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Styling Open Kitchen Shelving

A white kitchen with open wood shelving filled with containers, bowls, and plants.

Tips for pulling off a gorgeous display

Open kitchen shelving serves up a trifecta of benefits: having items easily within reach makes your kitchen a more efficient workspace, while displaying things you love adds interest to the room. Plus, open shelving can make your kitchen feel more open and airy. If you’re not fully sold on how open shelving will look in your kitchen, you don’t need to go all-in at once. Simply remove a set of cabinet doors and see how things feel after a few months. (Removing cabinet doors is also less hassle than replacing cabinets with new open shelving, if you do decide to commit.)

Getting Started

A bit of planning goes a long way toward open shelving that’s well styled. One of the most important points to keep in mind is that you’ll want to include items that are functional as well as decorative. Select items that you frequently use, such as glasses, plates and other everyday dishware. Then gather some of your favorite eye-catching pieces. 

Take stock of what you’ve selected—if you have a lot of pieces made out of the same materials, such as glass or china, add some texture. A uniquely shaped wooden cutting board or a small, framed piece of artwork help balance the smooth look of dishware. 

When organizing your arrangement, keep the things you use most often on the lowest shelf, though take care not to stack dishes too high. Mix taller and smaller items together for a balanced look, rather than placing all the taller items in the back and the shorter ones in front. Also try to avoid overcrowding; thoughtfully curated shelves are easier on the eyes than shelves that appear to be a catchall for stuff.

Adding Flair to Function

As mentioned earlier, open shelving is not only ideal for storing dishes, but for infusing a bit of personality into your kitchen. Use the following ideas as a springboard for inspiration—and go from there. 

Choose a Color Palette

If visual harmony is your Zen, stick to a single color palette, such as neutrals or bold colors that make a statement.

Open wood shelving filled with glass jars, plates, and tea cups. Keep everyday plates on the bottom shelf, for easy access.
A white kitchen with open wood shelving filled with bowls, plates, and potted plants. Neutral colors add warmth to a white kitchen.

Show Off Collections

Open kitchen shelving is a great place to show off collections, from artisan pottery and vintage salt and pepper shakers to milk glass, jadeite and your grandmother’s china. 

Include Plants

Houseplants make any room more inviting, including the kitchen. Just be sure to select plants based on their light requirements and the amount of sunlight your shelves get during the day.

Bright green kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, and jars. Set aside room to display your favorite collectibles.
A white kitchen with open wood shelving filled with bowls, plates, and potted plants. A houseplant or two adds dimension and visual interest.

Use Baskets

Woven baskets not only look pretty, but they also work well for corralling kitchen gadgets you use frequently, but that aren’t display worthy.

Store Cookbooks

Open shelving is perfect for keeping your go-to cookbooks at your fingertips. Arrange them on the lowest shelf so they’re easily within reach.

Wicker baskets fill sitting on open wood shelving. Store hard-working kitchen gadgets in pretty baskets.
Open wood shelving featuring books, bowls, and jars. Give cookbooks you love center stage.

Spice Things Up

Decant often-used spices into mini glass jars, add pretty labels and voilà—you have an eye-catching, everyday staples. (Side note: Don’t store spices on shelves that are over or directly next to your oven or cooktop, as they can lose their flavor when exposed to heart.) 

Incorporate Seasonal Décor

Love changing up your décor with the time of year? Then why not carry that through to your kitchen shelves? A small bouquet of spring flowers or a few mini pumpkins in the fall serve as a tasteful nod to the season.

Wicker baskets fill sitting on open wood shelving. Store hard-working kitchen gadgets in pretty baskets.
Open wood shelving featuring spice jars and pine cones. Use seasonal décor to fill out shelves.

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