Styling open shelves in the kitchen is easy with these 5 simple tips.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy here
When I found out we had to move again {during the holidays no less}. I comforted myself with the idea that maybe, just maybe I would finally get my white kitchen.
Well, that didn’t happen. Womp womp!
However, I was over the moon when I saw the breakfast nook had the perfect spot to set up my coffee bar with open shelves.
Trust me you want me to have my coffee in the morning LOL!
Styling Open Shelves In The Kitchen
As much as I love the look of the open shelves over my coffee bar in the kitchen. When I first installed them in our last home I struggled with styling them.
But after a while, I had an aha moment {shout out to Oprah}.
I realized I basically use the same design principles each time I styled my shelves!
While there’s really no wrong way to style open shelves in the kitchen.
We want to make sure they are not looking too cluttered or visually overwhelming.
They are open after all.
5 simple tips for styling open shelves
- Limit the overall color scheme to 1-2 main colors. Having a color scheme {or theme} will automatically help you narrow down the pieces you can use. Making it less likely to go overboard. While I mostly use white. The wine corks, cutting board, and even the cookies add texture and keep it from looking too sterile. The small touch of green and blue added a pop of color.
- Use items with different heights & shapes. This will keep your open shelves visually interesting while also giving it a more stylish look.
- Leave some breathing room. When styling open shelves less is more, because it can go from cute to cluttered real quick. So be selective and keep the number of items on each shelf to a minimum.
- Add a little shine. I always like to add metallic accents when styling open shelves. It doesn’t have to be over the top. Just a touch here and there will make your shelfie sparkle. Here I have gold accents through the vintage salt and pepper shakers, cutting board, honey pot, and the gold basket.
- Add some greenery. Honestly, when decorating any space I think it’s always a good idea to add some sort of plant {real or faux}. Plants add texture, color, and interest. A win-win in my book!
Once you have everything you want up on your shelves, it’s time to step back {literally} and assess. Adding and taking away pieces until you’re satisfied with how your open shelves look {this is the fun part for me}.
Alright friends, I hope these tips will help offer some help and inspiration when you style your shelves.
I would love to know if you have any shelf styling tips to share!
Thank you for visiting! See you next time!
Linda, These Five tips are awesome, great post! The first one on having two primary colors is really good—as soon as I read it I immediately realized that is on of the things that I love the most… it’s comforting on my eyes for some reason.
Hi Linda!
My name is Lucy and it is a pleasure to meet you! Your blog is lovely and I’ve already learned so much! Your shelving ideas are terrific! I, too, have a fun coffee bar with shelves but mine are not near as nice looking as yours.😕 I have no place on the actual coffee table beneath the shelves for my coffee cup collection that I love so they are nicely arranged on the 1st shelf. The 2nd shelf holds my pitcher collection on either side of some cookbooks and the third (which is too high to conveniently reach) holds some lovely decorative pieces. What do you suggest I do?
Your blog will come to me now via email so I can check in any time you post! Can’t wait and would honestly love and respect your opinion concerning my coffee bar shelves!
Happy Fall!
Hey lady! I was just discussing this option with my son for his house! This post came right on time.. I love how yours turned out! I’m showing him your pics
Jamala I’m so happy to hear that! I really love having the open shelves. Not only are they pretty but they also add storage. Hope it works out for your son!