Photo please.

Oh goodness that would help! I cant figure out how to edit the post so here is the picture. Thanks so much!

Replace the shelves with picture ledges. Buy several frames and place you kid's art in the frames. You can replace the art periodically.

I love this but the shelves have to stay for now. Need a solution to decorate with the existing shelves

We need a photo of the KITCHEN.

You have to get rid of 3/4 of that stuff. Maybe store it in a box and display in rotation. No alternative.

Take everything off those shelves. TAPE artwork to the wood edges and yo will have 3 rows of displayed artwork that will be easy to switch out.

Take all the stuff off the shelves and the display kids art . Not sure what the problem is. You hate the clutter get rid of it . IMO also off the desk if it is not in use it does not need to be out. Decluttering is very therapeutic too it makes you breathe easier not to mention easier to clean . Not sure why you can't remove it , are you renting?

You can still add framed art to the existing shelves. A quarter-round trim piece, stained or painted to match shelves can be glued to the front edge of each shelf, OR purchase picture stands for each framed piece to keep in place.

Your problem is all the clutter. Get rid of all of it then add back just a few interesting pieces.

Declutter your shelves

Here's a recipe to try out:

Put all the objects on the counter. Then pick one medium-size object for the top shelf, three medium for the second, and five medium for the bottom shelf. See how it looks.

If it is too much, switch to show just the framed photos.

Thank you all. I think I’m transitioning from country/farmhouse look to a more modern look. The shelves were custom and expensive so removing them after a few years isn’t an option. So trying to figure out how to modernize them a bit and make this space calm/uncluttered) but also work for us (I need a place for the kids Art!) Here is a picture of the rest of the kitchen. Nothing is precious. And I’d be happy if everything could go…but it’s a lot to keep up with young kids so at least I can start by cleaning up these useless shelves! 😂

It sounds as if you know you're going to have to let go of some of those items on the shelves now, and that today is the time to do it. When your banquet plate is completely full, you have to move something off just to make room for anything else. I'd advise you to start with that top shelf, where the tree is fabulous and looks great right where it is. Then after removing everything else on that shelf, move the two photos in the coordinating nice wooden frames up there on either side of the tree. (Yes, the change will seem jarring at first, but that initial reaction won't last, give it a few days, and enjoy getting those adorable pics out of the shadows. The portrait orientation of the frames will fit better on the top shelf, and leave some "breathing room".)

Maybe move the cookbooks/apple down to the left corner of the desk, if you can't do without them. Unless the apple is truly meaningful, maybe swap in a small vertical bookend to reduce the visual clutter. Perhaps ask yourself if the apple is more important than room for the kids' art?

Sorry, I don't have a pic, but there are those inexpensive clear lucite self-standing frames in all sizes, where you slip the paper/photo in from the side, and they'd be great in this revolving gallery. They can be swapped out in a few seconds, and can be turned in both portrait and landscape positions.

When you happen to see those battery operated undershelf puck lights, it would help to install a few of those under the shelves, too. The good ones come with a remote control which would be esssential in this case.

Just one more suggestion, it might help with desk clutter to have a small/medium basket to hold the paper clutter. Since everything else is hard surfaced, it might be sweet to have a fabric or rope basket there, something with a softer texture.

Expensive? They’re pretty basic. How much money did you pay for them? i understand not loving them, but hate? They’re three pieces of wood.

You’ll notice them less if you paint them the same color as your cabinets.

Agree the issue is clutter. I’d follow the suggestion of frames, as in lisedv’s example, for kids’ art. Keep it much simpler/calmer and you can rotate the art.

This looks like a warm and friendly family kitchen, well used. The colorful flowers are a nice touch.

It's fine to change decorative objects seasonally. Four seasons, four arrangements. Or one for winter, one for summer. Whatever makes you happy.

You have too many disparate objects on the shelves. I'd hang the pictures, remove the vases with flowers --- one might be fine. Then, pick a collected set of items. Commonly used dished might work. They are all on color. Then, you can add a decorative item or two and decide if it results in clutter or not.

