Open shelving is becoming a favourite in modern kitchen design, and for good reason. When styled well, it can bring personality and warmth to your space as well as being a unique way of filling in blank walls. As gorgeous as that sounds, if you don’t have a plan for decor then open shelves can end up looking overloaded and cluttered.
Open shelving is perfect for breaking up blank walls, lightening the look of a kitchen and showcasing your personal style. It works particularly well in smaller spaces, shaker kitchens, or designs that are trying to lean towards a relaxed, contemporary feel. The key to success here is intentional styling. Let’s look at what you can display to make your shelves look as inviting as possible.
Here’s some tips on how to decorate your kitchen’s open shelving so it stays tidy, practical and effortlessly beautiful.
Everyday Essentials
As well as ensuring the shelves look good aesthetically, you can also make this a practical addition to your kitchen. Display items that you genuinely use, but choose the prettiest versions! Think along the lines of neutral crockery and bowls, matching mugs or espresso cups or nice tumblers or wine glasses. By keeping these items in a cohesive colour palette, it instantly creates a calmer, more polished look whilst still being practical enough to slot into your everyday routine.
Natural Materials
Natural textures tend to soften the space and prevent shelves from feeling cold or clinical. You can incorporate this by either having bespoke solid timber shelves, or by adding woven baskets, wooden chopping boards and ceramic pieces to add warmth and depth while still being practical. If you choose to go with the boards, you have two placement options to add to more visual appeal to your shelves. Leaning them vertically against the wall adds height and naturally brings the eye up to a higher level if you have other tall things on the shelf, whereas stacking them flat at different angles adds another level of intricacy to something simple.
Greenery and Accents
Plants are one of the easiest ways to make open shelving feel fresh and styled. Some good options are trailing plants and small herbs to fill space. If you don’t have a green thumb and don’t want to worry about the life of a plant, faux greenery can work beautifully, especially when paired with neutral tones. Just be mindful of steam and heat if your shelves are close to the hob or the sink. As for extras, a few carefully chosen accessories go a long way, just be careful not to overload the shelf with too many pieces to avoid decorative clutter. Consider ceramic vases, cookbooks that have pretty spines or sculptures. A framed print here and there can also add to the overall look of the shelf, especially if it is linked to the kitchen world!
Now we’ve outlined some of the best accessories and styling tips for your shelves, we need to focus on keeping it tidy. What’s the point of having a bespoke shelf if it’s messy? Let’s have a look at how we can bring some order to the idea.
Stick to a Colour Scheme and Group Items Thoughtfully
The easiest way to keep shelves looking organised is consistency. Take the colour of your kitchen into consideration. If you have a brightly coloured kitchen then it could be that whites or offset colours bring some contrast. If you have a more neutral coloured kitchen then soft neutrals or earthy tones work especially well and allow the kitchen design itself to shine. Sticking to one colour throughout will also make your life easier when it comes to looking for decorations too. Style in small clusters rather than spreading items evenly across the shelf. Grouping in odd numbers (threes work particularly well) creates a more natural, designer‑led look. As already mentioned, varying heights and textures within each group helps with visual appeal and leads the eye across the shelf.
Edit Regularly but Leave Breathing Space
Just because it started on the shelf, it doesn’t mean it has to stay on the shelf. Open shelving simply isn’t the place for everything. If an item doesn’t earn its spot, either by being useful or beautiful, it’s best stored away behind closed doors. An easy way to see if your shelf needs a makeover is to do quick, seasonal edits to keeps shelves intentional and relevant. One important thing to remember is that negative space is just as important as what you display. Leaving gaps between items allows the shelves to feel light and airy rather than cluttered and overcrowded. Don’t feel like you have to fill the shelf up immediately either, the best things will come in time and your shelf will continue to feel curated and personable.
And finally…
Open shelving should feel calm and not chaotic. By combining practical pieces with a few thoughtful decorative touches, and keeping a disciplined approach to editing, you can create shelves that are both functional and beautiful. Styled with intention, open shelving becomes a feature that tells the story of your kitchen and the way you live in it.
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