Easy Tips for Decorating Open Kitchen Shelves

Open shelving has become a popular kitchen design trend, offering both form and function. Exposing your beautiful dishware, cookbooks, and pantry items provides a casually chic look. The key is decorating those open shelves in a way that expresses your personal style while keeping things organized. Follow these easy tips to create stunning open shelves that will be the focal point of your kitchen.

When designing open shelving, first decide on the right placement and number of shelves needed for your kitchen. Measure the space and assess where you need storage for dishes, cooking items, or frequently used ingredients. Optimal shelf placement depends on your workflow and storage needs. Just be sure to leave enough countertop workspace.

Choosing the Right Shelves

The materials you choose for open shelves will set the tone for your kitchen's style. Warm wood shelves provide a rustic, cottage feel. Stainless steel or metalmesh lends an industrial vibe, while glass shelves keep things light and airy.

If you're installing new open shelves, wooden boards on basic L-brackets offer an easy DIY option. For more heavy-duty shelving, choose premade modular systems or have custom built-ins created. Salvaged wood is also a charming, budget-friendly choice. And don't overlook creative materials like repurposed laddersthat double as shelves.

Assessing Your Storage Needs

Take inventory of what you need to store on open shelving. Frequently used mugs, spices, cooking tools, and snacks should be easily accessible. Glassware for entertaining could be displayed attractively. And utilize higher or corner shelves for items used less often.

Be sure to have adequate shelf space for all your kitchen supplies before removing cabinets. Aim for a practical balance between open and closed storage.

Choosing Shelf Placements

Typically open shelves work best above counters or sinks. Shelving around the stove may collect grease, while shelves very close to cooktops present a fire hazard.

Consider the existing layout and how you navigate your kitchen when deciding on shelf placement. Optimize organization by putting daily use items right where you need them.

Selecting Items to Display

Now for the fun part - choosing what to showcase! Focus on pieces that are aesthetically pleasing and meaningful. Collections, heirlooms, or pottery made by a local artisan are great choices.

Of course, your shelves also need to store functional kitchenware. Designate an area for mugs, another for spices, and so on. Keeping similar items grouped together looks visually cohesive.

Editing Down Clutter

Clutter is the enemy of chic open shelves. Be selective about what makes the cut. If it's cracked, chipped, or something you never use, toss it. Edit down to your very favorite, most beautiful pieces.

Remember, you can store overflow or ragged items in closed cabinets. Display just your best on open shelves to maintain that curated look.

Everyday Items to Include

Consider keeping these frequently used items on your new open shelves:

• Mugs and drinking glasses
• Spices, oils, and vinegars
• Baking essentials like flour and sugar
• Favorite cookbooks
• Canisters, ceramic jars, or other sturdy containers

Styling and Arranging Items

Now for the fun styling part! To create an artful arrangement, use these tips:

Overlap - Layering items adds depth and dimension. Place taller items in back and shorter ones in front. Overlapping also lets you fit more on the shelves.

Vary heights - Incorporating different shapes and heights adds interest. Mix in some vertical elements like artwork or vases.

Cluster in groups - For the most pleasing look, group items in odd numbers like sets of three or five. Keep them clustered close together.

Anchor shelves - Use larger accent pieces like wooden boards, artwork, or trays as anchors. Build up around them with other items.

Using Books and Boards

Books and wooden boards make perfect anchor pieces. Stack a few favorite cookbooks on their sides and lean them against the wall. Or stand up a handsome cutting board to layer items in front.

These horizontal pieces also help define the shelves visually. Then you can creatively build up the rest of the displays around them.

Achieving Balance

Step back periodically to check that items look balanced. Make sure the shelves don't appear too cluttered on one side or overloaded on one end. Symmetry creates a pleasing aesthetic.

For longer shelves, consider repeating patterns on each side. But don't overdo the symmetry or your shelves may look unnatural.

Adding Pops of Color

While neutral shelves suit many kitchens, don't overlook opportunities to inject color! Add vibrant accent pieces like teal canisters, yellow vintage mugs, or red ceramic vases. Just be sure colors coordinate with the rest of your kitchen.

If your kitchen uses a subtle, neutral palette, one or two bold colors make shelves pop. Or match accent colors found in tiles, backsplashes, or artwork already in your kitchen.

