her DIY and home improvement articles.

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and

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger is a personality assessment expert based in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than five years of experience. Her areas of expertise include Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. She is the author of the book "Being Whole" and dozens of articles on personality assessments and relationships.

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Updated on 01/26/22

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update your kitchen is to nix some upper cabinets and replace them with shelves instead.

Whether you're budgeting for a full-scale remodel or you just want a small update, these kitchen shelving ideas will help steer you in the right direction. 

The 9 Best Floating Shelves of 2022

• 01 of 21

  Incorporate Wooden Shelving for a Rustic Look

  Becca Interiors

  Floating shelves in a farmhouse-style kitchen are often made from stained or reclaimed wood, which looks great in most spaces. These wooden shelves are given some additional rustic flair with wire hooks supporting each shelf, ultimately supported by the exposed wooden beam ceiling above.

• 02 of 21

  Alternate Open Shelving With Hanging Storage

  Tyler Karu Design

  In many instances, open shelving surrounds a range hood evenly on both sides so the entire look feels symmetrical and balanced. However, consider switching up your kitchen storage by instead opposing some open shelving with hanging storage. 

• 03 of 21

  Turn Shelving Into an Open Pantry

  Design: Velinda Hellen for EHD/Photographer: Sara Ligorria-Tramp

  If you have spare space in your kitchen—whether that be a wall or even a kitchen island–but no pantry, this solution is ideal. Open shelving works best when it's only partially about design and more about function. This project will help you keep a more organized pantry, and the visibility will help you know exactly how much you have left of certain dry goods.

  43 Smart Pantry Ideas to Help You Organize Your Kitchen

• 04 of 21

  Save Money by Removing Cabinet Doors

  Arbor & Co.

  The easiest way to update your kitchen without going through an entire remodel is to remove the doors from existing cabinets. To add more of a wow factor, consider painting the interior of your cabinets a different color.  

  10 Painted Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

• 05 of 21

  A Couple of Well-Placed Shelves Go a Long Way

  Calimia Home

  Many people assume when they incorporate open shelving into their kitchen, they have to add tons of shelves. This isn't the case. A couple of smaller shelves that take up the space of one cabinet will make a significant impact on the space. This idea works well for those who want the look of open shelving but less commitment in regards to cleaning and styling them. 

• 06 of 21

  Use Open Shelving to Create a Coffee Bar

  Becca Interiors

  If you wake up every morning in need of a cup of coffee, consider using open shelving to create a coffee bar in your kitchen. This project can be as simple as adding a couple of shelves above the coffee pot or as elaborate as the setup shown here. 

• 07 of 21

  Rethink What Open Shelving Should Look Like

  Jessica Nelson Design

  Remember, open shelving isn't limited to farmhouse style. There are numerous ways you can design shelves to fit in with your specific aesthetic. For a more modern look, consider gold and brass finishes in more geometric patterns, and opt for glass instead of wooden varieties.

• 08 of 21

  Add Open Shelving Above the Sink

  Studio Peake

  In most traditional kitchen layouts, there is a shorter cabinet placed above the sink. To create a more airy feel, remove that cabinet and opt for a couple of well-placed shelves instead. This area can be an ideal storage space for dish soaps and anything you don't mind being exposed to moisture from the sink. It can also work in your favor to set shelves higher up to store glasses, mugs, and other decor you want out in the open. Many houseplants will thrive in this location. 

• 09 of 21

  Make Open Shelving Work in a Corner Space

  Design: Velinda Hellen for EHD/Photographer: Sara Ligorria-Tramp

  It's easy enough to run open shelving along an entire wall and stop it at the end. Instead, consider creating a right angle and making use of the corner space, too. Since most corners are relatively hidden from view, you can use this space for microwaves and other less attractive kitchen appliances and gadgets. You can also opt for items that aren't used as often, to keep those corners covered.

• 10 of 21

  Restyle Kitchen Shelving Often

  Cathie Hong

  Perhaps the most fun and challenging part about open shelving is the styling. Once you get the hang of how items group together, styling becomes easier and more enjoyable. A few tips to keep in mind:

  • Keep your color palette simple for a more streamlined look. 
  • Add in greenery using houseplants with differing textures.
  • Group items in clusters of three.
  • Make sure there is a variation of heights so your eye is drawn across the entire shelf.

