28 Genius Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
Is a kitchen truly complete without cabinets? Traditionally, closed storage reigns supreme for its practicality. Cabinets provide a discreet way to store items like your quirky mugs, hidden snack stash, and small appliances you prefer off your pristine stone countertop. Yet, we propose embracing these open shelving kitchen ideas, inviting you to reconsider the out of sight, out of mind mindset.
What is Open Shelving?
Open shelving is primarily an aesthetic choice—it doesn’t affect space capacity compared to cabinets—but showcases your belongings. This approach is perfect for those who struggle with remembering what they own and where it is. Styling open shelves can be manageable if you treat them like bookshelves—group similar items, use clear canisters, and incorporate arrangements of threes for visual appeal. A mix of art, decor, and tableware can reflect a maximalist yet personalized vibe. To create cohesion, consider matching the painted open shelves with lower cabinetry or highlighting a standout kitchen feature. Start small by displaying your favorite mugs or a row of spices.
28 Genius Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas
Regardless of your opinion on open shelving, one of these design ideas may ignite your interest, leading you to consider foregoing upper cabinetry. Read on to get inspired by these 28 genius open shelving kitchen ideas:
1. Play Tetris With Cabinet Interiors
For this homeowner, it was important for her to have her vintage plates on display, but to fit everything perfectly, the doors were removed, and the inner cabinet shelves were shifted to carve out a space for each collection. When it comes to open shelving kitchen ideas, there are no rules, and shelves do not have to be evenly spaced.
2. Carve Out the Space You Need
If blank wall space is minimal, don’t let it deter you from creating the open shelving kitchen idea of your dreams. Take inspiration from this Lisa Staton-designed Seattle home. Metal shelves cross the window to provide more storage space without blocking the light completely—something cabinets would not have been able to do.
3. Try a Built-In
For a seamless look, build your open shelving kitchen idea right into the walls. Rather than molding, this space has plastered the shelving and walls for a bohemian flair. Open shelving isn’t just for dinnerware either! Display your favorite photos or serving pieces to add personality.
4. Grab From All Angles
Open shelving in a kitchen is designed to increase functionality and efficiency. Take a note from this kitchen where the upper open shelves can be accessed from all sides, eliminating the need to walk around the whole room just to grab a plate.
5. Round the Corner
If your kitchen has multiple sections, have the open shelving flow through each one for a cohesive look and feel. In this open shelving kitchen idea, the wood shelves wrap around the corner to join the sink area with the NYC loft’s coffee bar.
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6. Repurpose Antiques
This antique hutch is now the ultimate open shelving storage piece after the doors and back panel were removed. This also makes the large, wood piece feel visually lighter, brightening up the entire room. This is a great, renter-friendly open shelving option.
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7. Go for a Modular Look
For a playful feel, mix open shelving and closed cabinetry in a modular fashion. For this kitchen, designer Andy Beers mixed open cubbies with splashes of red to allow the homeowners’ blue mid-century tableware collection to anchor the space.
8. Use Shelves to Draw Focus
Employ columns of open shelving to highlight a standout feature in your kitchen and display beloved ceramics. In this Florida kitchen, designer Lauren Liess used symmetrical open shelving and repetitive light fixtures to put the focus on the Jerusalem stone-clad chimney-style range hood.
9. Match Painted Cabinetry
In an English cottage designed by Elizabeth Hay, a single open shelf puts a collection of potted flowers on display. Its painted in Edward Bulmer Invisible Green to match the cabinets and nearby wall hutch, making the vibrant color pop in the airy kitchen.
10. Stick With a Single Level
Designer Mallory Kaye modernized this ranch house kitchen with a single level of white marble open shelving to match the backsplash and countertops. This open shelving kitchen idea is kept clean with clear glasses and perfectly stacked dinnerware on top.
11. Lean Into Maximalism
Embrace a lived-in look with an open shelving kitchen idea that hosts everything from dinnerware and cookware to art and decorative objects. Take inspiration from celebrity decorator Kathryn M. Ireland’s own kitchen, which features plain white shelves infused with personality.
12. Coordinate With Lighting
Create a cohesive look by installing open shelves and pendant lighting made of the same material. In the kitchen of this Napa Valley home, designers Marshall Watson and Mercedes Ganes opted for light wood shelving that flanks the range hood and imitates the custom pendant over the island. Not only does the combo warm up the space, but it creates a sense of intimacy.
