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8 Ideas For Immaculate Open Shelving
How to Keep Kitchen Shelves Looking Sleek and Not Sloppy
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
Open kitchen shelving can be wonderfully practical, but it can also be seriously messy. Can't the balance between a workable kitchen and a stylish one be hard to strike?
While open shelving and countertop canisters for utensils have often been features of a more casual, rural kitchen, these elements now find themselves in sleek and modern kitchens as well. In fact, kitchens of all styles are more and more successfully exhibiting the lived-in feel of a workable space — a room that is the warm heart of the home, no matter if said dwelling is urban and sophisticated or more traditional in appearance.
Here are eight ideas to work open shelving into your home, for chic results that work with any style.
While open shelving and countertop canisters for utensils have often been features of a more casual, rural kitchen, these elements now find themselves in sleek and modern kitchens as well. In fact, kitchens of all styles are more and more successfully exhibiting the lived-in feel of a workable space — a room that is the warm heart of the home, no matter if said dwelling is urban and sophisticated or more traditional in appearance.
Here are eight ideas to work open shelving into your home, for chic results that work with any style.
1. Use uniformity. Rather than a random mix of materials, line up bulk ingredients in glass jars. You'll be better on the earth and better on the eye. This wall is so sleek and keeps what the cook needs within an easy arm's reach.
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| 2. Single out the spices. While larger pots and pans are kept hidden, the smaller ingredients like spices are lined up on small, slender shelves. Such a deliberate arrangement not only keeps the buildup of spice jars out of your way, it becomes a beautiful display. |
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| 3. Build a display. In modular kitchens, use the space's vertical versatility to add storage as well as beauty. This shelving keeps items organized and separated while creating an overall look that flows well with the other dark wood and the similarly stacked art. |
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| This metal shelving also seems to float vertically above the cooking area, and ties beautifully into the metal throughout the room. |
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| One slender shelf resides above the cooking surface and coincides with the larger storage on the island. The kitchen therefore manages to look sleek while offering workability. |
by mark gerwing
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4. Consider hanging shelving. Most of us think of open shelving as being against a wall, but this shelving system adds storage in a normally blank space. Adding this kind of shelving automatically gives you much more kitchen storage space without obstructing the view.
by mark gerwing
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See how wonderfully it keeps the room open?
5. Think clearly. This hanging shelving keeps the room open when clear glassware and serving platters are stored. Keep the heavy plates, pots and pans for another area.
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| 6. Segment the storage. This wonderful working kitchen offers accessibility without clutter, thanks largely to segmenting the materials. Pots, pans and heavier items go below on the island, lighter servingware resides on the upper shelving, and grab-able spatulas and utensils find a discreet spot in the corner of the countertop. |
7. Keep them on the side. If open shelving right in your face is too much, consider creating more distinct open shelving just on the side of the kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling shelving can easily be added to a nearby pantry or even a close hallway wall.
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| This kitchen is unbelievably minimalist, yet offers plentiful open storage around the corner of the island. The shelves seem to float on air along with the clear and beautiful island stools. |
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| 8. Make your materials monochromatic. This kitchen manages to have a modern and classic feel. The dishes coincide exactly with this aesthetic. Open and casually stacked, the dishes offer a clean and uniform look. |
This kitchen strikes a similar balance. The shelves are filled yet sleek, and are balanced by the minimalist and neat countertops. What a beautiful galley kitchen.
More ways to upgrade the kitchen:
12 Great Ideas for Organization In the Kitchen
15 Quick Kitchen Fixes
More ways to upgrade the kitchen:
12 Great Ideas for Organization In the Kitchen
15 Quick Kitchen Fixes
Ideabook published on April 15, 2011.
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2. Beadboard backed display niches flank entrance into walk-in pantry with floor to ceiling shelves and a window
3. A collection of Portmeirion Botanic Garden china beautifully displayed on hutch shelves backed with beadboard.
4. A master bath open niche for display or toiletries
Last year I toured a home here in Portland which had been featured in Metropolitan Home (a moment of silence please for the passing of my favorite magazine .... sniff .... ) and they actually had a glass wall for their bedroom closet. EVERYTHING on display. Unless you are Laura Croft: Tomb Raider, with her 7 white t-shirts, 7 black pants and nothing else hanging an evenly spaced 1 foot apart, I think the open shelving was carried a bit too far there.