Advantages and disadvantages of open shelves in the kitchen: is it practical (+ reviews and photos)

Open shelves are increasingly found in design projects. This solution has many advantages, for example, expanding space, saving space - but there are also disadvantages. It’s easy to get lost in the variety of options, but they also have different functional features - we’ll look at them today. The first place to start when choosing open shelves for the kitchen is to weigh all the pros and cons of such a finish.

Advantages

Most often, open shelves are chosen only because it is fashionable now. This design has not yet become boring to the eye, so it instantly adds uniqueness to the room. But appearance and trend are far from the only advantages of such a solution.

Convenience and visibility

In a kitchen with open shelves, even a guest can find what he needs. All utensils, spices, and dishes are right in front of your eyes, so not a minute will be wasted looking for the right item.
The top shelves of the sets are rarely used because they are quite difficult to reach. With ordinary open shelves this problem will not arise, since the housewife herself chooses the installation height.
Another nuance that relates to convenience is easy and quick installation and dismantling. Even a beginner can handle this with his own hands without any problems.

Space saving

Shelves are often chosen to be not so deep compared to wall cabinets, so space will be saved, which is especially important in a small kitchen, for example, in a Khrushchev-era apartment.
Such shelves do not restrict movement and action, because there is no door, a place for opening which must also be provided.
Due to this saving of space, time is also saved: there is less waiting for the headset from the factory and it is assembled faster. This means that the repair will be completed faster, which is also an important factor.
And here there is another option that may be important to some: time is not wasted opening and closing the door. In addition to saving time, this can also be quite convenient when your hands are busy.

Visual expansion of space

Shelves do not clutter up the design, such as wall cabinets, which in turn makes the space more spacious.
Many people encounter this feeling when they renovate: a room without furniture seems very spacious, but with it there may not be enough space. In addition, shelves, compared to wall-mounted sets, block light much less and fill the room with it, making it visually more spacious. A little life hack! If the shelves are made of glass or glossy materials, they will become almost invisible and weightless - just what you need for a small kitchen.

Space for imagination

Not only can the appearance and shape of the shelves be absolutely anything: from homemade to the most extravagant designer ones, but you can also come up with a unique decor for them. The filling of the shelves also depends only on the housewife: it can be standard cereals in jars or exotic figurines and a samovar.

Saving! The advantage is that the decor can be changed periodically and, thus, “updating” the kitchen design with small means.

Versatility

Versatility in relation to open shelves can be considered in two aspects:

anything can be stored on them;
they will suit any interior.

Yes, open shelves and their contents will differ in different design styles, but such a solution will be appropriate in almost any interior. The main thing is to beat him correctly.

Price

Open shelves can completely replace a wall-mounted set, which will have a positive effect on the final cost of the kitchen. Repair is a very expensive pleasure, on which you always want to save money.

Types of kitchen shelves

Comfortable, beautiful kitchen shelves for a medium or small kitchen can be very different. These are closed and open, wall-mounted and floor-mounted, hidden and built-in, table-top and in the form of racks. They are part of a set or a separate element of the interior.

They are able to give the atmosphere a special coziness and create an interesting and relevant design.

Closed

Closed structures are distinguished by the fact that they have a back, top, and side walls. The front part is decorated with hinged or sliding doors - wooden, glass, MDF, plastic, painted plywood. Usually the item has the form of a closed horizontal cabinet, inside of which there are at least two shelves.

Such models are distinguished by the presence of rear and side walls, complemented by sliding, lifting or hinged doors.

Tip: inside closed shelves it is permissible to install lighting that turns on when the door is opened to easily find the items you need.

Wall mounted (above the dining table)

Such products are mounted on the wall - above the table in the dining area. Most often they serve as decoration, fit into walls, niches, and are made of different depths and lengths. The shelves are equipped with hidden fasteners and fit perfectly into most modern, fashionable interiors. Curved steel structures designed for storing glasses are fixed to the ceiling - above the bar counter, kitchen table.

Hanging shelves can have a wide variety of purposes, which affects the depth, height and location of the structure.

Hidden

Hidden shelves are disguised as the surrounding interior, mounted in a niche, a “Khrushchev refrigerator” located under the window, in the lower or upper part of the set. This option is optimal for a modern, minimalist interior.

They are distinguished by a façade that blends with the surrounding decoration, furniture, or, for example, a kitchen apron.

Floor-standing

Floor structures are durable, stable, suitable for placing heavy household appliances (multi-cooker, electric meat grinder, microwave oven), utensils made of cast iron and steel. Their design allows the weight of the contents to be distributed over four legs, sometimes with additional fastening to the wall. Some options are equipped with wheels for maximum mobility. The product is made of wood and metal.

Floor shelves with legs are great for placing a microwave, multicooker and other household appliances.