13. Integrate a Ledge
If you want to display small treasures or favorite mugs in your kitchen, install an open shelf underneath closed cabinetry as the interior design firm BHDM did in this home. This way, you can still hide clutter while seeing your favorite pieces.
14. Make It a Spice Rack
If you’re not totally sold on open shelving, simply use a single row above your cooktop as a spice rack. For an extra-appealing display, pour all of your spices into matching containers like the ones in this kitchen designed by Studio DIAA.
15. Carve a Niche
Soften your kitchen while also adding character with this genius open shelving kitchen idea. In this kitchen by designer Steve Pallrand, the arched niche displays potted herbs and treasured decor—all of which liven up and add touches of warmth to the bright space.
16. Try Rustic Meets Glam
A black-and-gold range like this one is all kinds of flash, so tone it down with rustic wood open shelves. They’re minimal, so they don’t detract from the obvious focal point of the kitchen.
17. Dedicate a Section
If the exposed feel of open shelving freaks you out, limit yourself to one section of the walls in your kitchen. You can keep the rest of your items in the lower cabinets, so you aren’t doing away with concealed storage for good, but you can experiment a little with going open.
18. Incorporate Books
Don’t limit open shelves to stacks of kitchen essentials like bowls and cups. Dedicate a portion to cookbooks so you can easily see what’s in your library and reach for the one you need when cooking.
19. Give It an Industrial Feel
To dream up a kitchen fit for a chef, give it a utilitarian feel with steel accents, wood open shelving with distinct hardware, and unique pendant lights.
20. Embrace a Traditional Style
Opt for a sophisticated look with an open shelving kitchen idea that features crown molding, like in this kitchen by designer Kelie Grosso. If you want an airy but soft feel, select a taupe color for the shelves, cabinetry, and island to tie the space together.
21-28: Additional Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas
- Use baskets to add texture and store utensils or cleaning supplies
- Create a display for your favorite coffee table books
- Add a pegboard for hooks and hanging pots and pans
- utilize vertical space with floor-to-ceiling open shelves
- Showcase a vintage or unique piece of furniture on an open shelf
- Display a beautiful kitchen appliance, like a stand mixer or coffee maker
- Use a tension rod to hang frequently used items, like pots or utensils
- Store fine china or other delicate items on an open shelf for added elegance
Final Thoughts
Open shelving kitchen ideas offer a unique opportunity to showcase your personal style and create a more open and airy feel in your kitchen. By embracing the open shelving trend, you can add visual interest and create a space that is both functional and beautiful. Whether you choose to display your favorite cookbooks, vintage kitchenware, or delicate fine china, open shelving can help you create a kitchen that is truly one-of-a-kind.
What is open shelving in a kitchen?
Open shelving is primarily an aesthetic choice that showcases your belongings, offering a more open and airy feel compared to closed cabinets.
How can I style open shelves in my kitchen?
Treat them like bookshelves by grouping similar items, using clear canisters, and incorporating arrangements of threes. Mix in art, decor, and tableware to create a personalized look.
What are the benefits of using open shelving in the kitchen?
Open shelving increases functionality and efficiency, displays your favorite items, and can make the kitchen look more spacious and open.
Can open shelving be used to display non-kitchen items?
Yes, open shelving can be used to display cookbooks, books, jewelry, and other decorative items to add personality to your kitchen.
Are all open shelving in the kitchen horizontal?
No, open shelving can be horizontal or vertical. You can use floor-to-ceiling open shelves to maximize the use of vertical space.
How can I incorporate open shelving into a small kitchen?
Start small with one section of open shelving and use it to display your favorite items, limiting clutter to cabinets.
Can open shelving be used for storage of smaller items?
Yes, open shelving can display smaller items like mugs, cookware, or utensils when styled properly, using baskets or clear containers.
What is the difference between open shelving and cabinet shelving?
Open shelving is exposed and designed for display, while cabinet shelving is enclosed and provides discreet storage.
Can open shelving be a spice rack?
Yes, you can use a single row of open shelving above your cooktop as a spice rack, using matching containers for a neat display.
How can I paint open shelving to match my kitchen?
Paint open shelving in a color that matches your cabinets or other elements in the kitchen to create a cohesive look.
What ideas can be mixed with open shelving to enhance the kitchen?
Mix open shelving with closed cabinetry, and coordinate it with lighting and other materials like tile or molding for a unified design.
Is open shelving suitable for small kitchens?
Yes, open shelving can be suitable for small kitchens when used for specific sections and styled to avoid clutter, making the space feel larger.
What materials can be used for open shelving?
