featured 95030

Open Kitchen Shelving Ideas and Practical Design Tips

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
Kitchen Open Shelving Ivory Lane

I always try to save at least one spot for open shelving when I design a kitchen. In previous homes I even removed cabinet doors to create open shelves. Kitchens often feel cold because of all the hard surfaces, and open shelving brings warmth, light and personality while remaining practical and functional.

As we begin the Best of the Best Kitchen Inspiration series, here are ideas for adding open shelving to your kitchen. These examples offer a range of styles and practical tips from my own experience. I didn’t include every kitchen I love, but I selected a variety to spark ideas and help you decide how open shelving might work in your space.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.Kitchen open shelving – Dresser Homes

I love an open cabinet at the end of an island. I had an open bookcase on my island in an English Tudor kitchen and although it collected a bit more dust than wall shelves, it looked charming. For ease of cleaning, use that space for cookbooks, baskets or cookware you don’t mind rinsing before use. If your layout allows, open shelving in an island or lower cabinet can be a lovely design touch.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
Coastal Living

Shelves fit beautifully around a doorway and using brackets creates a relaxed, casual look. This placement makes good use of otherwise unused wall space.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
Our House

Tucking open shelves between two cabinets breaks up a wall of closed cabinetry and adds visual interest. It’s an effective way to get the layered look of a tiled wall without tiling the whole area.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
open shelving – Southern Living

Open shelving is especially helpful in small kitchens. Visually it expands the room and offers a place for personal touches that make the space feel inviting. Use shelves for everyday dishes in compact kitchens—stacking like items keeps the display tidy and intentional.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
kitchen open shelving – Cortney Bishop via Look Linger Love

Wood shelves add warmth and character beside painted cabinets. Natural materials create contrast and a cozy atmosphere.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
The Inspired Room – Townhouse

You don’t need a full remodel to get the open-shelf look. A cart with shelving, an IKEA unit or a hanging rod can create an eclectic, functional display for frequently used items.

Kitchen open shelves add warmth, charm and function. Click through for more inspiration in the post!House Beautiful

Corner areas are often awkward for cabinetry, so open shelving is a smart solution. It’s easier to reach and typically costs less than adding a new cabinet when remodeling.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.The Inspired Room

Removing cabinet doors is a quick way to create open shelving. Adding planking to the back of the cabinet can give depth and detail for a finished look.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
Kitchen open shelves – Workbrook by Westbrook

Flanking a quality hood with open shelves creates a focused, charming display on a featured wall and gives easy access to frequently used items.

Kitchen open shelves add charm and character to a kitchen. Click through for other ways to incorporate open shelving in a kitchen.
BHG

Mixing cabinets and open shelving creates a unique design statement. Brackets, floating shelves or open cabinet boxes change the overall feel, so choose the details that match your style.

Kitchen open shelves offer an opportunity to make a fantastic style statement as well providing storage for your everyday dishes and cookbooks. Click through for more ideas and inspiration in the post!
BHG

If you collect pretty dishes, put them on display. Your kitchen should make you smile—use the things that bring you joy to personalize the space.

Kitchen Open Shelving - Gray and White Kitchen
Southern Living Idea House

Floating shelves or simple brackets with white and clear dishes give a streamlined, airy look that suits modern or transitional kitchens.

Kitchen Open Shelf - The Inspired Room
Kitchen open shelving on The Inspired Room

A single shelf can define a coffee station or provide a place to swap seasonal decor. One well-placed shelf often makes a big impact.

Amazing kitchen open shelves to display dishes. Click through to find ideas and more inspiration for kitchen shelving in the post!
kitchen open shelving via BHG

On a large wall you can create a dramatic feature with multiple shelves, favorite tile and statement lighting for a highly styled look.

Kitchen Open Shelving Style Notes:

Open shelving won’t suit every homeowner, but choosing the right style and items can make it work in many kitchens. Consider the following:

  • Reserve open shelves for attractive items. Store unattractive or rarely used items in closed cabinets. If you’re not using pretty dishes daily, consider switching—everyday beauty makes routine tasks more enjoyable. Thrift shops and inexpensive sets make collecting attractive dishes affordable over time.
  • If you have children or are concerned about breakage, many durable and attractive unbreakable dishware options work well for open displays.
  • You can control the overall look by the amount of shelving and how you style it. More shelves and looser styling create an eclectic vibe; fewer shelves and tidy stacks create a streamlined, modern feel. Tailor the approach to your aesthetic.
  • Shelf style matters: brackets, floating shelves, open cabinet boxes or island shelves all influence the final appearance. Mix and match elements you love to make the design your own.

Open Shelving Concerns about Cleanliness:

Worries about dust and cooking grime are common. These practical suggestions may help:

  • Dust is usually manageable if you use the items frequently or enjoy styling them. Regular light dusting becomes part of caring for the space rather than a chore.
  • Open shelves near a stove can collect grime, but proper ventilation greatly reduces buildup. If the shelves are in a high-traffic cooking area, plan for occasional cleaning or place less delicate items elsewhere.
  • Shelves on the lower part of an island tend to collect more dust than wall shelves, so think about what you store there and how often you want to clean it.
  • If dust is a persistent issue in your home, investigate air filtration or duct cleaning to reduce buildup throughout the kitchen.

What open shelving look do you love the most? To make the most of your remodeling dollars, choose classic elements that will bring lasting joy. A kitchen doesn’t need to feel sterile to stand the test of time—let it reflect your personality so you enjoy being there. Create a kitchen you truly love and you may even come to enjoy doing the dishes.

Love the look of open shelving? Click through for lots of inspiration and tips for what to consider and what not to worry about when incorporating open shelving in a kitchen.