Open

Such structures are made suspended and do not have front or side walls. Such shelves expand the room, but require constant care - wiping dust, washing all objects located on them. If there is a powerful hood in the kitchen, cleaning will be slightly easier. Open shelves, decorated in light colors, will fit perfectly into Provence and country interiors.

They contribute to the visual expansion of the room and make it much freer.

Tabletop

Tabletop options are attached directly to the tabletop or bar counter. They are placed close to the wall, in the corner, and are made stationary or removable. Cups, sugar bowls, salt shakers, decorative vases with flowers or sweets, framed photos, and souvenirs are placed here.

They are located against the wall on the countertop and provide a convenient place for mugs, jars of spices or cereals, a bread bin, a sugar bowl, or even a vase of flowers.

Built-in

Shelves built into the outer modules of a kitchen cabinet, island set or niche diversify the interior. They create additional storage spaces, expanding the functionality of the furniture, which is especially important in cramped kitchens.

Such shelves, built into a niche, the end module of a kitchen unit or an island, provide intelligent use of the available space.

Hanging

Such shelves are attached to the wall, ceiling, and side surfaces of furniture using cables, belts, cords, and chains. This is the best option for any non-standard interiors. If necessary, the product can be easily dismantled and moved to another location. The only negative is the instability of the structure, due to fastening at only two points.

Products equipped with hidden fastenings have a particularly beautiful and trendy appearance.

Shelving

A rack is a kind of organizer that has many shelves of different sizes inside. Various things are placed here - from small decor to relatively large household appliances. A shiny metal shelving unit is suitable for high-tech, brutalism, and futurism interiors.

These organizers with a certain number of shelves, which are combined into one box, easily complement any kitchen design.

Flaws

This solution also has disadvantages. And the main one probably comes to mind on its own. Let's start with it.

Dust

Yes, dust likes to settle everywhere. And if it settles on top of wall cabinets - where you can pretend that it doesn’t exist at all - then this is unacceptable with shelves. Dust will be especially noticeable on glass shelves, which look so good in small kitchens.

There is another problem - carbon deposits. Most often, this only applies to gas stoves, but can occur during active cooking and with alternative appliances. A partial solution to this problem is a powerful hood, but you cannot be sure that such a measure will keep all things stored on open shelves clean.

Less functionality

Yes, beautiful transparent jars filled with spices or tea look very nice, but this violates the storage conditions of the products - such things should be stored in a dark and cool place. This means that you will have to look for a new place. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with our material on storing spices.

The same applies to large items - for example, household appliances like a coffee maker, which are often stored in wall cabinets.
Placing them on a shelf is not the best idea, since the mount may not hold up, and it will not always be aesthetically pleasing. A simple solution! You don’t have to completely abandon the wall-mounted set, but combine it with open shelves. Originality will not be lost because of this, and functionality will remain.

Danger

Yes, a wall-mounted set can also fall from overload, but this happens much less often than with shelves. In addition, something from a shelf can tip over and break, glass can get into the borscht on the stove - and this is not always easy to notice.

Littering

If at first they try to monitor the filling of the shelves and put them in order more often, then later more and more items appear there, not always beautiful and chosen in style. Extra items create a cluttered effect. It is worth noting that it is quite easy to get rid of it - just “declutter” the shelf, that is, throw away everything unnecessary.

Extra purchases

If cereals are stored in a closed, hanging unit, then they can be in branded packaging or a well-worn container - in this case, no one cares about the appearance. If the cereal is now stored on open shelves, then you need to choose a beautiful container. This will result in significant time and financial costs.

Reviews

It is worth considering real reviews from those who have already decided to take a similar step and have formed a complete opinion about open shelves in the kitchen.

Irina, 28 years old: “I have a distance between the refrigerator and the wall, and my husband built a shelf on wheels, which often appears on the Internet. Yes, it’s convenient, you can put a lot of things there. But how much dust collects there! The items are small and you have to constantly rinse them. If the kitchen were more spacious, I would buy a closed cabinet and put everything there - dust wouldn’t get in there.”

Katerina, 35 years old: “I decided to make a white glossy kitchen without upper cabinets, but with shelves instead. Dust collects instantly and is clearly visible, although light colors are famous for the fact that dust is not so noticeable. In general, my immediate plans are to order wall cabinets, where some of the shelves are closed and some are open: it’s beautiful, but most things are still hidden. And I didn’t think about my things - there’s nowhere to store cereals, spices, and I don’t want to put them in sunlight.”

Lera, 20 years old: “I don’t even understand what’s beautiful about open shelves. Maybe it looks good in the photo, but I don’t believe that this order will remain two hours after the photo. It’s like on Instagram - everyone there is beautiful. There’s no time in life to think about the aesthetics of arranging cups with a blue border.”

You can also read Dasha’s opinion from the video.

