If you are looking for a kitchen renovation that will give your kitchen a modern yet homey look, it is time to forget about the wall-mounted upper cabinets.
Once they have been the only storage solution but today they are replaced by open shelves. Open shelves are trendy not only because they look good in all sizes of kitchens.
Open shelves have become a trend because they sort out the clutter, they make the atmosphere homey and they can work with any interior style.
Ahead are 25 best open kitchen shelf ideas and designs all working to make your kitchen more beautiful and functional.
1. Add Modern Open Shelves to an Old Kitchen
This incredible and easy idea upgrades drastically the kitchen look. If there is an empty space between the upper cabinets, use it to fill with an open shelf unit.
Three wooden beams cut to size create an additional storage space with a charming farmhouse touch. Combine with small kitchen accessories in the same style.
2. Chic Dark Wood and Iron Corner Shelves
The upper part of this corner space has been empty and for a kitchen that is a total loss. This space can be a helpful part of the neat storage and also an appealing part of the décor.
The L-shaped wooden shelves are made to perfectly fit the size of the corner. Metal supports give the rustic wood a rough industrial touch that coheres with the ceiling ornaments. Storage can be directly on the shelves or in baskets.
3. Cool Copper Piping Built-in Shelving Unit
This is another great open shelving idea combining farmhouse and industrial. It matches perfectly the kitchen interior of a contemporary home.
The design combining wooden shelves and piping features a practical and maximized storage area on a few levels.
It is also amazing how functionality is mixed with décor impact displaying ingredients with vintage containers for storage.
via DIY Showoff
4. Cute Coca-Cola Mini Shelf
This shelf idea has more a decorative than practical function but we cannot blame the author because it is unique and truly makes the kitchen more welcoming. The repurposed Coca-Cola crate is hung on the wall to accommodate mini succulents planted in vintage containers.
The black and white pattern of the ceramic pots plays pleasantly with the weathered red paint of the wood. This shelf can also be the place for seasonal décor which will turn the kitchen into a festive place.
5. Cute Shelves with a Classic Touch
The open shelves can look as a continuous part of the existing kitchen cabinetry. To achieve this elegant and united look, choose material and color that blends with the existing storage furniture.
The example here shows what a wonderful addition the open shelves can be. One long wooden beam in glossy white is supported by wrought iron corbels that set a modern rustic backdrop for a vintage tableware set.
Added green plant gives the display a natural touch and a contrast that attracts the attention
6. Decorative End Shelves
These end shelves can be added to any upper cabinets. They are compact, cute with their curved shape and practical for giving the kitchen a nice decorative look.
The shelf unit can be screwed directly to the wall and the cupboard side so you can easily extend the cupboards yourself.
These small displays are perfect to add a pop of color or to enhance the decorative impact of a style already imposed.
7. Distressed Farmhouse Style Shelf
This shelf is of a small size but its impact over the kitchen interior- sensitive!
The combination of a repurposed tray and a reclaimed piece of wood assembled together with vintage metal corbels creates a charming focal point.
The bare wall needs just a piece like that to make the kitchen homier. Use this farmhouse shelf for a dedicated space to display a special vintage set of tea cups or other antique pieces.
8. Fit Anywhere Short and Study Shelves
The lovely contrast set by the blonde wooden shelves attached to the deep grey wall is eye-pleasing.
The shelves cover a bare part of the kitchen wall right above the countertop to declutter it and make a charming farmhouse industrial statement.
9. Install DIY Open Shelving in Kitchen
If you don’t want the storage furniture to overwhelm your kitchen space, use one and the same color for the walls and the wall cupboards.
The lighter it is, the airier the room will feel. The additional shelf unit screwed to an empty part of the wall makes sure that the spacious look is not affected.
Added brown accents are symmetrically spread on the shelves to create a point of interest.
via A Box of Twine
10. Kitchen With Open Shelving Makeover
Open shelving in the place of upper cabinets is a good kitchen design idea when a more open and airy look is searched.
Tiers of shelves tracing the walls offer quick allocating and easy access. If you consider this storage idea, you must be prepared for regular dust cleaning sine there are no doors keeping the dishes protected.
via Hometalk
11. Make Your Own DIY Kitchen Open Shelving
Open shelves are perfect for small kitchens. Imagine how this kitchen would look like if there were upper cabinets instead of shelves? They would have been quite overwhelming, wouldn’t they?
The subway tiles also presuppose a storage solution with a retro look. These sets of two shelves are functional and sturdy.
Fixing on the wall happens with long strips which also add an industrial vibe and cohere with the faucet design.
12. Minimalistic Shelves Blend Right In
Open kitchen shelves are the best storage design for kitchen statement walls. They let the interesting texture stand out and also work as an emphasis on this interior detail.
