Hello and welcome to the Décor Outline photo gallery of open shelving ideas for kitchens. Below you will find a summary of the benefits, main options, and some design ideas we handpicked for you along with beautiful photos. Enjoy!
What are the benefits of having open shelves for kitchens?
- Beautiful & functional – provides an opportunity to display and conveniently access your treasured dinnerware collection
- Space saving – provides additional storage without taking up floor space
- Budget-friendly – many affordable beautiful shelving options to choose from
What are the main options for open shelves?
- Material: wood (natural, reclaimed, distressed, painted, varnished), metal (stainless steel, brushed, powder coated)
- Style: floating, built-in, box, counter, multi-level, corner
- Accents: carved wood, crown molding, brackets, hanging pot rack/baskets, under-shelf lighting
What follows are beautiful photos of open shelves in kitchens, along with design ideas we thought may be of interest to you. Enjoy and happy home decorating!
1. Reclaimed Barnwood
Points of Interest ● two reclaimed barnwood open shelves on each side of window ● soapstone countertops with square running bond backsplash ● large porcelain sink with double drainboard ● two striped window valances
2. Distressed Wood
Points of Interest ● distressed wooden open shelves with mint green beadboard rear wall ● Carrara marble countertop with apron-front sink ● glass pedestal fruit plate ● muted off-white base cabinets with subtle green-grayish hues
3. Shelves & Brackets
Points of Interest ● white painted wooden open shelves with matching brackets and countertop shelves ● white marble island countertop with undermount sink ● patterned fabric Roman shades ● zinc range hood ● hexagonal mosaic tile floor
4. Pipe Bracket
Points of Interest ● reclaimed wooden open shelves with galvanized industrial pipe brackets ● white ceramic subway tile backsplash ● reclaimed wood planked wall ● light gray cabinets with oil-rubbed bronze cup pulls
5. Stainless Steel
Points of Interest ● stainless steel open shelves on stacked stone wall with tiered middle shelf ● stainless steel countertop with integrated apron-front sink ● reeded glass dinnerware ● baby blue under sink cabinet
6. Reclaimed Wood
Points of Interest ● reclaimed wooden open shelves with white painted slim wrought iron brackets ● rustic wood planked bar base ● birdcage pendant light over sink ● sisal rope-covered pipe ● black and white patterned flooring
7. Tall Counter Shelves
Points of Interest ● two 5-level black steel open shelves on marble countertop ● industrial pipe lighting over island ● four metal bar stools ● white porcelain tiled wall in square running bond pattern ● black and white marble diamond flooring
8. Crown Molding
Points of Interest ● box shelves with crown molding ● L-shaped stainless steel countertop ● spring pull-down kitchen faucet ● exposed brick stove backsplash ● criss cross muntin windows ● cookie sheet storage in white base cabinetry
9. Brushed Steel
Points of Interest ● brushed steel open shelves with wood mats ● marble topped island with charcoal gray wrought iron shelf and towel bar ● 2-tiered fruit and vegetable wicker holder ● large double-hung windows ● black powder coated steel bar stools
10. Double Wood Plank
Points of Interest ● 3-tiered double wood plank open shelving ● reclaimed wooden cabinets and walls ● diamond glass faced slim upper cabinet ● travertine arabesque tiled stove backsplash ● bare weathered farmhouse table
11. Floating Shelves
Points of Interest ● stainless steel floating open shelves ● white open shelves on bar with beverage cooler ● arched stove alcove and niches ● soapstone countertop with matching curved backsplash ● diagonal mosaic tiled floor inlay
12. Shelves + Pot Rack
Points of Interest ● wooden open shelves with hanging pot racks ● wood planked waterfall island ● black powder coated pendant lights ● coffered ceiling with skylight ● charcoal gray painted weathered plank floors
13. Under Shelf Lighting
Points of Interest ● stainless steel open shelves with hanging cookware and lighting underneath ● stainless steel countertop with sidesplash ● brick wall with cast iron flat fireback stove backsplash ● two wire counter chairs
14. Support Brackets
Points of Interest ● wall-mounted white open shelves with support brackets ● rolling stainless steel kitchen cart with two open shelves ● white subway tile backsplash with soldier course and black tile inlay ● single-hung steel-framed windows ● jute area rug
15. Flanked Shelves
Points of Interest ● long open shelves flanked by floor-to-ceiling cabinets ● antiqued light turquoise island base cabinets ● red ladder back counter chairs ● antique cash register on white granite island countertop ● textual art on wall
16. White Cabinetry
Points of Interest ● white open shelves attached to wall and cabinets ● dark wood topped island complemented by curved seat bar stools ● glass faced transom cabinets with glass shelves ● wine cubbies ● stainless steel stove backsplash
17. Black Metal Brackets
Points of Interest ● wooden shelves with black metal brackets ● wooden island base with matching swivel bar stool ● L-shaped gray granite countertop with sidesplash ● wicker basket on island open shelf
18. Varnished Wood
Points of Interest ● varnished wooden open shelves matching the L-shaped countertop ● white subway tile backsplash ● serving tray matching the spruce blue cabinetry ● vintage brass keys hanging from open shelf
19. L-Shaped Shelves
Points of Interest ● L-shaped open shelf with colored glassware ● multi-toned porcelain tile backsplash ● marble countertop with porcelain farmhouse sink ● white base cabinets with satin nickel cup pulls ● jute area rug
20. By the Windows
Points of Interest ● white floating shelves beside and above windows ● black quartz countertop with off-white farmhouse sink ● assorted cutting boards against tall off-white cabinet on counter ● antique writing desk with drawers
21. Corner Shelf
Points of Interest ● L-shaped corner shelf with wrought iron brackets ● three-bulb pendant light over black farmhouse sink ● glazed off-white cabinets ● beamed beadboard ceiling ● blue and white porcelain dinnerware
22. Shelf Above Shelves
Points of Interest ● long open shelf above window with built-in shorter shelves ● black wire vegetable basket with wooden handles ● butcher block topped island with brown base cabinets ● glass pedestal cake plate with lid
23. Multi-Length Shelves
Points of Interest ● white open shelves in varying length ● white-painted metal brackets supporting shelves ● soapstone countertop with integrated farmhouse sink ● matching baby blue beadboard wall and range hood
24. Natural Maple
Points of Interest ● natural maple floating open shelves ● two-tiered island with soapstone and natural maple countertops ● stainless steel cookware and white ceramic dinnerware on open shelves ● sloped skylights ● glass doors to garden
25. Hanging Baskets
Points of Interest ● rod-style stainless steel open shelves with two hanging wire baskets ● contrasting white marble countertop and black porcelain tile backsplash ● galvanized planter with saucer ● miniature floral lampshade
26. Box Shelves
Points of Interest ● two DIY doorless cabinets as open shelves ● beige granite countertop with sidesplash and flat panel white base cabinets ● white Venetian blinds on windows ● vintage enamel bread box ● dark hardwood floors
27. Carved Wood Accents
Points of Interest ● open shelving with carved wood accents matching the island base ● 3 tin planters on single open shelf with brackets ● two 5×5 glass paneled window walls ● stacked crates with bottles ● zinc range hood over wooden island