Materials for open shelving include wood, metal, glass, and even plaster, depending on the desired style and functionality.
Can open shelving be used to display books?
Yes, dedicating a portion of your open shelving to cookbooks or decorative books can be a practical and aesthetically pleasing addition to your kitchen.
Are there any open shelving design ideas for a modern kitchen?
Modern open shelving ideas include white marble shelves, clean lines, and minimal accessories, matching the sleek look of a modern kitchen.
How can open shelving enhance a kitchen’s aesthetic in a rustic setting?
In a rustic kitchen, use wood open shelving with distinct hardware and simple, functional designs to complement the warm, earthy tones of the space.
Is open shelving a good choice if I want to keep the kitchen functional?
Yes, open shelving can increase functionality by making certain items more accessible and space more open, while still providing plenty of storage in cabinets.
How can I highlight a standout feature in my kitchen with open shelving?
Use columns of open shelving or specific shelving pieces to draw attention to a focal point, such as a large appliance or artwork, enhancing the overall design.
What are some design trends for open shelving in traditional kitchens?
Traditional kitchen open shelving trends include using crown molding, selecting neutral colors like taupes, and incorporating elements like wainscoting for a classic look.
How can baskets be used with open shelving?
Baskets can add texture and be used to store utensils, cleaning supplies, or small items, enhancing the visual appeal and organization of your open shelving.
Can I use open shelving to display a vintage piece of furniture?
Yes, open shelving is perfect for showcasing vintage or unique furniture, adding character and history to your kitchen’s decor.
Is open shelving suitable for displaying delicate items like fine china?
Yes, open shelving can be used to display fine china and other delicate items, adding elegance and showcasing your valuable pieces.
How can tension rods be used with open shelving in the kitchen?
Tension rods can be used to hang frequently used items like pots, utensils, or dish towels on open shelving, freeing up space on the shelves themselves.
How does open shelving make a kitchen look larger?
Open shelving makes a kitchen look larger by creating a sense of space and airiness, minimizing visual clutter compared to closed cabinets.
Can open shelving be painted to match stone countertops?
Yes, paint your open shelving a color that complements or matches your stone countertops to create a cohesive and stylish kitchen design.
How can I use open shelving to create an industrial-themed kitchen?
Use steel accents, wood open shelving with distinct hardware, and unique pendant lights to create an industrial-themed kitchen with open shelving.
What are some ideas for multi-functional open shelving in the kitchen?
Use additional open shelving ideas such as adding a spice rack, displaying books, incorporating a pegboard, or featuring a carved niche with plants and decor.
Is open shelving appropriate for every kitchen style?
Open shelving is appropriate for various kitchen styles, including modern, rustic, traditional, and industrial, with adjustments to match the overall aesthetic.
Can open shelving increase the perceived storage space in a kitchen?
While open shelving is more visible, it can create the perception of increased storage by keeping items organized and accessible, reducing the clutter inside closed cabinets.
How can I make open shelving in a kitchen look more organized?
Organize open shelving by grouping similar items, using clear containers, and maintaining a clean and minimal look to achieve a well-organized appearance.
Are there any DIY open shelving ideas for a budget-friendly approach?
Yes, you can create DIY open shelving by repurposing existing pieces, using simple designs, or adding unique elements like baskets and displays to personalize the space.
What lighting fixtures can be used with open shelving in the kitchen?
Use pendant lights, sconces, or under-cabinet lighting that complements the material of your open shelving for a cohesive look.
How can open shelving be used to display kitchen appliances?
Display beautiful kitchen appliances like a stand mixer or coffee maker on open shelving to add elegance and a focal point to your kitchen design.
What are some tips for keeping open shelving clean and organized?
Keep open shelving clean and organized by regularly rearranging and decluttering items, grouping similar objects, and using decorative baskets to store miscellaneous items.
Can open shelving be used to display plants?
Yes, displaying plants on open shelving can bring life to your kitchen, adding a touch of greenery and a more natural feel to the space.
What elements should I consider when choosing open shelving material?
Consider the aesthetic compatibility with your kitchen style, the strength of the material, durability, and how it complements existing elements like countertops and cabinets.
How can open shelving enhance a contemporary kitchen design?
Enhance a contemporary kitchen with open shelving by using sleek materials like glass or metal, keeping lines simple, and incorporating minimalist decor items for a modern feel.
What are some innovative open shelving ideas to consider?
Consider ideas like using a tension rod for hanging items, a niche for plants, or a modular mix of open and closed shelving for a unique look.