Open shelves in the kitchen: yes or no?! 6+

Nastya, 26 years old: “I have a small apartment in Khrushchev with a tiny kitchen. In life, I am a minimalist and make do with a minimum number of things. Yes, yes, even in the kitchen. That is why I abandoned the wall unit and hung only a dish drainer above the sink, and above it a shelf with green flowers. I am very pleased with the feeling of lightness and space in the microscopic kitchen. But it’s not for everyone, yes.”

Evgeniya, 40 years old: “I really love lightness and space in the kitchen. If I lived alone, I would generally leave the walls bare. But since my husband lives with me, and he also likes to cook (this is a plus, yes), I hung a couple of combined fronts - there I have both closed cabinets and open shelves, which lighten the interior at least a little. On the shelves I store cups, coffee, a coffee maker and other things that are used often - the dust simply does not have time to build up.”

What can you supply?

Open shelves are still so unusual that sometimes the question arises: “What can I put there?” The answer is simple: whatever you want. The main thing is to choose the right shelf. Filling options may include:

tableware is everyday, festive or simply beautiful;
spices;
bulk products such as cereals, flour or pasta;
sugar bowl, bowl of honey;
figurines;
kitchen scales;
watch;
a container/basket with towels, a tablecloth or a large number of small items;

appliances, such as a microwave oven or meat grinder;
fresh or artificial flowers;
trays;
vases;
candlesticks;
cake maker;
coffee maker;
functional or decorative teapot;
detergents;
bottles.

This list can last for a long time, and will be limited only by the owner’s imagination.

Material selection

The point that you should quickly decide on in order to facilitate the search for the ideal shelf is the material from which it will be made. Wood is considered a classic option, since the set is made from it. This solution looks great in Provence style.

Now you can approach the choice of material with all your imagination, since designers are so original that they make shelves from:

artificial stone,
plastic,
glass
and even metal.

Wood is universal, which is why it is most often chosen. Wooden shelves are durable and practical, they are easy to make with your own hands and secure.

Glass

Glass models are just as practical, but they look very unusual and light. Glass allows light to pass through and is easy to keep clean. The main thing is to use only hardened material. The downside is that it is quite difficult to make such a shelf with your own hands, and for installation you need special fasteners with:

rubber gasket;
clamping screws.

This will secure the glass as securely as possible and prevent accidental falls.

Plastic

Plastic is a cheap material that does not require special care, but it should not be placed near a stove, especially a gas stove. Plastic shelves themselves are not the strongest, so this material is rarely used in the kitchen, although it is easy to work with even with your own hands. On them you can place:

small vases and figurines;
Photo frame;
light dishes;
seasonings in jars.

Often there are fantasy-shaped shelves, which will help emphasize the originality of the interior.

Metal

Originality is the main feature of metal shelves. It is better to choose items made of stainless steel or other metals that do not corrode - otherwise they will not survive the microclimate of the kitchen. It is difficult to work with metal at home, so you should pay attention to ready-made options. They can be of different shades: for example, chrome-plated or gold-plated.

This material has many advantages:

reliability - even with a small thickness they can withstand significant loads (with proper fastening);
durability;
beauty;
easy to clean.

The most popular option for a metal shelf is a mesh basket for storing and drying freshly washed dishes.

Stone

Real stone weighs a lot and requires special care, so it is rarely used. But the artificial one is much lighter and more flexible, so it can be attached almost anywhere. Most often such shelves are located:

above the fireplace - real or fake;
above a tabletop made of the same material;
in the side columns.

Artificial stone is environmentally friendly, durable and looks elegant in almost any design.

Other modern materials

Sometimes there are shelves that seem to have been cut out of the wall, as in the photo above. In fact, you don’t need to saw anything - this design is very easily made from plasterboard mounted on metal profiles. The main thing is to finish this work with putty to hide the seams. Then you can show your imagination and decorate it in any way, but most often they paint it to match the walls.

There are options for shelves made of chipboard or MDF. Their peculiarity is the presence of a hidden fastening, which creates the feeling that the shelf is simply floating. But there is also a minus - such a mount is not strong enough, so it is better not to place heavy objects on such a covering.

The main thing when choosing a shelf is to find a texture that will harmonize with the overall interior of the kitchen. For example, glossy steel shelves are suitable only for modern styles such as fusion, minimalism, hi-tech.

Wall shelves for the kitchen

The popularity of closed kitchen fronts and cabinets is gradually declining. The trend is a more recent format – shelves. This is really fashionable; they successfully dilute the monolithic façade of the interior. In addition, wall-mounted kitchen shelves are very convenient for storing dishes and seasonings that should always be at hand. While cooking, the housewife does not need to look for a specific item every time she opens the cabinets. Thanks to simple designs, everything is conveniently located at eye level.