• 11 of 21

  Use Open Shelving In Unusually Shaped-Spaces

  Arbor & Co.

  It's no secret that smaller spaces require unique storage solutions. When working with a small kitchen or kitchenette space, open shelving can do wonders to add much-needed storage options—especially in the form of wooden shelves that take up far less space than bulky cabinets. This works especially well with uniquely shaped spaces, like a slanted roof or half-wall. A few floating shelves add the perfect amount of support for extra glassware and cups, keeping them in reach.

• 12 of 21

  Get Playful With Your Decor

  Casa Watkins Living

  While minimalist styles and color schemes certainly have their place, there isn't anything wrong with adding plenty of color and pattern into the mix. Open shelving placed against a radiant backdrop, like this eclectic wallpaper, is a simple way to add a burst of color to your kitchen, while also displaying all the items you need.

• 13 of 21

  Establish Symmetry

  Ashley Montgomery Design

  Creating a cohesive space in your kitchen means taking balance into account. Open shelving has plenty of great attributes, but its placement and the items you choose to showcase can lead to things looking more cluttered than crafted. Using equal amounts of one shelving and being mindful of what goes on it can go a long way.

• 14 of 21

  Open Shelving Isn't Limited to Your Walls

  Burchard Design Co.

  The words "open shelving" often evoke concepts of cabinets without doors and floating shelves—both valuable options. However, your walls aren't the only space you can incorporate this idea—your kitchen island can also lend a hand in this department. A kitchen island with exposed shelves and extra space for storage can be an absolute gamechanger.

• 15 of 21

  Opt For a Stand Alone Shelf

  House of Chais

  In lieu of mounting shelving, why not add a stand-alone shelf into the mix? A simple multi-tier option has plenty of space to showcase decorative items, as well as smaller essentials like coffee cups and salt and peppershakers.

• 16 of 21

  Pair Floating Shelves With Open Door Shelving

  Jules Interiors

  Don't feel the need to limit the types of shelving in your kitchen—there are so many options to choose from. Pairing a floating shelf with open door shelving, like this marble kitchen, is a great way to make the most of your space without sticking to just one concept.
  

• 17 of 21

  Create Unity

  LeClair Decor

  Open shelves are a great way to create symmetry and balance in your space. Additionally, they can work exceptionally well in creating unity in multiple spaces throughout your kitchen. The set of six floating wooden shelves shown in this kitchen already provides plenty of storage and looks great in the process. Turn your eyes over to the bar area, and you'll notice another set of the same floating shelves make an appearance there as well—creating a sense of unity in entirely separate spaces.

• 18 of 21

  Make The Most Of Your Space

  M Starr Design

  Rather than spacing out your open shelves, keeping them close together creates a cozy atmosphere that has everything you need within reach. Opting for smaller shelves to fill smaller areas, while having wraparound options for those corner spaces, keeps everything looking sleek and cohesive.

• 19 of 21

  Pair Open Shelves With Tile

  Margaret Wright Interior + Lifestyle Photography

  From a decorating perspective, floating shelves work well with essentially any theme. For a distinctly modern look, try pairing wooden shelves with white tile—the results feel timeless, yet absolutely chic.

• 20 of 21

  Blend In

  Margaret Wright Interiors + Lifestyle Photography

  Open shelves don't have to be abrasive or attention-grabbing if you don't want them to be. For an understated look, try matching your shelving to the color of your walls—this deep charcoal kitchen cloaks the floating shelves so well, you can barely tell they are there at all.
  

• 21 of 21

  Don't Knock Hanging Storage

  Mary Patton Design

  More shelves are always a plus but don't knock the value of hanging storage options. Especially if you have pots and pans that you don't mind displaying, opting for a hanging rack that holds them all can free up some serious cabinet and shelving space while creating a unique focal point.

  Using Shelf Standards and Brackets From Different Manufacturers

25 Best Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas

Every item on this page was chosen by The Pioneer Woman team. The site may earn a commission on some products.

Get inspired and organized. 🤩

By Erin Cavoto

Jan 14, 2022

David Tsay

Have you seen open shelving in a kitchen? 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! Ree Drummond's open shelving in The Lodge's kitchen is a case in point: They add a great pop of color to the kitchen, and Ree has all of her favorite new cookbooks within easy reach!

