How to Decorate Open Shelves
Follow these tips to get shelves that are neat, beautiful, and functional—the open shelf trifecta!
Photo: Anne Sage
https://www.wayfair.com/shop-the-look/slp/jeff-mindell-for-lightlab-23--photo-id230844
When redesigning our kitchen in our foreclosure, we knew a) we had an awkward layout, b) we were on a super tight budget, and c) upper cabinets wouldn't fit, so we opted for open shelves rather than upper cabinets. It took us an entire year to get around to installing two open shelves (but it was very easy), and the difference amazed me.
Once they were installed, I didn't want to become one of those open shelf horror stories—the ones that look messy or just gather dust. Here are my best tips for making open shelving work in a real-life home on an everyday basis.
1. Go Neutral
Design: Terracotta Design Build
https://www.wayfair.com/shop-the-look/slp/kitchen-shelves--photo-id238016
We use all white china and pops of color for accents. Using white china is versatile and allows for an easy color change should I want to swap out colored pieces for something new.
Tip!
Paint the wall behind the shelves for a bold way to add color. This will highlight your shelves and create a focal point in the kitchen.
Design: Terracotta Design Build
https://www.wayfair.com/shop-the-look/slp/kitchen--photo-id237121
The plates, bowls, and serving pieces on the shelves are items I use daily! That means there's really no time for dishes to gather dust. Storing coffee mugs here helps break the flat lines of stacked plates and they're another item I reach for every morning.
Tip!
Now is the time to purge the items that you never use! The beauty of open shelves is that you can showcase (and access!) the serveware and dishes that you use on a regular basis.
3. Position Within Reach
Design: Terracotta Design Build
https://www.wayfair.com/Get-The-Look/Photo/128-Superior-Home-Kitchen-P149840
All of my oft-used pieces are placed at, or right above, eye level, so they're easy to get to when I'm preparing food and serving meals. This also means I'm not climbing all over the place.
Tip!
Open shelves remind us of what we already have. How many times have you wondered where that festive platter or antique creamer set ended up? Showcase those items, either year-round or for certain holidays.
4. Add Décor
Design: skout
https://www.wayfair.com/Get-The-Look/Photo/Skout-P243359
On the top shelf, place items that serve more as décor. I do tend to reach up there to water the plant or grab a pitcher for water, but it's not every day, which makes this a perfect place to store beautiful additions to the shelves that aren't functional.
Tip!
Notice, no large items were placed on top so that if they do happen to get dusty (hasn't been a problem yet), I'm able to easily grab them and rinse them off quickly. It's that simple! These tricks make open shelving beautiful and functional all at once.