The OP wrote: "I wanted to find a place to display my kids artwork in a cool, gallery type way and wondering if I could use the shelves for this?"

Frames that open in front to display kids' artwork are sold in Target, Walmart, Michael's and online.

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Kids-Art-Frame-Changeable/dp/B0CB5GKNSK

I would make color copies of the artwork so you can save the originals and make a collage on canvas or with a frame - 2 large ones and cover the shelves. Now you can use the shelves as storage and fully feature your kids.

Good luck!

I set up fun ways to display my children's art works in their own rooms. The methods changed over time but the the best was rows of ribbons thumb tacked to the wall, with small decorative clothes pegs holding their art. They were in charge of arranging it/changing it.

I am more cheerful when my kitchen is uncluttered.

Thank you all for the advice. The shelves have to stay so I have to work with them. I am not attached to any items on these shelves that I need them in my kitchen. Here is a progress photo using what I have as well as an idea from chat GPT which might be closer to what I’m looking for. Would love additional thoughts. Thank you so much!

Great job, it already looks better! Have you considered swapping the positions of the photos on the top shelf? The one on the right with the darker mat has more visual weight, and I'm wondering how it would look in the larger volume to the left of that beautiful tree? I like the way you left some visual space below that top shelf so the eye can go all the way to the wall. The sharp horizontal line it shows is such a nice contrast to the texture of the tree above. Since you asked for additional thoughts, I'll offer that I'm not sure those 2 Domino cannisters are doing anything to enhance the whole area. Just holding my thumb over them on the monitor image improved the consistency of the look, IMHO, but that's just a personal preference, YMMV 😀.

It looks much better! Less is more. Your commitment to them, the price you paid for them, begs the question what did you have in mind back then??? As far as a place to display kid art...they make frames that easly swap their contents in and out. A shelf per child, a frame per child and one could keep the latest on display. A child will help remind you and request this newest pic be displayed... At my home at the height of the kid art phase I purchased underbed plastic bins that all old art went it. It becomes their specail treasure trove. Mine felt it gave proper honor to their creativity. Eventually if you are still attached to all or certain creations photos can be taken of each and kept either in a scrap book or as I would a file on my lap top.

The rendering from ChatGPT looks appealing because the colors in the artwork are all similar, small, light and bright, and the frames are also identical and light. And the sizes are all balanced. If your children's art looks like that - great. Otherwise, it will be hard to match that look. Some of the suggestions by others above about displaying each child's art may be more appropriate and easier to engineer. I like the idea of displaying the art on hanging strings with little clothespins, so maybe you can find a place in your house for that type of arrangement.

Your arrangement looks better than before, so much less cluttered.

I would switch out some of the framed pictures for more 3 dimensional items that vary in height and width. For example, put the scale on the top left shelf and add the apple on top of it for height. Along with the cute cylindrical tootsie roll container, these can be your tall items there. Bring back the red-labelled tin somewhere to repeat the red colour of the apple.

Hallways are a great place to group small pictures because you stand right in front of them and see them. When they're on a wall above a chair or up on a higher shelf, you can't really appreciate them well. If you put up a picture shelf or 2 in a hallway, you can easily rotate or add to them as your children provide you with more adorable moments.

Take pictures of the art and display on a digital photo frame.

Thank you all again. All such wonderful feedback. I’ll keep working on it but the first pass with everyone’s advice was a huge improvement!

@arcy_gw - I thought the shelves would look more monochrome. Perhaps stacks of dishes (that didn’t make sense in real life) or all white shapes/sizes. But kids and life got in the way. I also do the bins for my kids art and they’re very happy with their bins. But some stuff is so cute that I’d love to display it but in a “professional” way.

@nester. A very good point about chat gPT. It won’t look as clean cut as that. Something helpful to consider!

@partim - the tootsie roll was the one thing I took from my grandmothers house after she passed over 25 years ago. It’s hard to find a home for it but Thank you for recognizing it!

@smiley thank you for such pointed advice, of which II’ve been taking a lot of!! Appreciate the kindness as well.