Floating Shelves to Organize and Style Your Kitchen
Finding creative ways to maximize kitchen storage and display space can be a challenge in many homes. Floating shelves offer an innovative solution to make the most of unused nooks and open up your kitchen's potential. Mounted directly on the wall without a base, floating shelves create extra space to neatly organize your essentials while also adding stylish display space for dishes, décor, and more.
From sleek metal shelves that evoke an industrial vibe to rustic wood shelves that warm up a space, you're sure to find clever floating shelf solutions and designs to suit your style.
Types of Floating Shelves to Suit Your Kitchen's Style
Floating shelves come in a range of materials to complement your existing kitchen décor or make a design statement. Consider which option best fits your aesthetic preferences and storage needs.
Wood Shelves
Wood is a popular choice for its natural beauty and warmth. Wood floating shelves can be stained, painted, or finished to match your current cabinetry or intentionally stand out.
Opt for oak, maple, or birch boards for a contemporary wood shelf. Distressed, reclaimed barnwood makes a charming rustic statement. Go bold with brightly colored shelves that contrast your cabinets.
Metal Shelves
For a sleek, modern look, metal floating shelves add an industrial vibe. Brushed stainless steel, matte black, or hammered copper shelves infuse your kitchen with an urban loft aesthetic.
Pair metal shelves with glass or wood accents to soften the look. Copper shelves will develop a unique patina over time.
Glass Shelves
Tempered glass floating shelves provide a lightweight, transparent display. Their simple lines help maintain an airy, uncluttered appearance. For extra dazzle, install LED lights underneath.
Mix glass shelves with wood or metal brackets. Or create a unique accent wall with multiple stacked glass shelves.
Ideal Spaces for Floating Shelves in Your Kitchen
Take advantage of the versatile placement options floating shelves provide. Mount them in often overlooked or challenging spaces to maximize your kitchen's storage potential.
Full Wall Open Shelving
Replace bulky upper cabinets with an entire wall of open floating shelves. This makes a bold style statement and provides easy access to dishes, cookbooks, plants and more. Stagger the shelves at varying levels for visual interest.
Blind Corner Shelves
Leaving corner spaces empty results in wasted space. Install angled or rotating shelves to transform useless corners into functional storage.
Next to Stove
Mount slim shelves near your stove to keep oil, spices, utensils and other cooking essentials within arm's reach.
Above the Sink
While it's best to avoid the space directly below upper cabinets, floating shelves mounted higher offer a place for soaps, sponges and cleaning supplies.
Creative Ways to Style Your New Floating Shelves
Once you've installed your shelves, it's time for the fun part - styling! Avoid clutter by displaying only your most used items in an organized way.
Everyday Items
Keep frequently used ingredients, gadgets and tools readily available. Having go-to items like olive oil, salt and pepper grinders, saucepan lids and more on display reduces rummaging time.
Plates, Bowls and Glassware
Create visual impact by stacking coordinating plates, bowls and mugs. For extra tiers, use acrylic risers. Arrange pieces symmetrically for a clean, balanced look.
Plants, Books and Decor
Show off your personality with curated objects like succulents, cookbooks, ceramic pieces and artwork. Floating shelves allow you to constantly change up the decorative display.
Spices and Oils
Keep spices and oil bottles neatly lined up in plain sight. For a streamlined look, affix uniform labels.
Installation Tips for Seamless Floating Shelves
While floating shelves don't require extensive carpentry skills, precise installation is key. Follow these tips for smooth and sturdy shelf mounting.
Locate Studs
Use an electronic stud finder to identify precisely where the wall studs are. Shelves must attach securely to studs to hold weight.
Secure Strong Brackets
Screw heavy duty shelf brackets firmly into the wall studs using a drill. Pay attention to weight ratings to ensure your shelf doesn't overload the brackets.
Level and Mount Shelves
Before permanently placing on brackets, verify shelves will be perfectly straight using a level. Then slide onto brackets and secure following the manufacturer's instructions.
Tips for Styling Your Space
Once your floating shelves are filled, complete the look with these finishing touches:
- Mix up materials, finishes and silhouettes for depth
- Add accent lighting above or beneath shelves as a dramatic effect
- Incorporate decorative objects like vases, framed photos and potted greenery
- Edit often to keep displays organized and clutter-free
Floating shelves open up new storage possibilities and give your kitchen design a fresh, contemporary edge. Use them to neatly tuck away essentials or artfully display cherished dishes and objects.
With some planning and styling creativity, floating shelves can transform wasted space into a conversation piece that adds both form and function to your kitchen.