Open shelves 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. For instance, 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, these examples prove that open shelving kitchen ideas are suitable for either casual decorators or design-oriented homeowners. Once you reach the end of this gallery, you'll feel much more confident about applying this kitchen trend to your own home.

Buff Strickland

1 of 25

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.

SHOP SHELVES

Kevin J. Miyazaki

2 of 25

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.

Alison Gootee

3 of 25

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.

Ana Drr / EyeEmGetty Images

4 of 25

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.

David Tsay

5 of 25

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.

SHOP COPPER MUGS

Kevin J. Miyazaki

6 of 25

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.

Thrifty Decor Chick

7 of 25

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.

Alison Gootee

8 of 25

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.

Muriel de SezeGetty Images

9 of 25

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.

Buy Chna Wichya Ngkur / EyeEmGetty Images

10 of 25

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!

SHOP UNDER SHELF HOOKS

Kevin J. Miyazaki

11 of 25

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.

Buff Strickland

12 of 25

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.

Alison Gootee

13 of 25

Arrange Potted Plants

A few colorful potted plants will immediately brighten up your shelves. Plants work with any type of décor!

DIY in PDX

14 of 25

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.

Kevin J. Miyazaki

15 of 25

Keep It Simple

These wood shelves match the butcher block below. Don't worry about how you arrange your dishes or glasses—anything goes!

SHOP CROCKERY

Sebastian Schollmeyer / EyeEmGetty Images

16 of 25

Hang Pots and Pans By Size

Hanging pots are a great way to give your kitchen a rustic-chic edge and when you line them up by size, it makes cooking a breeze! The same can be said for pans and cooking utensils.

Stacey Brandford

17 of 25

Mix Wood and Whites

Wood shelves pop against this gray and white kitchen. These shelves are so gorgeous that pretty much anything you put on them will look fantastic.

See more at Lark and Linen.

The Merrythought

18 of 25

Be Practical

Storing everyday items likes pots, pans, and dinnerware on your open shelves is an easy way to avoid dust piling up. You'll be moving these items around constantly, so they'll be cleaned often.

See more at The Merrythought.

Rooms for Rent Blog

19 of 25

Use Pops of Greenery

Dot your shelves with small potted plants for pops of greenery, especially in a sunny corner of your kitchen. This blogger also includes design tips on how to style your items.

See more at Rooms for Rent Blog.

Addison's Wonderland

20 of 25

Frame Your Stove

Your eye goes goes straight to the striking gold shelves in this chic kitchen. Placing decorative pitchers, vases, and plants on them will maximize the look.

See more at Addison's Wonderland.

SHOP GLASS JARS

Avery Michaels / Holland Avenue Home

21 of 25

Match Shelves to Cabinets

Taking the doors off side-by-side cabinets is an easy way to dip your toe into the open shelving idea. The wall behind these shelves was painted to match the cabinets below, drawing the room together.

See more at Holland Avenue Home.

The Merrythought

22 of 25

Make a Coffee Station

Use open shelves to create a charming coffee nook, with all your morning brew necessities on display.

See more at The Merrythought.

Tessa Neustadt

23 of 25

Cherished Valuables

Open shelves are an opportunity to show off your favorite finds, like these handmade pots and bowls.

See more at Amber Interiors.

Vintage Revivals

24 of 25

Mix Neutrals

These wood floating shelves stand out against a white backsplash and black cabinets, adding a natural touch to the kitchen.

See more at Vintage Revivals.

Inspired by Charm

25 of 25

Pegboard Storage

Turn all your kitchen utensils and tools into a work of art by displaying them on a pegboard with a top shelf for jars and pots.

See more at Inspired by Charm.

SHOP PEGBOARDS

These Blanket Storage Ideas Are Actually So Clever

Erin Cavoto Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman. com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.

custom open shelving kitchens in Moscow

Calculate kitchen

kitchens with open shelving to order in Moscow

No one will deny that it is in the kitchen that everything should be to your liking, cozy and at home. Then the atmosphere will be conducive not only to a pleasant pastime, but also to the comfortable preparation of culinary masterpieces. When everything is at arm's length, the cooking process is easy and effortless.

A kitchen without upper cabinets, using hanging open shelves and shelving, is a modern and stylish solution. Are such kitchens convenient to use, operate and store food? Consider all the pros and cons of such a design.