Hanging kitchen shelves for dishes are also a fashionable accessory that easily fits into any interior style. For example, Provence loves cute wooden surfaces decorated with lace napkins, loft loves brutal shelves in the frame of which pipes are used, and minimalism loves clear lines.

Thanks to the shelves, the interior can be easily updated: just change the composition of objects, place dishes of different colors or add interesting objects or figures. Even a beautiful decorative mug will add an interesting accent. Then the mood of the kitchen will sparkle with new colors.

Important! Shelves are especially convenient in small or narrow kitchens, where hanging cabinets is impractical - they will take up too much space.

Classic options are rectangular, diamond-shaped and triangular. The simple form allows for various designs:

Consoles are products with a minimalistic design. They are often made of metal and have a removable design. This is convenient if you want to change the geometry of the rack.
Multi-tiered ones are especially practical, as they allow you to place many items in one conventional square meter of room.
With side walls (one or two). They are made in the shape of a niche and are convenient for storing cookbooks that do not fall thanks to the sides.
With a back wall. This design does not greatly affect functionality, but noticeably changes the overall appearance of the wall on which it is located.
Universal options are simple and ergonomic. They have correct geometric shapes, reliable fastenings with a margin of safety, and can be used for any purpose.

Shelves above the dining table

This arrangement is very convenient and ergonomic. A free wall can be successfully complemented with an open structure for decorative items, small dishes, and jars of seasonings. The technique is indispensable especially in small kitchens, where every free centimeter is valued.

In addition, during a meal it will be easy to reach with your hand one or another seasoning, sauce, olive oil, or take a cup and saucer. In this area, models with invisible fasteners that merge with the surface of the walls and become a single whole look especially advantageous.

Shelves above the kitchen table are often found in Provence style interiors. Bottles of wine or olive oil, jars of spices, and various dishes are placed on them. All these necessary and useful details create an atmosphere of home comfort.

Economy class hanging shelves

Prices for economy class products start from 800 rubles. The cost depends primarily on the materials and complexity of the design. Thus, models made of chipboard and MDF are quite affordable. The simplest design option is open shelves without doors or a back wall.

The decor also affects the price. Choose simple, concise forms without intricate design elements, then you will be able to save money. Models in the form of intersecting squares and rectangles and classic parallel lines will be inexpensive.

Don't think that a cheap shelf will not last long. Economy models cope with their tasks just as well as products made from expensive solid wood. For example, they are perfect for dishes and pots. Items can be arranged in a slide or placed in a row. Such models are sometimes equipped with special cross beams that prevent falls.

Some economy options are designed to store glasses and bottles of drinks. In this case, the addition will be various vertical holders, rotating, hanging or side shelves, which often act as an additional accessory to the bar counter.

Mounting options

The second thing you need to decide on when choosing an open shelf for the kitchen is the mounting. The shelf can be built-in, wall-mounted or hanging. Each type has its own characteristics that need to be analyzed.

Built into the wall

In old houses, there are often niches in the kitchen where open shelves naturally suggest themselves. If you place them in the same plane as the wall, this will visually smooth out sharp corners and make the room more harmonious. In addition to the shelves, you can build in a washing machine, dryer or cabinet.

In this option, either a shelving unit is built into the niche or shelves are made of plasterboard. The second method is much more impressive and not the most expensive, and the result is amazing: the shelves look like part of the wall.

Built into a kitchen island or façade

A kitchen island is a free-standing cabinet unit that is usually located in the center of the kitchen. This is a very convenient and functional solution, which, unfortunately, can only be afforded by housewives of large kitchens.

Shelves can be built into either side of the island and store kitchen utensils or recipe books there. You must approach the issue of stored items carefully, since small children can easily reach this area.

But owners of small kitchens cannot be ignored either: in this way, shelves can be built into any façade.

Hanging

It is not always possible to build in shelves or simply hang them on the wall. In this case, the ceiling comes to the rescue - thanks to a special fastening, the shelf can be mounted to it. Such decor will instantly add style and uniqueness to the kitchen, but aesthetically and practically such a solution is not always justified: only those things that are rarely used can be stored there, since access is difficult. For example:

flowers in pots;
textile;
rarely used utensils.

Moreover, if a suspended ceiling is already installed in the kitchen, then attaching such a shelf is difficult.
Idea! A good solution would be to equip such a shelf with small sides to avoid things tipping over.
On the modern market you can find the option of combined fastening: simultaneous to both the walls and the ceiling. Such specimens cannot be called elegant, so for a small kitchen they must be selected very carefully, or better yet, abandoned altogether. But this design is reliable and will definitely withstand heavy loads.

Wall mounted

Wall-mounted open shelves are the most standard option that immediately comes to mind when it comes to a shelf. They are created in a huge number of different shapes, sizes and designs. Even among them you can find differences in fastening:

the standard option is a bracket that is located under the shelf;
a modern option is a hidden mount.

