London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 26, 2025

How to Effortlessly Style Open Kitchen Shelves in 5 Easy Steps

How to Effortlessly Style Open Kitchen Shelves in 5 Easy Steps

Use what you already have to create a stylish yet functional shelf display.

Floating shelves are a kitchen design trend that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. You can find them in kitchens of nearly every style, usually stacked with an artfully curated selection of dishware and accessories. According to the 2021 Pinterest trend report, searches for "kitchen floating shelves decor" are up 130% compared to the previous year as people continue to trade upper cabinetry for this airier alternative.

Open shelves provide an opportunity to show off your personality in the kitchen, but figuring out how to turn your jumble of plates and mugs into a cohesive display can be daunting. Fortunately, there are a few simple design tricks that can help you create an enviable #shelfie using (mostly) items you already own. Follow these steps for styling open kitchen shelves to effortlessly pull off a gorgeous display.



1. Edit down your collection.


Open shelves should be reserved for a thoughtful selection of items. To start, assess your dishware collection and pull out the essentials you actually use every day, such as plates, bowls, mugs, and glasses. Storing these items on open shelves allows quick access to the dishware you use the most, ensuring your display is functional.

Consider how many of each item you typically go through in a day and plan to display no more than that. To avoid an overcrowded look, resist the urge to use up all available space for storage. Find another home for spare dishes and anything you'd rather not display, including food storage containers, kids' tableware, and anything that's chipped or damaged.



2. Mix dishes with other items.


Combine everyday dishware with accessories to create a more interesting arrangement. Shop around your home for items that can add dimension and personality to kitchen floating shelves. Grab a potted plant from the living room, and pull a few cookbooks off a shelf. Gather vases, trays, candlesticks, and other decorative accents that coordinate with your kitchen's color palette. Thrift stores are also a great place to find inexpensive artwork or fun accessories to complement your open shelving decor.



3. Place items on shelves according to use.


Consider ease of access as you decide where to place items on open shelves. For example, dishware you use on a daily basis should be arranged on lower shelves so it's easy to reach. Reserve the top shelf for lesser-used items like fancy glassware or artwork and accessories that are just for show. Make sure dishes aren't stacked too high or arranged precariously so you don't cause an avalanche when pulling out a piece.



4. Vary size and scale.


Use items in a variety of shapes and sizes to create a more visually interesting arrangement. Start with your largest objects, such as framed art, wood cutting boards, or tall vases, and spread them out across the shelves. Next, fill in the gaps with medium-sized pieces, taking care to space out items with similar colors, patterns, or shapes for a balanced look. Intersperse the display with your smallest accessories to create a layered, collected effect. In general, it's best to leave some space between items so the arrangement doesn't appear too busy, but feel free to overlap a few pieces for a more casual display.



5. Accessorize the under-shelf area.


Don't forget about the space underneath when decorating floating kitchen shelves. Use this countertop area to ground the arrangement and complete the look. Lean a few wood cutting boards against the wall for a bit of texture and warmth, or add a bowl of fruit or potted herbs for freshness. Set out pretty canisters that provide hidden storage and a pop of color. Again, vary sizes and shapes for a more dynamic impression.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
×