Kitchen Shelves Decorating Ideas 

I love the open shelves in my kitchen. It’s a fun way to bring a bit of style to the heart of the house. I redecorate my kitchen shelves quite frequently, at least every season! It’s also the first area of my home that I decorate for Christmas. I also have open shelving in my utility room which I use for more practical reasons as it serves as a small pantry for me. 

The Benefits of Open Shelving in the Kitchen

Open shelving creates a modern and spacious look in your kitchen, giving you easy access to everyday items while adding some personalisation. It’s a great space for decorative objects.

Creates a modern and spacious look

Adding open kitchen shelves to your design instantly gives your space a modern and spacious feel. Open shelves give you quick access to everyday items while making the area appear less cluttered than traditional upper cabinets might. You can use it as decorative displays, letting beautiful dishware or special occasion pieces double as art.

It’s an easy way to update the look of your kitchen doesn’t compromise on practicality but helps your kitchen become more aesthetically pleasing. 

Allows for easy access to everyday items

Picture yourself reaching for coffee mugs, everyday dishes, and your favourite cutting board without having to wrestle with cabinet doors.

This setup not only saves you time but keeps your most-used items in easy reach. 

This way to kitchen storage offers a perfect opportunity to blend functionality with style. Your essential cooking tools and decorative items coexist, infusing the space with personality. This is what I use my utility room shelving for. 

Provides a space for decorative objects

Open shelving turns your kitchen into the perfect place to display small decor items where functional items meet beauty. You can arrange white dishes, glass jars, or even pieces found at car boot sales in a way that adds character and charm to your space.

You create a gallery of your favourite things, which not only personalises the room but also makes it feel like the heart of the home by featuring collections of cookbooks or vintage crates. The flexibility of open shelving ensures that whether for special occasions or daily basis enjoyment, every item finds its spotlight.

Adds character and personalisation to the kitchen

Open shelving in your kitchen serves as a great place to showcase your unique style and personality. By choosing shelves that match with the lower cabinetry or stand out as a focal point, you create a personalised and cohesive look.

You have the freedom to mix and match different colour palettes, materials like warm wood or sleek stainless steel, and incorporate decorative elements that reflect your taste.

Beyond just storing kitchen essentials, these shelves give you the opportunity to express yourself through decor. Whether it’s arranging vintage pieces found at thrift stores or placing functional items in an aesthetically pleasing way, every single thing on display can look just as you wish. 

This approach transforms the space into more than just a cooking area; it becomes a reflection of your life and interests. Consider this method as turning empty wall space into your own personal gallery where practicality meets personalised artistry.

Can be more cost effective than traditional cabinets

Opting for open shelving in the kitchen can save you money compared to installing traditional cabinets. Traditional kitchen cabinets often involve complex designs and expensive wood, whereas open shelves use less material and are simpler to install. This makes them a great choice for anyone looking to redesign their kitchen on a budget. I got mine on Etsy and my husband put them up. 

Not only do they offer an economic advantage, but mixing open shelving with some closed cabinetry provides endless creative possibilities for your kitchen decor. 

How to Successfully Incorporate Open Shelves in Your Kitchen

Determine the purpose and style of the shelves

First, decide what you want your kitchen shelves to do for you. Will they hold everyday items for easy access, display your collection of vintage pieces, or a mix of both? Identifying their purpose guides the choice of style that complements your living room and dining room decor.

Choosing a style involves considering the existing design and colour scheme of your kitchen. Ideal height open shelving at eye level makes using frequently used items comfortable. Mixing materials and finishes can add depth to your kitchen’s aesthetic, creating an engaging visual landscape on every shelf.

Whether it’s rich browns that echo wooden bowls from an antique mall or white shelves that provide a backdrop for colourful dishes, selecting the right style enhances both functionality and beauty in your kitchen space.

Consider the existing design and colour scheme

Paying attention to your kitchen’s existing design and colour scheme is a must before adding open shelving. Think about how different materials and finishes can complement your existing colours. A mix of wood shelves with metal brackets may add warmth and texture, improving the room’s overall character.

Mix and match different materials and finishes

Mix and match various materials and finishes to add depth and visual interest to your kitchen shelves. By combining contrasting textures like wood, metal, and glass, you can create a cohesive yet dynamic look that complements the overall decor of your kitchen.