For hidden mounting, you need to purchase a special shelf with this option - most often they are made of chipboard and MDF. A hole is drilled in the wall into which a special fastener is inserted, resembling an ordinary long nail.

Later, the shelf itself, in which there are special holes for this purpose, is mounted on this nail. Such shelves look very stylish, because the fastening does not take away attention, but storing something heavy on them is not the best option: the shelf can “sag” and things can tip over.

DIY wooden kitchen shelf

To make shelves for your kitchen with your own hands, you don’t have to be a professional furniture maker. It is better for novice craftsmen to focus on making simple designs, for example, choosing an open rectangular shelf.

It is important to ensure that the wooden structure is durable, does not look bulky and matches the design of the room.

First, you need to decide on the style of the room - the design of the future structure will depend on this:

For a classic interior and Provence style, open wall hangings made from different types of wood are suitable. Artificially aged, carved, covered with bright varnish and decorated with ornaments, they will add coziness to the kitchen and make it a favorite place for the whole family.
For modern and high-tech styles, the absolute favorites are glass and metal, but even in these directions it will be possible to assemble a shelf with wooden elements. For example, the board can be painted gray and framed with chrome-plated metal tubes.
Rough shelves made of untreated wood or dense pieces of bark, coated with varnish or paint, will fit perfectly into country and rustic styles. Another option is compact shelves made from small wooden cuts for placing pots with indoor plants.

A few tips to help you avoid common mistakes when making shelves:

choose pine boards, as they are durable and easy to work with;
the color of the shelves should be identical to the shade of the countertop, kitchen apron, furniture or wall;
when figuring out what height to hang the shelves, take into account the height of the household;
small children, on the contrary, should not reach dangerous objects;
too wide and too many shelves will become an obstacle to the rational use of space - objects will interfere with each other;
if open shelves will completely replace the upper cabinets of the set, then it is better to make them along the entire length of the wall;
choose fasteners in accordance with the expected load: brackets, corners or hinges can withstand up to 30 kg; for better reliability, secure the fasteners in the holes using anchor bolts;
pay attention to the appearance of the fasteners - the element must be combined with the shelf material and wall decoration;
The optimal shape of wooden shelves is rectangular or triangular (for corner placement), round or oval shelves are appropriate only in spacious rooms.

To make a shelf, you will need the following tools and materials:

boards or wooden boxes;
perforator;
jigsaw;
screwdriver or screwdriver;
hammer;
sandpaper of varying degrees of grain;
pencil;
ruler;
brackets or assembled consoles for hanging shelves;
brush;
alkyd varnish.

Important! Before work, check the quality of the workpieces - they must be dry! Dry the material in stacks and using cinder blocks spaced evenly on the surface of the board. If a dried suitable workpiece is already available, it must be carefully sanded. During sanding, it will be easy for you to determine the moisture content of the board: quickly clogging sandpaper indicates insufficient drying.

Sequence of work:

Decide on the location of the shelf on the wall.
Draw a drawing.
Complete the markup. It is better to place the boards on the floor or other flat surface and transfer the dimensions from the drawings.
Cut the boards using a jigsaw. This will make the cuts even and neat.
Sand the surface of the ends and treat the resulting workpieces with a protective varnish or stain. If you plan to paint, prime the surface first and only then paint.
Mark the holes and fasten the walls of the shelf: from the end edge of the bottom wall you need to measure a distance of half the thickness of the board and draw a line parallel to the cut. Step back 5 cm from the edges on the right and left and mark the holes. The opposite end is also marked. Secure the side walls of the shelf with self-tapping screws.
Mark a section of the wall where the holes will be attached and securely fix the shelf.

Fastening methods:

Wall shelves with fixation to the wall. This type of fastening is important for structures with high weight loads. Durable fasteners of removable wall shelves allow them to be easily dismantled and reinstalled if necessary.
Shelves on brackets or consoles have a dual function: they increase the strength of the shelf structure and serve as a decorative element.
Shelves with hidden fastenings are most often intended for design solutions. For hidden mounting to the wall, use a wooden panel with a thickness of at least 30 mm.

If desired, decorate the shelves with carved ornaments. An excellent option in this case would be wood burning or working with supports.

The product drawings presented in the article will help you make a kitchen shelf with your own hands.

Example #1:

Example #2:

Decoration

If you want to decorate a shelf, then various decorative elements will help you get an exquisite and original product. It is better to decorate the structure before the installation process.

There are several ways to decorate:

Adhesive fabric strips. The edges of the shelves are trimmed with such elements, matching them to the color of the wood. For example, gold goes well with light wood, and silver goes well with dark wood.
Decorative patterns. They are applied manually or through stencils using acrylic paints.
Drawings on the sides of the shelf. They use paint or make a pattern in the form of a collage from scrap materials: coffee, shells, ropes.
Finishing using patination, brushing, etc.

