Ideas For A Great Open Shelf Kitchen

Okay, let’s face it. Kitchens can become very messy with all the wrong things in all the wrong places. What about an open shelf kitchen, though? Well, that can be disorganized, too! But with the right moves and tricks you can fill the space harmonically and have a beautiful result! 

In today’s article you will have the chance to get some inspirational ideas for an amazing open shelf kitchen. Warning: they are cooler than you thought!

Image: 202 design

Benefits of an open shelf kitchen 

Did you ever find yourself rummaging through cupboard after cupboard, looking for that favorite cereal bowl, the one you misplaced a week ago? Ever feel bothered by having your hands wander in dim light? Or trying to avoid the ten other plates you never use but still keep around? Ever stepped inside your kitchen and felt like you just set foot in an elevator? Now you might see the importance of open shelves in kitchen! 

 

Having an open shelf kitchen can really impact your experience positively. It helps you organise things and keep everything under control. By reading this you might realize that all these benefits were right under your nose. You just could not see them. Check them out, maybe they will convince you to have a kitchen like that. So, without any delay let the kitchen ideas begin!

More Natural Light

Open shelving is one of those decor ideas that sound good. And they are, without doubt! If you compare them to cabinets, they definitely have a huge advantage. Overhead cupboards can be aesthetic, but they can also block a good amount of natural light from entering your kitchen.

Idea: Olivier Koning

By either taking them apart and using the materials for open storage shelves or by simply purchasing new shelves altogether, you can open a whole new dimension. And actually give your kitchen a healthier, brighter tone. 

The space will become fresher and renewed instantly to offer you some utility and openness as well.

More Space

If your kitchen is not spacious to begin with, then you might have a problem. You might have noticed that all those cabinets and cupboards only add to the claustrophobia feeling you’re experiencing. And this whenever you’re trying to cook dinner or just place some bread in the toaster. With open kitchen shelving you get rid of those extra inches of wood that turn your kitchen into a man-sized box.

Image: Alvhem

Keeping Better Track Of Your Dishes

Perhaps some of your dishware deserves to be in the spotlight, not hidden away behind closed doors. Why not let others admire them as well?

Image: Country Living

However, if you don’t feel like dusting very often, simply remove the clutter and only keep the dishes you intend to use. By doing so, you’ll create even more room in your kitchen.

Saving on Time

The last thing you want while still drowsy from the night’s sleep is to fumble around for your breakfast dishes. Especially if time is important and it can’t be wasted for trivial searches. With an open shelf kitchen, everything you might need is right there in plain sight, just waiting for you to grab it.

Image: BHG

That is probably the most important benefit of shelves. This whole art of open shelving can have a huge impact in the time you consume when searching for things in your kitchen. 

Kitchen shelf ideas

As you saw, many are the benefits of kitchen shelves. They can really be handy and can make your life easier. Do you want to see some kitchen shelf ideas for your own place? Say no more. We have gathered below the best of the best, to give you the inspiration you need and maybe convince you into trying this insanely chic trend. 

Photo By: Sarah Wilson / Getty Images via HGTV

Having kitchen shelves that go well with the rest of the kitchen is key. Examine carefully the elements of each case and determine which one could fit your needs. But, no more other words. Check below these exclusive kitchen shelf ideas and remember to let us know about your thoughts on them.  

Make it more personal

Kitchen cabinets are not always the best option for this part of the house. Although they might be good, they have become outdated of some kind. Their storage advantage is perfect, but who says you can’t do it with kitchen shelving? Go ahead and put those shelves on your wall and see how you can adjust the rest of the space accordingly. Trust us, the result will reward you!

Image:  Magnolia Homes

The cabinets can be quite monotone and make your space look dull and uninteresting. On the other hand, open shelves give you the opportunity to add some character to the room. And how exactly is that done? Well, you can place there the plates and dishes of your choice. And just like that your kitchen will be instantly more personilized, aligning with your preferences.

Image: our vintage home love

Pro Tip: Kitchen shelving is, was and will still remain a top thing to do in your space. 

The right material

What is the best material for an open shelf kitchen? Well, the answer is, it depends. It depends on the materials used for the rest of it. And also on the atmosphere you want to create. Do you want it to be traditional? Then choose rustic wooden shelves. Do you want it to be modern? The metallic or light wooden ones are a good way to go. 

