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Wondering how to style your open kitchen shelves? Let’s discuss what items to include and how to arrange them to create an aesthetically pleasing display.
Open kitchen shelving is a trend that is on the rise right now. A 2021 Pinterest study found that searches for “kitchen floating shelves decor” increased by a massive 130% in the UK last year! So what is all the hype about?
Your most used items are on display and easy to grab. No more scrambling through kitchen cupboards for that particular spice whilst cooking up a storm.
Overhead units can make a kitchen feel dark and enclosed. If you are dealing with small kitchen space, open shelving is a fantastic choice to create the illusion of more space. Also, shelving can create extra worktop space as you can use it to store appliances that would normally be taking up space.
Open shelving is a great way to show off your favourite tableware and stylish accessories, adding some personality to your kitchen.
Want more storage, but your budget doesn’t cover it? Open shelving can be cheaper than installing more cabinets. More storage, plus decoration - a win-win situation.
The first step to styling your shelves - think about what items you use daily, then give these items pride of place. You don’t want your display to become cluttered, so narrowing down the contents of your kitchen means your shelves will stay functional and pleasing to the eye.
If you have some beautiful tableware you want on display, but it doesn’t actually get used, put these on the higher shelves. Keep the lower shelves for the items you’ll reach for most often.
A mixture of shapes and sizes breaks things up and creates a visually pleasing display. Start the process by adding the largest items, such as chopping boards, artwork and vases. After this, go for your tableware, smaller things that actually get used. Stack plates and cups to create a variety of shape. Finally, add the smallest pieces and go for measuring spoons and espresso cups to fill in the tiny, awkward spaces.
Another great way to break up your display is by adding colours and textures. Often, the items we use daily are all similar colours. Add wooden chopping boards to bring in rustic elements, mix in some plants to add a natural, green touch to your open shelving.
Try to stick to a limited colour palette, maybe three or four colours/textures. This ensures your display has a cohesive look and doesn’t become too busy.
It’s known in the world of stylists that our eyes tend to be drawn to groups of odd numbers. Please don’t get too worked up over this one, as we still want open shelving to be practical. If you can, have three items clustered together, or when stacking plates, try stick to 5 if you can. Sticking to this rule means your shelving will stay as minimal as possible whilst still being decorative.
To keep things interesting, change up your styling every few months. This way, you can show off all your gorgeous, curated kitchenware without your shelves becoming too cluttered! Open kitchen shelving is an amazing way to add a personal touch to your house, so make the most of it and make it yours!
Hopefully, you’re now well on your way to imagining how you will style your open shelving. Finally, you can put that collection of pretty bowls to good use! If you have any questions about how to get your dream kitchen, contact us at German Kitchen Specialists, we’re more than happy to help. We offer a fantastic range of high-quality, stylish kitchens at excellent prices.
