The Complete Guide to Stylish & Functional Open Kitchen Shelving

If you're remodeling your kitchen or designing a new one, one key decision is determining your storage solutions. While closed cabinets have long been the norm, open shelving has emerged as an oftentimes stylish yet still practical alternative. From boosting aesthetics to adding functionality, open shelves offer unique benefits along with some considerations compared to traditional cabinetry.

In this complete guide, we'll explore creative ideas to leverage open shelving in ways that maximize both visual appeal and utility. From small kitchens to large gourmet spaces, open shelving allows for customizable and budget-friendly ways to store, display items, and finish your kitchen walls. Read on as we break down what you need to know, from design inspiration to storage solutions to pros and cons, to create shelving that suits your needs and style.

Style Ideas for Open Shelving

Aesthetic Appeal

One key advantage of open shelving is the ability to integrate it into your kitchen's decor seamlessly while using it functionally. Unlike bulky cabinetry dominating walls, open shelves tend to create a lighter, airier aesthetic. They allow you to creatively incorporate your kitchen items into the overall visual design.

For contemporary spaces, floating shelves often complement the modern minimalism well. Or iron piping with reclaimed wood shelves can craft an eye-catching industrial vibe. For more traditional kitchens, carved classic shelves with decorative brackets lend a timeless farmhouse feel.

Open shelves also fully showcase your wall paint colors and materials instead of hiding them behind closed cabinet doors. Whether you want to feature a textured tile backsplash or an accent wallpaper, transparent shelving prevents surfaces from getting obscured.

Decor Tips

When styling open shelves, think intentionally about what items you want visible and how to coordinate colors and textures. Use decorative bins, baskets, or containers to neatly corral similar ingredients or utensils. This organization looks uniform but adds visual depth.

Consider adding lighting like pendant lamps above or puck lights beneath shelves to create depth and highlight key items. Place vibrant dishware, ornate kettles, fresh herbs or decorative plants to infuse personality. Rotate items seasonally for a refreshed look. Most importantly, tidy shelves regularly so everything feels purposeful rather than cluttered.

Functional Tips for Open Shelving

Storage Solutions

While open shelving limits hiding clutter away behind doors, it fosters getting creative with visible storage solutions. Use bins, baskets, or dividers to neatly compartmentalize items based on category or frequency of use. Labeling helps identify contents at a quick glance.

Install shelves at varying heights to accommodate different item sizes rather than just top-to-bottom. Incorporate specialized holders for cutting boards, pans, or utensils when possible. For a blended approach, try open shelving just for key display items but use base or wall cabinets for containing other necessities.

Maintenance

The visibility of open shelving does demand maintaining tidiness since everything remains exposed. Prevent dust build-up by using shelves with doors rather than fully open designs. Glass pane doors protect contents while still allowing some visibility.

Be selective regarding what item types you store on open units. Reserve them for often-used dishware, decor, or cooking tools you don't mind repeatedly handling or washing. Keep bulkier appliances, lesser-used items, or extensive dish collections in closed cabinetry to limit handling.

Wipe down all shelves every couple weeks and fully wash dishes before returning them to maintain cleanliness. Use trays when possible to corral items and simplify moving them on and off shelves at once.

Designing Your Own Open Shelving

Layout Planning

Carefully measure your kitchen space first when planning shelf placement. Account for traffic flow, allowing for fully opening appliances without blocking access. Avoid locating right above a heat source like ovens or ranges.

Factor in ergonomics too when deciding on heights and depths. Standard counter height for prep work falls between 28-36 inches. Lower shelves 12-18 inches high commonly store larger platters or bulky pots. Pure display shelves work well taller up to 48 inches high.

If designing custom built-ins, sketch ideas using graphing paper with kitchen's dimensions handy. Reference online images or catalogs for inspiration on materials, configurations and styling ideas before finalizing plans.

Installation Guide

Unless experienced with complex carpentry, we recommend hiring a contractor for installing open shelving needing precise structural support. However, pre-made modular shelf kits are beginner-friendly DIY projects with easier assembly.

Floating shelves offer a simplistic option requiring just brackets secured into studs or drywall anchors. For more heavy-duty storage, sturdy wood mounted on L-brackets provides reliable strength. Wrought iron piping with reclaimed wood brings an industrial edge.

Carefully measure and level all units. Load shelves gradually once secured, starting light. Anchors and materials determine total weight capacity before risking dangerous buckling or collapse. Follow all safety measures when undertaking installations.

Maximizing Use of Open Shelving

Storage Hacks

While open designs limit private storage space compared to cabinets, various fixes can still optimize functionality.

For narrow galley kitchens, install shelves lengthwise over prep zones rather than towering heightwise for a less obstructed workflow. Corner shelves also exploit oft-wasted space wonderfully.

Tiered designs, alternating deep and shallow shelves helps stash both large and small wares efficiently. Sliding shelves and pull-out baskets also hides items when needed but accesses easily.

Functionality Tips

Take advantage of open shelving's easy access while cooking. Keep oils, spices, condiments and cooking tools stored at eye-level within view and arm's reach. Just slide ingredients from shelves directly into pans or prep bowls thanks convenient proximity.

Also maximize visibility factor when storing key appliances. Display go-to gadgets like stand mixers, toasters or Instant Pots rather than burying in cabinet, allowing you to use frequently and showcase too.

Just be sure to stash excess small appliances you use less often into lower cabinets to keep counters and prime shelves freed up. Having those items still accessible but just out of primary way prevents excessive clutter.

At the end of the day, open shelving versus closed cabinetry involves balancing visual design and utility. Weigh your lifestyle priorities along with kitchen layout and workflow to determine if transparent, stylish shelves or private, muted cabinets work best or if combining both provides an ideal blend.

Keep in mind more open storage remains better suited to the tidy and diligent able to regularly clean and curate contents attractively. But for those craving both fashion and function from their kitchenscape, innovative shelving grants creative prospects.

Built smartly and styled properly, open shelves unlock potential for organized displays, unbroken sightlines and an airier ambiance. Hopefully the tips and inspiration within this guide illuminates helpful possibilities for your next kitchen revamp!