Source: veranda interiors

Image: Douglas Friedman for InStyle

The shelves illustrated in these examples can easily be found in modern or transisional interiors. Wooden open shelving is something many people would prefer. When you have a modern interior, the rustic touch of wooden kitchen shelves seems (and is) ideal! The difference between the two styles can either be very distrinctive or milder and subtler. It’s up to your preferences. 

Photo: dougelissa

Showcase everything

Well, the good thing about an open shelf kitchen is that you can showcase almost everything. For some it might be very stressful and might feel overwhelmed by this. But don’t worry, we will provide you with a nice solution in a while. 

Idea: Brittany York

But first, let’s just notice the ability of open shelves to let your favourite backsplash tiles be exposed. Imagine having cabinets instead of open shelves in those spots. Wouldn’t all of your backsplash surface be covered and unseen? It probably would. So, if you want to kill two birds with one stone, open shelves is the right thing to choose.

Check out corner shelving 

Source: Amie Wietzman via Design Sponge

An interesting idea would be to use corner kitchen shelving. It is ideal if you fear the “too much exposure” thing of your plates and glasses. You can save up space and put the most fragile ones right in the corner. Then place the other stuff on the sides. 

Less is more

And if it still doesn’t serve you, you can start by placing a narrow open shelf in your kitchen. This way you will be able to enjoy its benefits without moving to this kind of kitchen style all at once. 

Image: herz-allerliebst

Number of rows

The number of rows is also something you should take into consideration. And there are quie a few factors that can impact this decision of yours. First, it should pair well with the rest of your kitchen. A tiny open shelf kitchen with too many shelves will have the opposite effect of the one you want, trust us. 

So, if you want something bolder and your kithen space allows you to do so, you can have many rows of open shelves. The result will be more impressive in this case, as long as you remember the necessity of harmony.

Image: man tager hva man haver

However, if you want something more minimal then go for one shelf or two. It can look insanely beautiful and elegant, thus turning the kitchen into a clean, organized part of the house. 

Image: Photography by NOSHE  I  Interior Design by DREIMETA

The same shades

There are actually so many combinations and styles you can choose for your open shelf kitchen. Among others, you might find yourself loving the idea of the same colors. Specifically you can paint your shelves the same color as the rest of the kitchen cabinets or walls. By trying this, the transition of using this trend will be milder and will do its magic at the same time. 

Picture: Belgian Pearls

Organization is key

Can shelves look terrifying while serving as a storage space? The answer is yes. Open shelving can really seem ugly when you don’t “treat it right”. When you place your cups and plates anywhere, the result will not be that good. What you really need to do here is organize them accordingly. 

For example, you can have your cups on one shelf, your plates on the other and so on. It will definitely look uninviting to place your champagne glasses with your spaghetti plates or tea cups together, won’t it? 

Source: lonny

Deviate from normal

Don’t get us wrong. Normal open shelves are great. Coming in different sizes, colors and materials help you easily find the style you are looking for. But, what if you want something different? Special and unique styles might be scary to try out for some, but hear us out! It’s trendy, chic, beautiful and absolutely worth considering.

Image: Peter Murdock for Marcia Butler Interior Design

Be versatile and try kitchen storage shelves with not so perfectly designed endings. Feel free to opt for more eccentric styles like this one below. It will create an amazing open shelf kitchen that all of your guests will admire and look up to. 

Open shelf kitchen inspiration

Okay, enough is enough. You saw some of the most important ideas you have at your disposal. We analized the benefits of them and how you can best fit them in your own kitchen. Below you will be able to see some more ideas, just in case you haven’t found the one you’ve been looking for.

Image: big cottage

Photo: BHG

Idea:  Douglas Gibb via Her Indoors

Image:  Photography by Laura Moss; styling by Gina Provenzano for HGTV

Picture: Sarah Sherman Samuel/ Smitten Studio via Yahoo

Image: The Design Files

Idea: Cortney Bishop

Picture: © Earl Carter Architects: O’Connor and Houle Architecture

Source: Lykke Lise

Images: © Ioanna Roufopoulou

Beautifully styled kitchen open shelves by cozy happy home.

Tags: kitchen floor tiles and wall tiles, organizing tips, wood color furniture