Weekly Design Inspiration: How to style Open Kitchen Shelving
Open kitchen shelving is becoming more and more popular in home design today. It allows light to travel through the kitchen freely and unobstructed by bulky overhead cabinets.
Although open shelving is not for everyone, it can make a kitchen feel large and airy if done correctly. Be careful not to overdo the styling because it is easy to go from elegantly styled to cluttered and messy. I’ve shared some tips below on how to get it right the first time!
When considering incorporating open shelving, consider how much storage space you have. Do you have enough closed storage to hide away your not so beautiful kitchen wares? If there is enough space hidden away, use the open shelving to display your decorative items and special heirloom pieces.
If you will be using open shelving as your primary source of storage, consider what your dinnerware looks like, if they match and if you will be irritated every time you walk into the kitchen to see them on display. There is no right or wrong answer, just consider how you live, whether you're tidy and if you really want everything out. After all, you’re the one who sees it the most.
Candace Plotz Design
Always start with a blank slate. Take this step to consider the more structural design aspects like what material to use for the shelving. Do you want glass, live edge wood, melamine? What colours or themes do you want to incorporate? Consider adding decorative sconces above to add visual interest.
Candace Plotz
2. Add your bigger pieces first like decorative plates or serving bowls. Consider displaying large items like chopping boards vertically to add more height. It’s important to incorporate different heights and textures to the space to avoid feeling cluttered and wasting space.
3. Group items such as cups and mugs by colour or size. Not only is this more visually appealing, but it will make finding things so much easier when you need them. No need to dig through the cupboard to find what you need.
Studio McGee
4. Incorporate beautiful storage pieces for food items like flour, pasta and rice. Consider decanting packages into glass containers to turn your food items into an artistic design element. If you’re worried about losing the used by dates or other helpful information from the package, write it on the back or bottom of the jar in whiteboard marker or include the cut out nutritional information from the package in the underside of the lid.
Bigger than the three of us
5. Include pottery and vases of varying shapes, sizes and heights to create visual appeal. Less used items that usually don’t remain on display when not in use can be shown off easily. Does anyone else feel guilty stuffing away that beautiful china vase when you don’t have fresh flowers in the house? Feel guilt no more!
6. Add small accessories like candles, jars and dome cloches. I know we all have a secret stash that have no place to be displayed in the home. This is their chance to shine!
Photography by Minette Hand for Apartment Therapy
7. Add greenery, living or artificial to add some life and a splash of colour to the space! This would be a perfect space to have potted herbs - easy access while cooking!
8. Consider adding leaning artwork or other visually appealing pieces to round out the look.
Bigger than the three of us