Where to place it?

There are also situations when you want open shelves, but there are no options where to place them. It is better to avoid the space above the stove so that drops of grease do not fall on the shelf. You can also take a closer look at the combined options for facades, which effectively combine closed cabinets and open shelves. It will look great there:

coffee grinder;
cookbooks;
spice mills.

Such combined facades can be located both in place of the hinged and lower sets.

Lower cabinets with open shelves are more practical and have another undeniable advantage: they are perfect for a narrow kitchen where it may be difficult to open the door.

A selection of the following options will help spark your imagination.

In the corner

Usually the corners of kitchens are empty, so housewives do not pay attention to them when planning or renovating. But such a solution can be the most advantageous option, since a lot of new storage space is created literally out of nothing: the shelves will not be conspicuous or hide the space, but will give freedom of action, unloading the main work area.

In the rack

Shelving is an unusual solution for the kitchen, but it is becoming more and more common. Usually they decorate an entire wall: from beginning to end. But such a design may seem massive, so it is only permissible in a spacious kitchen.

The advantage is that you get a lot of storage space for things: from household supplies to household appliances, such as a food processor or steamer.

To prevent the rack from looking cluttered, you can insert special boxes into it, and put the utensils in them.

You can also place a shelving unit in a small kitchen, but the size will, of course, be different. Usually it is mounted above the work area from the sink to the stove. Moreover, it is better to avoid shelves above the stove itself to avoid contamination and, in the worst case, a fire.

Above the island

We have discussed the option of shelves built into the kitchen island above. But there is another way to give the space more functionality - hanging shelves above the island. This solution will instantly attract attention and make the kitchen more original and cozy. The main thing is to put away things that are not often used.

Instead of wall cabinets

Some housewives dare to have a kitchen without upper cabinets. If you are not ready for this yet, then there are two popular placement options for open shelves:

on both sides of the window - most often used in country houses where the sink is located near the window. In such cases, shelves for clean dishes are placed around it;
on both sides there are hoods - shelves with their bottoms will protect the wall and ceiling from splashes of grease, and their symmetrical arrangement will give harmony to the kitchen. They store dishes and other decor on such shelves, since food can spoil due to high temperatures.

Wall shelves can be hung almost anywhere, the main thing is to figure out what to fill them with.

Around the doorway

Often there is a lot of space left around the doorway that is not used in any way, because standard storage systems simply do not fit there. This problem can be easily solved by shelves of shallow depth, which you can fix with your own hands.

It is best to give preference to wall shelves with hidden fastenings - this will instantly add originality to the room. It is best to store cookbooks, beautiful dishes and all sorts of cute little things in such a space.

Structural types of shelves

Open wall shelf

Most beautiful! These are the simplest shelves, which include the open type. They allow you to make maximum use of the surface for decorating the space. Beautiful dishes, candles, vases, indoor plants - all this will fill your kitchen with a special atmosphere and comfort. They are easy to manufacture and install, cheaper than other shelf systems, and therefore are the most common element in the kitchen.

You need to hang the shelves so that they do not interfere with free movement around the kitchen.

Closed wall shelf

A closed space is sometimes necessary. To hide items from prying eyes and/or reduce cleaning time. At such a moment, the shelf turns into a small cabinet. Most often they are made of laminated chipboard or metal.

Corner wall shelves

There is always a place in any corner and it can be used to good effect. These wall shelves are ideal for small kitchens. Depending on the idea and space possibilities, they can be rectangular or triangular.

Modular wall shelves

If you have a free wall, then shelves consisting of modules of different designs will become the main attraction of your kitchen. This is a whole system of spaces for storing and displaying necessary and simply beautiful things.

Wall shelves with built-in drawers

Many housewives adore this type of hanging shelves, where they have the opportunity and beauty to display and store various small items. The boxes can be wooden or, as in the photo, originally made in the form of glass mugs.

Illuminated shelves

Light in this case serves two purposes of your choice - decorative lighting or additional illumination of the work space, or both. The light source can be spotlights, LED strips or ready-made shelves with fluorescent lighting. In the photo below you can see how they will look with built-in spotlights.

Shelves with fluorescent lighting look very stylish.

In what style are they appropriate?

Thanks to the variety of shapes, colors, and materials, open shelves can fit into almost any interior, except classic and rococo, which like to emphasize luxury and sophistication in everything. It is simply inappropriate for such styles to “save” on doors when it is possible to make them glass and once again emphasize the elegance of the interior.

Open shelves will fit into simpler designs without any problems. As usual, each design direction has its own characteristics, which we will briefly list.