The look of this floating shelves matches the rustic texture of the statement wall keeping the look nature-inspired.
via Jenna Sue Design
13. Multi-Depth Staggered Shelving
This is an interesting kitchen storage idea featuring a combination of a closed cabinet and open shelf unit acting as a set.
It allows you to store some of the dishes protected from dust and others that are more special- visible to create a point of interest.
This idea is another solution for small kitchens because it works well with the space and does not affect the airy feel.
via Lobster and Swan
14. Open Farmhouse Kitchen Shelving Project
Changing the cabinets with open shelves makes such a transformation of the overall kitchen look!
Yes, keeping some of the kitchenware hidden behind doors is safe but it can be also very dull. Imagine displaying all your special dish and bowl sets on open farmhouse shelves?
They could be part of the kitchen décor, not only practical kitchenware.
15. Rustic and Elegant Natural Wooden Shelves
If you are an artistic person and storage is more than a place to organize things neatly, you would love this nature-inspired open shelf idea.
The shelves here keep the natural curves of the woodcuts. The edges are smoothly sanded and the wood is stained with a clear varnish to expose the beautiful texture of the timber.
This art set of shelves requires special decorations that will cohere with its style and will emphasize its beauty.
via DIY in PDX
16. Simple and Trusty Shelves in Bright White
The corbels or the brackets are not only beautiful but also practical when it comes to shelves storing heavier items.
If you do not trust the floating shelf design and want to back the storage unit up, add supports that will keep them in place.
The hardware is a good way to add an industrial or rustic touch to the shelves.
17. Simple Farmhouse Kitchen Open Shelves
This is another appealing corner shelf idea with triangle brackets. The brackets and the wood are painted glossy white to create a uniform look that helps for the airy feel in the kitchen.
The shelves are used to display farmhouse elements which make the atmosphere homier.
18. Simple Shelves for a Quiet Corner
Even the smallest blank wall can be decorated with open shelves. The white subway tiles create a perfect backdrop for the solid wood shelves.
The contrast the wood makes gives the space depth and interest. Being small, these shelves are best for decorations display such as plants and a few antique pieces that will give the room a character.
via Turning It Home
19. Slightly Weathered Nook and Cranny Shelving
These two shelves are cut at the perfect length to fit into a niche in the kitchen. This space would otherwise stay unused. By adding the set of shelves, you provide extra storage space for items you love to share with guests.
This idea features a slightly weathered look of the wood achieved by whitewashing.
The reading lamp below the shelf and the galvanized sconce above it match the farmhouse look of the storage unit and turn this corner into a special part of the kitchen.
via Le Cultivateur
20. Space-Saving Shelving on a Bare Wall
This transition wall is perfect for vertical storage. Here we see a combination of open shelves and basket organizers that add a cute farmhouse look and plenty of extra storage.
This type of open storage can be a good learning curve for your kids. Place vegetables and fruits in the baskets to remind them to eat healthy food more often.
via Mommy My Way
21. Sturdy and True Farmhouse Shelving
This part of the kitchen showcases the harmony between rustic and contemporary.
The combination of white cabinets with classic grey open shelves set a lovely neutral backdrop for vintage tableware and antiques.
The shelves are long to offer a rigid and spacious place for open storage.
22. Sturdy Natural Light Timber Shelves
This idea for open kitchen shelves also features long shelves but this time the timber is solid to keep items stored safe.
The wood is left in its natural look to create a modern farmhouse touch to the neutral white tiles. It matches the golden finish of the hardware of the low cabinets and the color of the marble countertop.
With these shelves, the kitchen looks neat and free from any clutter.
via Bigger Than The Three Of Us
23. Ultimate Gorgeous Pantry Shelves
Open shelves are also great for pantry storage. Usually a small space, the pantry shelves keep all items stored vertically and within reach.
Open shelves do not mean unprotected storage. Use containers such as glass jars, baskets and crates to sort items out.
via We Lived Happily Every After
24. Vintage-Inspired Rounded Sink Shelves
This open-shelf idea is an easy DIY project that will give the kitchen a place to add character to the interior.
The rounded boards do not cover the opening throughout its entire width. They are small and suitable to hold one decoration in place.
Being placed at both sides of the empty opening, it is best to create a symmetrical décor nook by matching the décor pieces at each level.
25. Wrought-Iron Decorative Mounted Shelves
This is another fabulous idea for farmhouse open shelves. Choosing solid wood and wrought iron corbels to support it gives the storage piece a unique design.
The shelves can be made at the desired size to fit the blank wall of your kitchen. The rustic display is the best place to expose special vintage tableware in combination with small plants.
