One of my favorite trends in the modern kitchen is open shelving. Like it’s name, it really can open up the space to create a welcoming feel and it’s quite convenient for restocking clean dishes. One of the most common concerns I hear from clients when I throw the idea out to them is that they’re afraid it will look messy. “I’m not sure we are the kind of people who can have everything out in the open. We’re so cluttered all the time!” is a common echo. However, I love when I get to help my clients break through this perceived barrier and explain how it can actually simplify their lives and make things LESS cluttered.
Here are some rules to keep in mind when you are putting together your open shelving to make sure it feel inviting and not overwhelming.
Rules for Open Shelving in your Kitchen
Keep in Simple
Open shelving can get cluttered and distracting quickly. Make sure you keep the colors and items simple. I gravitate to the neutrals but you can still rock a bright color palate and still keep your shelving decor simple and consistent.
Include a Lighting Element
This helps set apart the shelving from the rest of the space and illuminates your shelving. It is also just very practical to have well lit spaces in your kitchen! These lights are really similar to the ones we used in the project in the photo!
Add Texture
Bring in another element like greenery, cotton (I love this wreath!), or nature to your shelving decor. When everything feels the same (smooth glasses, plates, bowls) your eye is left wanting more. Break it up with some different textures like plants (fake or real) or cutting boards!
Include Practical Items
You want to display the items that you use the most. That is why open shelving is so convenient! Set out your common serving utensils (make sure they match), your french press, and your go to drink pitcher. Those things can double as decor and also help you move around your kitchen easier when you are using it!
Spread items Out
The way you stock cabinets is not the same way you stock open shelves. Don’t just stack all your plates and bowls in large piles next to each other. Place a small stack on one shelf with several cereal bowls on top and place your other plates elsewhere (say sideways on a rack or propped behind a small stack of plates.)
Use Everyday Items as Decor
Set out flour, sugar, and coffee in canisters that match your decor. Display your salt & pepper shaker and your oil & vinegar jars.
The more simple you keep your open shelving, the longer the longevity of it! You can switch out different elements for the holidays or seasons but you are not needing to replace everything every other year when trends or personal preference changes! Here are some of my favorite Amazon finds for Open Shelving!
Open Shelves Everywhere!
We focused on tips for kitchens, but these can be incorporated in other household areas as well. Check out this amazing dry bar area in a model home staged by the fantastic Lydia Andrews of Maple and Moss Staging and Designs.
@mapleandmoss did an amazing job staging these open shelves!
In this fun space, she incorporated wall paper behind the floating shelves to add some decorative interest. By keeping the displayed dishes and accessories on the shelves simple, she allowed the wallpaper to stand out as the focal point and not compete for attention with other items.
STAGING OTHER AREAS WITH OPEN SHELVING
Bathrooms:
Canister with open bars of soap, basket for rolled hand towels or washcloths, a plaque or wordsmith art, folded bath towels and hand towels, a basket for rolls of toilet paper, a candle (my favorite one ever ) , Poo-pourri spray
Wet /Dry Bars:
Beer steins, wine glasses, cocktail glasses, water glasses, small vases with live or fake plants, cocktail shakers, carafes, pitchers
Offices:
Motivational saying plaques, small vases with succulents or live plants, books (you can recover these with monochromatic craft paper or even spray paint the biding to make it more color-coordinated), a basket or box with small office supplies, small statues, driftwood, or tokens from a trip that hold sentimental value