Choosing Color Schemes

Some foolproof approaches for choosing shelf colors:

• One neutral, one accent color, plus white/ivory
• Earthy hues like browns, greens, and blues
• Shades found in inspiration piece like landscape art

Kick up the visual impact even more by painting the wall behind open shelves an accent color that complements your choices.

Accessorizing Your Shelves

Take your open shelves from basic storage to bold statement by accessorizing them. Baskets, trays, and jars add character and corralling capacity. Candles, greenery, and artwork provide decorative flair.

Functional Accessories

Baskets or bins are great for grouping small items that could otherwise look cluttered. For a farmhouse style, use woven baskets. Metal tins suit an industrial kitchen. Clear glass canisters show off contents.

Trays help designate areas for specific items like barware or coffee essentials while adding color and pattern.

Decorative Accessories

Don't overlook aesthetically pleasing accessories to liven your shelves:

• Plants or small potted herbs
• Colorful or patterned ceramic vases
• Rustic wood bowls
• Candles, oils, or perfumes to display
• Picture frames showcasing favorite art or photos

Organizing Your Shelves

Beauty meets utility with some savvy organization tactics. Group items according to usage patterns. Designate areas based on meal or activity. Here are some ideas:

Coffee station - Mugs, sugar, spoons, coffee, espresso maker

Bar area - Glasses, shakers, alcohol bottles, bar tools

Baking station - Flour, sugar, spices, measuring cups

Houseplants or herb garden

Breakfast nook - Cereals and fruit in containers

Maximizing Efficiency

Place items you use most regularly in easy to access areas, at arm's or hand's reach. Reserve upper shelves or far ends for appliances, overflow items, or sentimental pieces used less often.

Editing down to essentials you actually use also avoids wasting precious shelf real estate. Pare down to pieces that serve a purpose and bring joy.

Building an Open Pantry

For a streamlined cooking workflow, incorporate open shelves right into your pantry area. Store dry goods, spices, oils, and other staples for easy access as you cook.

Use baskets or attractive canisters to keep bulk ingredients organized. Employ hooks on the shelves' undersides for utensil storage.

Personalizing Your Shelves

Now for the fun finishing touches to infuse personality into your open shelves. Display favorite collections or sentimental items. Introduce greenery, artwork, or pops of color that show off your unique taste.

Groupings of objects you love inject your shelves with special meaning. A display of vintage pottery inherited from a grandmother. Framed artwork from a local fair. Yourcollection of quirky salt and pepper shakers.

Add Greenery

Potted herb gardens add freshness and life to open shelves. Go modern with succulents or sleek pots, or choose terra cotta pots for a rustic vibe. Select low maintenance plants that fit your growing conditions.

Trailing ivy, small ferns, and air plants also work nicely. Just be sure plants don't block cooking ventilation.

Showcase Meaningful Collections

Display your prized collections attractively on open shelves to express your passions. Possible collections to showcase include:

• Vintage cookbooks
• Tea tins from around the world
• Unique coffee mugs
• Colorful glassware
• Figurines, statues, or artwork
• Old family photos or postcards in frames

Curating mini galleries makes your shelves conversation pieces and reflections of what you love.

Evaluating Your Shelves

Stand back and look at your shelves periodically with fresh eyes. Make sure items don't crowd or overwhelm the shelves. Edit down clutter or pieces that no longer suit the space.

Check that heights, colors, and textures remain balanced. Move pieces around until the overall look seems cohesive. Rearrange displays seasonally to keep your shelves feeling fresh.

Making Adjustments Over Time

Don't be afraid to tweak your shelves as needed. As you add new pieces, take away items you use less often. Shift things around to accommodate changing storage needs or new display themes.

Maintaining symmetry helps keep shelves looking neat yet casual. So if you remove something from one side, take something from the other side too.

Editing Down Clutter

Prevent clutter buildup by periodically removing pieces you don't need or love. Donate unused gadgets or dishware. Store off-season items or overflow pieces in cupboards until needed.

Take the time to thoughtfully curate shelves again. Limiting quantity avoids a crammed look.

With a bit of planning and styling, open shelves become stunning focal points rather than just plain storage. Use these tips to decorate shelves that express your personal tastes and keep your kitchen items organized.

Selecting the right mix of functional yet beautiful pieces transforms simple shelves into an artful display. Repeat colors, cluster items, and accessorize to pull your design together. But don't overcrowd - a carefully curated look has more impact.

Tweak and edit your shelves as needed to maintain balance and de-clutter. Most importantly, enjoy the process of styling open shelves to showcase your collections and favorite things!