Modern decor combined with plenty of free space is an undeniable trend today. In Europe, open structures in kitchens are widely used. Recently, domestic kitchens have been adopting this fashionable idea and have a great variety of design solutions. If the room is small, then this option should be taken into account. Such an "open kitchen" system will visually expand the space and make it lighter, lighter and more zest. This solution will also fit perfectly into the spacious kitchen - living room and add more individuality to your apartment.

Cabinet furniture is a thing of the past, it is replaced by shelving systems that allow you to properly organize the space. The great advantage of shelving is in the variety of their shapes and types. With their help in the kitchen there will always be order and maximum convenience. Whether solid wood kitchens or kitchens with glossy fronts, the shelving system will give them elegance and originality.

"Open kitchens" do not clutter up the space, although they perform a huge number of functions for storing kitchen utensils. Light, open shelves and racks are suitable for people who value simplicity and comfort. Such kitchens will ideally fit into any style and interior.

An important role is played by the cost of such design, which will cost much less than heavy cabinets. A good way out of the situation, who wants to save a little. Of course, it still depends on the material from which the elements are made.

Despite the apparent simplicity of such systems at first glance, custom-made open kitchens are distinguished by a variety of materials and design solutions. For example, open hanging shelves, cabinets and cabinets with built-in shelves, open shelves in racks and a kitchen island can be made of materials such as plastic, solid wood, metal, glass, MDF. It all depends on your preferences and desires. The undoubted popularity was gained by shelves - lattices, which are mounted on brackets. Many prefer shelves with hidden fasteners, which look light and weightless, and besides, they do not clutter up the space.

In addition, the lower cabinets can also be replaced with translucent drawers or completely open shelving. So you can show off a beautiful kitchen set, decorate the interior with decor or allocate space for household electrical appliances. Access to them will be easier and this will save space on the work surface.

The advantage of kitchens with open shelves is that they are mobile.

Among all these advantages, there is a disadvantage. Open shelves and racks in the kitchen are in plain sight and require close attention to the cleanliness of their surface, because. any error is immediately visible. Shelves will have to be cleaned and dusted more often. Therefore, it is also not recommended to place open shelves above the hob in order to avoid the accumulation of fat on them.

Open cabinets are considered to be less functional than conventional closed cabinets. Here the question is more about the aesthetics and accuracy of the type of shelves. It is up to you to attribute this to the pluses or minuses, because. racks and shelves in a modern design can withstand quite a lot of weight. Yes, and there are many solutions to this shortcoming.

That is why it is important to carefully consider the design of such a kitchen in order to embody all your main wishes.

"Kitchen Territory" is a kitchen in Moscow, where you will be helped to realize all the most daring ideas, so that beautiful open kitchens fill your home with light, coziness and comfort.

70 original design ideas, design options

Can a kitchen with open shelves be comfortable and functional? This question often causes heated discussions on furniture forums. And this dispute can last forever, since in each case the answer will depend not on objective factors, but on subjective reasons - the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, lifestyle and habits, as well as on individual ideas about beauty.

Contents:

• Advantages of open shelves in the kitchen
• Cons of open shelves
• Design options
• Shelf material selection
• Attachment features
• Storage on open shelves
• Open shelves in a small kitchen
• Kitchen-living room with open shelves
• Conclusion

Benefits of open shelving in the kitchen

You can evaluate how suitable this arrangement idea is for you by analyzing the advantages of such an idea listed below and the disadvantages that you may have to face.

• Open shelves can make a kitchen look lighter and more visually spacious.

• Open shelves are easier to use.

• A kitchen with open shelves will be cheaper.

• Such a non-trivial idea of ​​​​arrangement is guaranteed to bring variety to the usual interior and make it more interesting.

Open shelves serve as an addition to the kitchen set and are more decorative than practical.

Drawbacks of open shelves

• Storage needs to be considered. If the shelves are inaccurately stacked with assorted dishes in a pile with different kitchen utensils, then the feeling of disorder and clutter cannot be avoided. Thinking about the aesthetics of storage is the most important thing here. In addition, this order will have to be regularly maintained. Are you ready for this?

If you don't want to worry about every detail, you can use beautiful boxes and wicker baskets. You can hide everything neatly in them, and they look very nice in the interior.

• Open shelves collect dust every day, so you will have to wet clean more often than with closed cabinets.

