Open kitchen shelves have become very popular in current kitchen design, as it turns organising into a design feature and add interest to a kitchen. Open shelves help to keep your kitchen airy and expansive, and also provide an opportunity to show off your personality in the kitchen.
However, it can be daunting to figure out how to turn your jumble of plates and mugs into a cohesive display, and make your shelves both functional and visually pleasing. Before you simply place your kitchen items on the shelves, get strategic — there are many different ways to style open kitchen shelves and effortlessly pull off a gorgeous display.
1. Display your Collection
Open shelves are the perfect way to display kitchen-related collections, and it should be reserved for a thoughtful selection of items. Whether you collect glassware, ceramic bowls, vintage tea cups, salt and pepper shakers, mugs or anything in between, arrange them on your shelf!
2. Display Appliances
If you love cooking and have beautiful sets of cookware or collection, don’t be afraid to use open kitchen shelves to display your collection of pots and pans. Although we normally see shelves are for serving ware such as plates and bowls, but matching cookware will definitely give your kitchen a unique aesthetic. If your pots and pans don’t match, you can also alternate your cookware with plates as well.
3. Make a Pantry
You may also consider creating a pantry with open kitchen shelves. Decanting cooking supplies into neat matching jars will gives you a certain amount of satisfaction, and the visibility will help you know exactly how much you have left of certain ingredients. This will help you keep a more organised pantry, and your ingredients will also be kept airtight. Whether it is for spices and seasonings, baking ingredients, or kitchen utensils, consider what will best match your style. Start by gathering those matching containers, whether they are glass jars, pottery, or bins.
4. Coffee Bar
If you have a nice coffee maker, you’ll likely want to carve out a little space to create a charming coffee and tea station. This can be as simple as adding a couple of shelves above the coffee machine, and just place mugs, sugar jars, coffee beans, tea pot, on the shelving. Everything you need for your morning coffee is all at your fingertips.
5. Build a Home Bar
Always wanted a bar in your kitchen but never had the space? You can quickly and simply create your bar on any open wall in your kitchen. Add some shelves and a wine cooler to create a bar station in that plain corner of your kitchen. And take an array of beautifully bottled liquors and make them into a simple home bar, don’t forget to pop some fancy glasses too!
6. Be Practical
If you prefer more practical, place items on shelves according to your daily use. You can display the items you reach for on a daily basis, like your favourite cooking utensils. Your everyday items like pots, pans, and dinnerware are great candidates for open shelves because you use and wash them frequently, so they don’t have an opportunity to gather dust.
Remember to consider ease of access as you decide where to place items on open shelves. For example, lower shelves to place dishware that you use on a daily basis, so it's easy to reach. Reserve the top shelf for lesser-used items like fancy glassware or larger pots.
7. Keep it Minimal
Like the stylish open shelving, but worry about all the dusting it takes to keep a tidy space? Just keep it minimal by displaying only a few items, such as an air-purifying plant and a few nice dishes. Don't cram everything you own on the shelves. Instead, edit your collection and give the items room to breathe on the shelf. This way it’ll be easy to dust and aesthetically pleasing.
8. Add Green Touch/ Herbs
Kitchen shelves are the perfect place for bringing some greenery into your kitchen. You can turn your open shelving into a mini garden display, or add some small plants between your plates and bowls. Succulents are a great option to style open shelving as they don’t require a lot of care. You can also plant your favourite herbs in some gorgeous pots to create an indoor herb garden, always provide yourself fresh ingredients for your favourite recipes.