Country/Provence

These two directions always go side by side. Some even call Provence French country. The main goal of the style is to create a cozy atmosphere of a country house, so open shelves will look quite appropriate. The filling is also simple: flower pots and beautiful ceramic plates with a pattern. The shelves themselves are made of wood; if desired, you can add a light curtain made of natural fabric with a pattern.

Modern styles

Modern, high-tech, loft or minimalism are also not against open shelves. The main thing is that they should be as simple as possible without unnecessary decor. It is better to choose glass or metal from materials. The content should be functional, decor should be kept to a minimum. Neutral colors - black, white, gray.

Scandinavian style

The Scandinavian style loves functionality and closeness to nature. That is why the most common option for open shelves in a kitchen in a similar interior is combined with closed cabinets made of wood. This is both stylish and functional, because everything unnecessary can be removed behind the door.

Family photographs, images of nature or landmarks will look good as decor on open shelves. Colors are also selected only those that are found in nature. Dark green is at the peak of popularity now.

Review of materials

Which shelf will decorate the kitchen - wooden, steel, glass or MDF board?

Wooden wall shelves for the kitchen and photos of successful projects

Wooden shelves have the ability to soften the formalism of inexpensive kitchens with smooth fronts. They immediately make the interior more expensive. Designers benefit from the fact that fusion – a mixture of styles – has come into fashion. Even in a brilliantly cold high-tech kitchen, a wooden shelf will become a decoration and add spice to the interior. Of course, the material should speak for itself - the wood should be of good quality and texture.

Textured wooden shelves

In a classic kitchen, industrial (loft), steampunk and, of course, country style, wooden shelves look most organic.

A new look at MDF

How can you make a wooden shelf waterproof and can be cleaned with any detergent without the risk of damaging the surface? It turns out that it’s easier to skillfully imitate wood. The manufacturing technology of MDF boards allows you to copy the pattern, relief and even the characteristic roughness of wood.

MDF technology skillfully imitates wood

MDF shelves can be of different colors, patterns, matte or glossy. This material is durable and suitable for any project, from traditional to the most creative. Using MDF in the kitchen is a great idea, and this is proven by the numerous options for wall shelves for the kitchen - see the photo below.

White matte MDF shelves

Shine and purity of metal

Metal hanging shelves in the kitchen will survive more than one reconstruction. You can do cosmetic repairs, change furniture, but steel structures will definitely return to their place. They embody two important qualities - sterility and durability. Now relevance is added to them: they are in trend, and this is for a long time.

Metal wall shelves in the kitchen are always in trend

The deceptive fragility of glass

Glass shelves in the kitchen break up the routine and bring a festive, upbeat mood. Tempered glass is visually weightless and very durable. Glass wall shelves are rarely included in a project, which is a pity; they are best suited as a display case for elegant dishes and decorative items. Small kitchens especially benefit from non-standard design: they are filled with light and seem more spacious.

Glass wall shelves in the kitchen

How to organize an open storage system?

One of the main life hacks is attaching the railing to the shelf. This will significantly free up your work space, since a huge number of things can be carried on the railing:

ladles;
knives;
paper towels;
graters;

potholders;
dishwashing detergent with sponge;
cutting boards.

The main thing is not to overdo it so that the kitchen does not look cluttered.

On the open shelves themselves (at least the lower ones) you should place only those dishes that are often used - this way the surface will not become dirty and dusty, and the plates and cups will be wiped periodically.
To store bulk products, it is better to purchase beautiful, identical containers. It is worth noting that all chips and scratches will be noticeable, so it is better to get rid of such dishes immediately or at least hide them behind the door. But cardboard, paper or plastic packaging, even in perfect condition, are not allowed on an open shelf.
A collection of cookbooks or wine will look beautiful. If you need to place a lot of small and not very beautiful items, it is better to choose a container for them that matches the style of the kitchen.
If you want to store beautiful plates on open shelves, it is better not to put them in a pile, but to place them in a row with their backs facing the wall. To prevent plates from falling, the shelves are provided with transverse beams or sides. If you don't have them, you can buy special plate holders.
There are also interesting options for storing glass bottles, such as wine, on open shelves. Special holes are made in the bottom of the shelf into which the neck is inserted - in this case the bottles are stored at an angle.
Additional storage space for rarely used items can be arranged on a shelf directly under the ceiling. It should be wide enough to accommodate and hold pots, three-liter jars or a box of small utensils. Such a shelf will not be noticeable, but will greatly add functionality to the kitchen.

White kitchen with wooden shelves

Create small open wooden shelving units to store ceramic decorative plates and glasses that are used frequently. This way they will always be easily accessible.

Rack on two levels. This rack is more decorative - additional than basic. Here, just like in the previous one, there are both open and closed cells.

White wooden rack. We are used to the kitchen shelving taking up the entire wall, but you can leave room for decorations. After all, capacity is regulated not only by the length of the rack, but also by its depth. Glasses can be placed on a separate hanging shelf.

