Kitchen decor ideas are one of the fastest-growing Home décor searches this year on Pinterest, up several times over last year. And most of what comes up means more things on your counters. More canisters, more signs, more little trays.
Put it on one shelf instead.
A single open shelf, styled well, gives your kitchen personality without eating a single inch of counter. The formula is simple, and once you know it, you can restyle it in five minutes every season.
The one-shelf formula
Here's what goes on a single 36- to 48-inch open shelf:
- Three short stacks of plates or bowls, evenly spaced. Five or six pieces per stack.
- One tall piece, a jug, a vase or a bottle, placed off-center.
- One small plant, trailing or upright, in a clay pot.
- One cookbook, standing face out, leaning against the wall.
That's it. Four types of object, about eight pieces in total. It looks full but not crowded.
Stick to one color family
Open shelves look calm when everything on them shares a palette. Cream, oatmeal and white stoneware is the easiest. Or all terracotta and wood. Or all blue and white. Mixing colors on a single shelf makes it look like storage rather than decoration.
Height matters
The tall piece should reach about two-thirds of the way to the next shelf or the ceiling. It breaks the horizontal line of the stacks. Put it about a third of the way in from one end, not at the edge and not dead center.
Plants that suit a kitchen shelf
- Pothos: trails nicely, tolerates low light.
- Herbs: rosemary or thyme, if the shelf gets sun.
- String of pearls: delicate and trailing.
- Small olive tree: for a bright shelf near a window.
Put a saucer under the pot so you can water without dripping on plates.
The cookbook
One cookbook, face out, adds color and personality. Choose the one with the nicest cover, or the one you actually use most. Lean it against the wall at one end.
What to keep off the shelf
- Everyday glasses and mugs you use constantly, unless you love washing dust off them. Keep them in a cabinet near the dishwasher.
- Plastic containers.
- Anything decorative with words on it. Signs saying "Kitchen" or "Eat" aren't needed; you know which room you're in.
- Spices, which fade in light.
Mounting a shelf that looks solid
A thick shelf, at least 1 1/2 inches, looks substantial. Hidden floating brackets give the cleanest look; they need to be screwed into studs, and each can usually hold 50 to 100 pounds. Mount the shelf 18 to 20 inches above the counter so it clears the backsplash and a coffee machine.
Restyling with the seasons
The formula stays the same; only the objects change:
- Fall: swap the plant for a small branch of dried leaves, add a brown speckled mug.
- Winter: a small evergreen cutting in the jug, a red dish.
- Spring: fresh herbs, a green glazed bowl.
- Summer: lemons in a bowl instead of a stack.
Dust and practicality
Open shelves do collect dust. The trick is to use what's on them. If the plates come down for dinner a couple of times a week, they never get dusty. Decorative pieces you never touch need a quick wipe every couple of weeks.
Mistakes to avoid
- Filling every inch. Leave space between groups.
- Too many colors. Stick to one palette.
- Tiny objects. Lots of small things look cluttered. Fewer, bigger pieces look styled.
- Shelves too high. If you can't reach it, you won't use it, and it'll look like a museum shelf.
Open kitchen shelves FAQ
How do you decorate open kitchen shelves?
Use three stacks of dishes, one tall piece, one plant and one book per shelf, all in one color family.
What should I put on open shelves in the kitchen?
Dishes you use regularly, a jug or vase, a plant and a cookbook. Keep glasses and spices in cabinets.
How high should open shelves be above the counter?
About 18 to 20 inches above the counter.
Are open shelves in style?
Yes, especially one or two thick wood shelves in place of some upper cabinets.