• The number of storage spaces will be reduced. Before abandoning upper cabinets in favor of shelves, think about whether you can really fit everything you need in lower cabinets. If you have a lot of dishes, kitchen gadgets, then you should abandon the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bopen storage.

The tall cabinet module can compensate for the upper cabinets. You can store small kitchen appliances and bulk products in it. Such storage will be even more convenient than the option with wall cabinets, but the pencil case will not always be able to find a place, for example, it will not fit in very small kitchens up to 5 sq.m.

• Design is hard to come by. A less risky option is to make a kitchen set in the same style, with uniform facades; and it is much more difficult to choose shelves that are suitable in material, shade and style so that they blend perfectly with other furniture in the kitchen.

• Not suitable for most modern styles.

Hi-tech and minimalism, for example, only accept closed storage and absolute order.

Design options

The idea of ​​using shelves in kitchen design has many variations - from the most radical and unusual to less risky and easier to implement.

1. The most radical solution is to make a kitchen with shelves not only in the top but also in the bottom row.

The idea certainly has limited application. This arrangement option is more suitable for country kitchens and kitchens in garden houses.

In a city apartment or private house, this design idea needs a lot of work. In general, a kitchen with shelving will look most harmoniously in country, provence, eco, loft and scandi styles.

In Provence and Country, you can and should use curtains behind which you can hide pots, pans and other kitchen utensils stored on the shelves. So the interior will look more neat and well-groomed.

In a loft, metal shelves and racks will add brutality, which is precisely the main goal when creating an interior in such a style.

2. Eliminate upper cabinets completely and replace them with shelves.

The interior will become visually lighter, but the amount of storage space will be significantly reduced, and you will have to think about the design of the now empty wall, as well as decide how to compensate for the missing cabinets.

An empty wall and backsplash area can be accentuated, for example, by decorating with a bright shade or decorating with a print. Materials with a beautiful natural texture can be used. A stylish chimney-type hood can also become a wall decoration.

3. The safest option, which will suit almost any style, is to make single inserts with open shelves.

They can be used in lower or upper cabinets or on a kitchen island.

Beveled corner shelves are a great way to make a set visually less bulky.

Proper lighting in a kitchen with open shelves will help set the accents. Beautiful lighting or a garland will help to emphasize the decorative effect. If you decide to abandon the upper cabinets, then it is necessary to provide good lighting for the working area. The luminaires, with light directed to the tabletop, can be installed on the walls or on the ceiling.

See many other interesting ideas in the video:

Choosing the material of the shelves

The choice of the material of the shelves is largely determined by the style of the interior.

For example, for a loft-style kitchen, shelves made of black or gray painted metal or rough and unfinished wood are suitable.

In Provence, you can use a tree with the effect of aging.

Stained wooden shelves are perfect for Scandinavian style.

Open inserts can be included in the design of the kitchen unit.

They can be made of the same material as the frame, differ from the main color of the set or match the facades. These inserts can be emphasized by painting them in a bright color.

Mounting features

When choosing shelves and organizing storage, it is important to consider the material of the walls to which they are attached and the load on them.

• Shelves should not be loaded with heavy items if they are attached to flimsy walls.
• Consider the appearance of the fasteners and their compatibility with the overall style of the interior. If you are not sure whether they will fit in design, it is better to make a hidden mount.

• It is better to strengthen the structure that will withstand the increased load even at the repair stage by installing mortgages. If you don’t have time, use a rack instead of shelves, then the main load will be on the floor, and not on the walls.

Shelves can be hung not only in the working area of ​​the kitchen, but for decorative purposes and above the dining table. In this case, it is better to make them narrow.

This may also be useful: Three ways to fix upper kitchen cabinets.

Storage on open shelves

Open shelves in the kitchen are more decorative than practical. They can not make up everything that is usually stored in closed cabinets.

It is better to store the items you use every day so that dust and grease do not accumulate on them. Decor (paintings, photo frames, sculptures, etc.) on the shelves should be used to a minimum.

A kitchen with open top and bottom cabinets will look stylish if you use beautiful organizers, wicker baskets and neat boxes for storage.

On the shelves you can put beautiful sets, wine glasses, a collection of unique vases or jugs, souvenir and hand-made dishes, candlesticks, clay pots, decoupage-painted bottles, stylish household appliances, paintings and photo frames.

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