Wooden shelving with movable shelves. Two light open wooden shelving units go well with the wooden floor. The position of the shelves, their length and height can be adjusted; to do this, just remove the shelf and insert the holders into another place on the rack. All the holes for the holders are already prepared, and you don’t need to drill anything, the shelves can be rearranged in a minute!

Scandinavian style. Dishes, flowerpots, clocks, candles, boxes - everything will fit on these shelves in a Scandinavian-style kitchen. And yellow and green chairs will make the atmosphere more joyful.

White open shelves in Scandinavian style. If you are going to make a kitchen in a Scandinavian style, then take a closer look at the photo above. Here the wall is covered with white tiles and closed shelves would hide all this beauty behind them, while open ones allow you to enjoy and highlight it. Place everything you need on them and use it.

The wall resembles the previous version, but here the shelves are not painted white, but a natural wooden color, and the lower closed drawers and shelf holders are made in black. You can place several flowerpots with flowers on the top shelves.

A board wall on which you can write and draw, folding chairs, a place for a bicycle on one of the walls, decorative tiles on the floor and shelves with spices, and at the same time an overall white restraint - an ideal option for young apartment owners.

Lighting

Since with open shelves there is more main lighting compared to a wall-mounted set, there is no need to think additionally about light. The only exception is when the shelves are too dark, or there is a desire to highlight the items on them. In such cases, you can make spotlights either on the same shelf or on the bottom of the shelf above.

The best option would be an LED strip that runs along the surface of wood or metal. You need to be careful with glass, because light penetrating through it can still blind your eyes due to its brightness.

If the shelves are located above the work area, a good option would be to add lighting at the bottom to make cooking in the evenings more comfortable.

How to decorate?

Selecting decor for open shelves is a very interesting, but also responsible matter. There are several steps that will help you get the perfect result.

If there is something on the shelf, it must be removed. The canvas that we will paint must be clean.
Search in the closet, on the balcony and similar places. It's time for those things that "will be useful someday": all the beautiful jars with unusual labels are taken out, cleaned and inspected for damage. If everything is fine at this stage, then the item has a chance to go on the shelf. The main thing is that it matches the style.
Identify what is frequently used and put it on the bottom shelf. These could be your favorite mugs or wine glasses. It is not necessary to display the entire set - if two glasses are often used, then they should be displayed so that dust does not spread.
Use of books. Ideally, this would be a culinary theme, of course, but simply beautiful publications would also do. Even with such an element, it is important to respect the style: a luxurious antique book with a gold spine will look out of place in a minimalist kitchen.
Careful selection. All cracked or unsightly items should be removed from the shelf, even if they are very dear to your heart. The same applies to single items. An even number of things is best - it gives a feeling of harmony.
Unusual shape. A simple technique will help make the content more interesting and unique: collecting things in piles. If you put a cup in another cup and do the same with the gravy boats, the interior will become more comfortable. You can do the same with saucers, and put a beautiful bowl on top. The main thing is not to combine identical things in this way.
Choice of material. If you combine many different materials on one shelf, you can overload the interior. It is better to choose one or, at most, two materials for the composition.
Landscaping. A win-win option for kitchen decoration. If you don’t want to use real flowers, you can always choose artificial ones.

With all this variety of options for how to decorate open shelves, it is important not to overdo it with the decor.

There is one very simple rule here - it should be convenient for the housewife to get a specific item without touching others. If you had to move something away, then it’s better to get rid of such decor.

Open shelves for the kitchen: the best solutions for organizing space

Advantages and disadvantages

Shelves in the kitchen are installed to solve practical (storage) and aesthetic (decorative) problems.

Advantages of using shelves in the interior:
are cheaper than closed headset designs;
suitable for different directions in the design of premises;
visually expand the space, give it “airiness”;
mobile shelves - can be moved or removed if necessary;
suitable for storing food and kitchen utensils;
provide quick access to objects placed on them;
serve as a showcase for jewelry and fine dishes.

Wall-mounted shelves also have disadvantages:
require frequent cleaning - not hidden from dust, soot, sunlight;
less spacious than drawers and cabinets;
Objects placed on the surface must be handled carefully, otherwise they may fall.

It is worth remembering that these disadvantages and advantages are subjective. What is unacceptable for one consumer may be the best option for another. You need to weigh the pros and cons and determine the location for installing kitchen shelves at the stage of planning the set.

Expert opinion

Olga Kovalenko

Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.

If furniture is already installed in the room, additional shelves should be combined with the overall design.

Conclusion

Open shelves are still new, but already fashionable design for the kitchen wall. Before you decide on it, you need to figure out where the shelves will be located and what will be on them. If you approach your choice responsibly, the risk will be justified by an amazing result.

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