10 Ways to Deal With Open Kitchen Shelves
Here are tips on how to keep kitchen items looking attractive, organised and within easy reach on open shelves
Rashmi Haralalka
28 July 2017
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about writing, especially interior design, home decor, and home improvement. I believe that details are not just details... they make the design. Connect with me on:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rashmi-sharda-b79b8119
Email: rashmiharalalka@gmail.com
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about writing, especially... More
Most people think that open shelves don’t offer enough storage or are high-maintenance as they get covered in dust and grime in no time. However, when styled and maintained right, they bring an airy feel to small spaces and optimise storage too. Here is a guide to stylish open-shelf layouts.
1. Combine the best of both worlds
Merge open shelving and closed upper and lower cabinets to get the best of both worlds. Open shelves give enclosed areas like wall-to-wall cabinetry the much-needed sense of openness. In this picture, SEA Group Germany gives plenty of in-view space with open shelves to display potted herbs, canisters and oils. The spotlights bring in drama and celebrate prized kitchen treasures while the bulk of the kitchenware remains quietly in the cabinets!
Merge open shelving and closed upper and lower cabinets to get the best of both worlds. Open shelves give enclosed areas like wall-to-wall cabinetry the much-needed sense of openness. In this picture, SEA Group Germany gives plenty of in-view space with open shelves to display potted herbs, canisters and oils. The spotlights bring in drama and celebrate prized kitchen treasures while the bulk of the kitchenware remains quietly in the cabinets!
2. Arrange items for ease of use
Group items according to requirement to ease the breakfast- or dinner-time rush. The no-fuss shelves give you quick access to everyday essentials. In this space, the designer sets up two vertical shelving units – one for daily use glassware and the other for decorative pieces and once-in-a-blue-moon platters.
Group items according to requirement to ease the breakfast- or dinner-time rush. The no-fuss shelves give you quick access to everyday essentials. In this space, the designer sets up two vertical shelving units – one for daily use glassware and the other for decorative pieces and once-in-a-blue-moon platters.
Take a cue from this space to group your kitchen essentials. The everyday spices and masalas should be stacked on the bottom while your wooden salad bowls or special china can be placed on the top shelves as they are not used every day.
3. Go for a multi-shelving unit
Pack a punch with custom-built open shelves for extra storage. They are budget-friendly and offer endless design possibilities, including some in wood and steel. This image shows a modular kitchen unit with shelves of different sizes and shapes supported by rods. The set-up also features a functional ledge that acts as a makeshift island or breakfast counter.
5 Things to Know Before Installing a Modular Kitchen
Pack a punch with custom-built open shelves for extra storage. They are budget-friendly and offer endless design possibilities, including some in wood and steel. This image shows a modular kitchen unit with shelves of different sizes and shapes supported by rods. The set-up also features a functional ledge that acts as a makeshift island or breakfast counter.
5 Things to Know Before Installing a Modular Kitchen
8. Convert them into a pantry
Don’t let the precious space in nooks and corners go to waste. Open shelves can be converted into a fully functional pantry in these otherwise neglected spots. From your blenders to grocery, everything can be tightly packed into these storage areas.
How to Bring a Pantry Into Your Kitchen
Don’t let the precious space in nooks and corners go to waste. Open shelves can be converted into a fully functional pantry in these otherwise neglected spots. From your blenders to grocery, everything can be tightly packed into these storage areas.
How to Bring a Pantry Into Your Kitchen
4. Use them as a partition
Open shelves are a great way to demarcate spaces without blocking off an open floor plan. As shown in the image, a floating design is used to partition the kitchen from the rest of the living area. Here, the shelves are mounted on steel brackets to support dishes. The unit also makes your kitchenware accessible from either side.
Open shelves are a great way to demarcate spaces without blocking off an open floor plan. As shown in the image, a floating design is used to partition the kitchen from the rest of the living area. Here, the shelves are mounted on steel brackets to support dishes. The unit also makes your kitchenware accessible from either side.
3. Blend them in with the windows
Put open shelves across the windows if you are tight on space. Displayed in this image are sleek wooden shelves, positioned cleverly to give added storage without restricting light or obstructing the view. A good spot for your container or herb garden, too.
Put open shelves across the windows if you are tight on space. Displayed in this image are sleek wooden shelves, positioned cleverly to give added storage without restricting light or obstructing the view. A good spot for your container or herb garden, too.
9. Stack up in style
Since everything is on view in open shelves, a little coordination goes a long way. Stack colourful ceramic and glass dishes (or even steel) to let the colours pop and to save space. In this image, the classic wooden shelves are adorned with colourful dinnerware of different textures, shapes and hues – all neatly stacked together.
Tip: Don’t cram the shelves to the brink. Leave some space between items; this will lessen the chances of breakage.
Since everything is on view in open shelves, a little coordination goes a long way. Stack colourful ceramic and glass dishes (or even steel) to let the colours pop and to save space. In this image, the classic wooden shelves are adorned with colourful dinnerware of different textures, shapes and hues – all neatly stacked together.
Tip: Don’t cram the shelves to the brink. Leave some space between items; this will lessen the chances of breakage.
5. Set up a white-on-white shelf-scape
White open shelves can brighten up smaller and darker kitchens and make the room look roomier and larger. In the displayed image, the mosaic backsplash breaks the monotony with geometric patterns and adds a subtle sheen.
Tip: Go for white concrete or stone slabs that are sturdy and easy clean, too.
White open shelves can brighten up smaller and darker kitchens and make the room look roomier and larger. In the displayed image, the mosaic backsplash breaks the monotony with geometric patterns and adds a subtle sheen.
Tip: Go for white concrete or stone slabs that are sturdy and easy clean, too.
9. Face them the other way
Grease and dirt accumulate easily in shelves placed directly above or close to the stove – especially due to the fumes from the rich tadkas. In this space, designer Swapnil Bapat cleverly installs open shelves at the other end of the kitchen. They are painted a deep brown to offset the light cabinetry.
Grease and dirt accumulate easily in shelves placed directly above or close to the stove – especially due to the fumes from the rich tadkas. In this space, designer Swapnil Bapat cleverly installs open shelves at the other end of the kitchen. They are painted a deep brown to offset the light cabinetry.
10. Hang them
Dish-drying racks take up a lot of counter area. Clear counter space by going for a floating open shelf instead. This one is made from copper piping and wooden boards.
You can place this right above the sink and hang your cups and stack the dishes to let them dry naturally.
Read more:
How to Make Open Kitchens Work in Indian Homes
Innovative Storage Solutions for Everyday Items
Tell us: How do you style your open shelves? Write in Comments below.
Dish-drying racks take up a lot of counter area. Clear counter space by going for a floating open shelf instead. This one is made from copper piping and wooden boards.
You can place this right above the sink and hang your cups and stack the dishes to let them dry naturally.
Read more:
How to Make Open Kitchens Work in Indian Homes
Innovative Storage Solutions for Everyday Items
Tell us: How do you style your open shelves? Write in Comments below.
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These open shelves provide great visual appeal, and are very practical too.
Any ideas on how to keep them free from dust, grime, and grease?