Experiment with different finishes such as matte, glossy, or metallic to achieve a personalised and creative design that reflects your style.

Add personal touches through styling and placement

Place personal touches by mixing and matching different materials and finishes on your shelves. Use warm tones, wooden boards, or clear glass to complement the colour palette of your kitchen.

Use under-shelf hooks or pegs for practical items, and add a pop of colour with functional and edible items like spices or fresh herbs. Balance and symmetry can be achieved by displaying collections of books, antiques, or vintage pieces alongside natural elements like a piece of art or plants.

Additionally, create balance in your kitchen shelves by adding a ledge underneath closed cabinetry to display small treasures or favourite mugs. Mix practical items with decorative objects to bring character into the space while ensuring easy access to everyday essentials.

Creative Ideas for Decorating Kitchen Shelves

Decorate kitchen shelves with a modular and sleek look. Display collections of books, antiques, and vintage pieces to add character and personalisation to your space without compromising functionality.

Display collections of books, antiques, and vintage pieces

To add character and personality to your kitchen, display collections of books, antiques, and vintage pieces on your open shelves. Use the vertical space by arranging books alongside antique ceramics or vintage pieces, bringing an eclectic vibe to your kitchen. These can even become conversation starters when you have guests visiting.

When it comes to styling the open shelves with various collectables, mix and match different materials and finishes for an eye-catching display. Group similar items together for impact while ensuring that they are balanced in their placement.

Add functional and edible items

Add functional and edible items such as cookbooks, jars of spices, or stylish kitchen tools on your open shelves. This not only creates a practical storage solution but also adds visual interest to your kitchen space.

Additionally, grouping serve ware and edible items together on open shelves in a small breakfast nook can maintain a cohesive look while making these items easily accessible for everyday use.

Play with balance and symmetry

Arrange items of varying heights and sizes on your kitchen shelves. Mix tall vases or bottles with short jars or bowls to create an eye-catching display.

Place items in alternating patterns to maintain balance and visual appeal. Balance out the weight of decorative pieces by placing them at opposite ends or sides of the shelves, creating a symmetrical composition that draws the eye.

Experiment with symmetry by placing matching pairs of items on either side of a central point on your open shelves. This could include sets of plates, glasses, candleholders, or even small plants.

Add under-shelf hooks or pegs

Maximise the space on your kitchen shelves by utilising under-shelf hooks or pegs. This is a practical way to organise small items, such as mugs, utensils, and even decorative pieces.

By hanging these items underneath the shelves, you can free up valuable space for larger or more frequently used items. Under-shelf hooks or pegs are easy to install and offer a cost-effective way to add charm and personality to your kitchen decor without taking up additional counter or shelf space.

Elevate the look of your kitchen while keeping it organised with this creative and functional solution.

​I love my kitchen shelves and I’m always experimenting with different styles. My favourite things to add are candles, plants and seasonal decor items! 

FAQs

1. What’s a great way to make my small kitchen feel bigger?

Using open-shelving kitchen ideas is a fantastic method to give your small space an airy and more spacious feel. It allows you to display your favourite items while keeping everything within reach.

2. How can I decorate the shelves in my kitchen?

Interior designers suggest mixing useful items with decorative pieces for an attractive look. Placing items of different colours on each shelf, including the bottom and top shelf, adds depth and interest.

3. Is it a good idea to have only one open shelf in my kitchen?

Yes, installing a single open shelf can be a simple way to showcase your best things without committing an entire wall to open shelving. It’s especially effective if you’re looking for minimalism or have limited space.

4. Can I use different ways to style my upper cabinetry and lower shelves?

Absolutely! You might consider using the lower shelves for everyday items while reserving the upper cabinetry for storing things you use less often but still wish to display stylishly.

5. What should I keep in mind when choosing decor for my kitchen shelves?

Remember that the look of open shelves benefits greatly from not being overcrowded. Choose only things that serve both practical purposes and enhance your kitchen’s rustic look or whichever style you’re aiming for.

6. Are there any unique ideas for decorating kitchen shelves?

Consider painting your shelves in a different colour from the rest of your kitchen or adding lighting underneath them; this creates contrast and makes even simple displays stand out as part of your own kitchen design.

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