Open Shelving in Kitchens: A Practical Guide

Open shelving in kitchens has become one of the most talked-about choices in home design, and for good reason. Swap a row of heavy wall cupboards for a few floating shelves and a kitchen instantly feels lighter, more personal and more lived in. But open shelves also attract questions: will they get dusty, will they look messy, and will they actually hold everything?

We have lived with open kitchen shelves and loved them, so here is our practical guide. It covers what to think about before you start, how to choose materials and brackets, and how to style shelves that look good every day, not just in photographs.

Is open shelving in kitchens right for you?

Before you take down a single cupboard, it is worth being honest about how you use your kitchen.

• Pros: a more open, airy feel; everyday items within easy reach; a chance to display things you love; often a lower cost than fitted units.
• Cons: items near the hob collect grease and dust; less hidden storage; shelves need regular tidying to look their best.

The happy middle ground for many homes is a mix. Keep closed cupboards for food, cleaning products and the less lovely things, and use open shelves for the items you use daily and like to look at.

Planning your open kitchen shelves

Good open shelving is mostly about planning. A few key decisions will make all the difference.

Position

Avoid placing shelves directly above the hob, where steam and grease will settle on everything. A wall beside a window, above a run of worktop or around a sink is usually a better choice. Think about the walk between dishwasher and shelf too: the shorter it is, the more likely you are to put things away.

Height and spacing

The lowest shelf needs to leave enough clearance above the worktop to work comfortably and fit things like a kettle or a toaster underneath. Space the shelves according to what they will hold. Plates and bowls need less height than jars or a stack of cookbooks, so measure your tallest items before you decide.

Depth

Shallower shelves are often more useful than deep ones. They keep everything visible, stop things getting lost at the back and look neater on the wall. Deeper shelves work best for larger platters and serving dishes.

Materials and fixings

The material you choose sets the tone of the whole kitchen.

• Solid wood: warm and forgiving, and lovely with plants and ceramics. Seal it well to protect against moisture.
• Painted shelves: painting them the same colour as the wall gives a calm, built-in look.
• Metal: stainless steel or powder-coated shelves suit an industrial or professional-style kitchen.
• Stone or marble: beautiful and durable, but heavy, so they need serious support.

Fixings matter just as much as finishes. Floating shelves with concealed brackets look clean, but they need to be fixed securely into solid walls or studs, as crockery is heavier than you might expect. Visible brackets in brass, iron or wood can become a design feature and are often easier to fit. If you are unsure about your walls, it is always worth getting a professional to install them.

Open shelves are a promise to your future self: keep only what you use and love, and the kitchen will look after itself.

Kitchen shelving ideas: how to style open shelves

Styling open shelving in kitchens is about balance between everyday use and display. These are the kitchen shelving ideas we come back to again and again:

1. Edit first. Choose a simple, cohesive set of everyday crockery. White or a limited colour palette always looks calm.
2. Stack and group. Stack plates and bowls neatly, and group glasses in rows. Order looks deliberate.
3. Add something living. A trailing plant or a pot of herbs softens the hard lines of a kitchen.
4. Use jars. Decant dry goods like pasta, rice and oats into matching glass jars for a practical and pretty display.
5. Mix in a few objects. A small print, a wooden board or a favourite jug brings personality.
6. Leave breathing space. Resist filling every inch. A little empty space makes the shelf feel intentional.

Keeping open shelves looking good

The most common worry about open kitchen shelves is dust. In practice, the things you use every day are washed so often that dust is rarely a problem. The pieces that sit untouched are the ones that need attention, which is a good reason to only keep what you use. A quick wipe of the shelves when you clean the worktops keeps everything fresh.

If you love the idea of flexible storage beyond the kitchen, have a look at our guide to Cubit shelving, a modular system that can be reconfigured as your needs change. And for a mood that suits open shelves perfectly, our post on Swedish charms is full of pale, light-filled inspiration.

Questions readers ask

Is open shelving in kitchens practical?

Yes, if you plan it well. Keep shelves away from the hob, store everyday items on them and use closed cupboards for less attractive things.

How do you stop open kitchen shelves getting dusty?

Display items you use daily, as they are washed often. Wipe shelves when you clean the worktops and avoid placing them above the hob.

What are good kitchen shelving ideas for small kitchens?

Use shallow floating shelves, paint them the wall colour for a seamless look, and keep the display edited with matching jars and crockery.

How much weight can floating kitchen shelves hold?

It depends on the brackets and wall. Fix floating shelves into solid walls or studs, and ask a professional if you are unsure about the wall.