Open Shelving In Kitchens: Styling And Organization Tips

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Open shelving has become a popular design choice in kitchens, offering a blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. By replacing traditional upper cabinets with open shelves, homeowners can create a more airy and inviting space that showcases their favorite kitchen items. However, styling and organizing these shelves can be challenging, especially for those who are new to this design trend. In this article, we will delve into the world of open shelving, providing you with practical tips and ideas to make the most of this versatile kitchen feature.

Why Choose Open Shelving?

Before diving into the styling and organization tips, it's essential to understand why open shelving is a great choice for kitchens. Here are some compelling reasons:

1. Aesthetic Appeal: Open shelving adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen. It allows you to display your favorite dishes, glasses, and other decorative items in plain sight, creating a visually appealing space.

2. Functionality: Open shelves can be just as functional as traditional cabinets. You can store everyday items like plates, bowls, and utensils within easy reach.

3. Space Efficiency: Open shelves take up less space than bulky cabinets, making them ideal for small kitchens or kitchenettes.

4. Flexibility: You can mix and match different types of shelving to create a unique look that suits your style and needs.

5. Budget-Friendly: Open shelving can be budget-friendly, especially when you opt for thrifted or vintage items to add character to your space.

How to Space Open Shelving in a Kitchen

When installing open shelving in your kitchen, it's crucial to consider the spacing between each shelf. Here are some guidelines:

1. Standard Spacing: The standard rule of thumb is to space open shelves 12 inches apart. However, this can vary depending on the size and type of items you plan to display.

2. Custom Spacing: If you want more flexibility in displaying various items, consider spacing your shelves 15-18 inches apart. This allows for easier access and layering of items.

3. Accessibility: Ensure that the shelves are at a comfortable height for easy access. Typically, the bottom shelf should be mounted at about 19 inches above the counter to accommodate daily use items like plates and bowls.

What to Put on Your Kitchen Floating Shelves

Open shelves are not just for displaying decorative items; they can also serve as functional storage spaces. Here are some practical ideas for what to put on your kitchen floating shelves:

1. Everyday Items: Display your everyday dishes, glasses, and utensils. This makes them easily accessible while adding to the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.

2. Glassware: Glassware such as wine glasses, tumblers, and serving dishes look beautiful on open shelves and are easy to clean.

3. Canisters: Use canisters to store pantry staples like flour, sugar, and coffee. These can be both functional and decorative.

4. Spice Containers: Glass spice containers are a great way to keep your spices organized while adding a touch of elegance to your shelves.

5. Vintage Items: Thrifted or vintage items like white dishes, ironstone, and pretty dish towels rolled up in unique baskets can add character to your space.

6. Fruit Bowls: Adding bowls of fruit is a great way to add color while keeping the shelves functional by freeing up counter space.

7. Cookbooks: Reserve the top shelf for less frequently used items like cookbooks or special occasion dishes.

How to Make Open Kitchen Shelves Look Good

While functionality is important, making your open shelves look good is equally crucial. Here are some tips:

1. Balance Larger Items: Create balance by spacing out larger items like mirrors or decorative vases. This ensures that the shelves do not look cluttered.

2. Add Decorative Elements: Incorporate decorative elements such as art pieces, seasonal decor accents, or small decorative items like flowers or frames.

3. Mix Textures: Mix different textures like wood, natural fibers, ceramic, stone, and glass to create a visually appealing arrangement.

4. Play with Styling: Experiment with different styling techniques such as placing items at a diagonal or using greenery to add texture and color.

5. Create Unity: Use the same type of shelving throughout your kitchen to create unity and cohesion in multiple spaces.

Styling Tips for Open Shelves

Styling open shelves is an art that requires some planning but can be incredibly rewarding. Here are some detailed styling tips:

1. Choose Form and Function: Ensure that most of the items on your shelves have a specific purpose in your kitchen. This could be everyday dishes or functional items like canisters.

2. Keep It Simple: Maintain a simple color palette to achieve a more streamlined look. Avoid cluttering the shelves with too many items; instead, opt for a few well-chosen pieces.

3. Add Greenery: Incorporate greenery like houseplants with differing textures to add a mood-boosting dose of greenery to your kitchen.

4. Vary Heights: Use items of varying heights so that your eye is drawn across the entire shelf. This creates visual interest and balance.

5. Mix Styles: Don’t feel limited to one type of shelving; mix floating shelves with open door shelving for a unique look.

6. Pair With Tile: For a clean modern look, pair wooden shelves with white tile or other contrasting materials to create a cohesive look.

Budget-Friendly Styling Ideas

Styling open shelves doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some budget-friendly ideas:

1. Thrifted Items: Thrift stores are a treasure trove for unique and affordable items that can add character to your space.

2. Neutral Pieces: Opt for neutral-colored pieces that can be mixed and matched without fear of clashing. This includes dinnerware, ceramic canisters, and planters.

3. Wooden Trays: Wooden trays are versatile and can be used for serving fruits and veggies or as a decorative element on your shelves.

4. Seasonal Decor: Rotate seasonal decor items like candles or vases to keep your shelves fresh and updated without spending much money.

Creating a Cohesive Look

Achieving a cohesive look on your open shelves involves several steps:

1. Theme Selection: Choose a theme or color scheme that ties everything together. This could be a vintage look with white dishes and ironstone or a modern look with glassware and greenery.

2. Item Placement: Place similar items on a diagonal to create balance and visual interest.

3. Textural Mix: Mix different textures like wood, ceramic, and glass to add depth to your arrangement.

4. Decorative Accents: Incorporate decorative accents like flowers or frames to add personality to your space.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While styling open shelves can be fun and rewarding, there are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Cluttering: Avoid cluttering the shelves with too many items; instead, opt for a few well-chosen pieces that serve a purpose.

2. Lack of Organization: Ensure that most of the items on your shelves have a specific purpose in your kitchen to maintain organization and functionality.

3. Inadequate Maintenance: Open shelves require more frequent dusting and cleaning compared to closed cabinets; make sure you have a plan in place for regular maintenance.

Conclusion

Open shelving is a versatile and stylish way to enhance your kitchen's functionality and aesthetic appeal. By following these tips on spacing, what to display, how to style, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a beautiful and functional space that reflects your personal style. Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or just starting out with your first kitchen renovation project, incorporating open shelving into your design can add a touch of elegance and efficiency that will make cooking and entertaining more enjoyable than ever before.

Additional Resources

For more inspiration and practical tips on styling and organizing your open kitchen shelves, consider checking out these additional resources:

• Robyn's French Nest: Offers practical open shelving kitchen ideas including tips on spacing and what to display.
• The Spruce: Provides 24 ideas for kitchens with open shelving, including styling tips and how to create unity in multiple spaces.
• DIY Playbook: Shares how to style open shelves in the kitchen by mixing functional and stylish items, including adding bowls of fruit for color and secret storage with canisters.
• Jenna Sue Design: Offers budget-friendly styling tips along with favorite kitchen decor finds from $3 to $50.
• Sanctuary Home Decor: Provides the easiest way to style open kitchen shelves by creating balance with color, texture, and theme.

By incorporating these tips into your kitchen design, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and functional space that showcases your personal style while enhancing the functionality of your kitchen.