Style Your Kitchen Shelves

When you are looking to fill in some blank spaces on your open shelving, or gather new, decorative and functional items, let this collection of accessories provide inspiration. From canisters to baskets and from vases to jars, you’ll find a variety of items that can help fill out your open kitchen shelving for a look that’s uniquely yours.

While it’s tempting to set up your open kitchen shelving following a designer-written set of rules, it’s much more relaxing and fun to make your open shelving functional and eye-catching, and more importantly, work for you and your lifestyle.

That said, here are some general tips to get you started brainstorming ideas for how your open shelves can elevate your kitchen to one of enjoyment as well as a decorative element that’s uniquely your own. (Some of these images are shelves at Magnolia Market, they are perfect to get some ideas on how to decorate kitchen shelves.)

This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you. For further information, please see our disclosure policy.

Neatness Counts

As a general rule (or strong suggestion!), less is more, so overloading and crowing items on your open shelving isn’t the best option. Save the overstuffing for those cabinets that actually have a door on them.

Matching Sets

Think about those items that will look amazing, either due to their color or function, on your open shelves. Plates, bowls, cups, glasses, etc are all great choices that can be used decoratively when styling your shelves.

Stacking

Stacking items of a similar nature, such as plates or bowls, isn’t considered overloading when you’re using them as a display item. For example, all white or all blue plates or bowls stacked on a shelf adds symmetry as well as color. Another example of stacking could be books, such as cookbooks, in a corner of a shelf.

Meaningful Items

Do you have a collection of decorative pieces that you love? A pitcher, vase, bowl, platter or even a piece that you want to use to define your theme? These types of items are great idea starters that you can work and design around on a shelf.

Jars

Jars and containers are a great way to enhance open shelving. Their decorative and functional uses are endless. Choose matching sets, or color/gradient sets. Different shapes and sizes grouped together look amazing. Use clear or colored glass or ceramic containers to help define your shelves and theme.

Natural Elements

If you have shelves of glass and ceramic, don’t forget to add a natural touch here and there. Bamboo, seagrass, wood and other natural fibers can be tucked in here and there to break up the monotony of same textured-items.

Greenery

Faux or real, it’s always a great idea to add a little greenery to your shelves. Succulents, herbs, and ivy are all small green ideas that can soften the look of your open shelving. Small vases and pots can easily fit on a corner of a shelf and add charm to your theme.

These are just a few tips to help you make the most of your open shelving. Have fun moving items around until you find “that look” that just seems to pull together your kitchen.

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Beautiful Accessories To Help Style Your Open Kitchen Shelves

AIRTIGHT GLASS JARS WITH LIDS

Lined up neatly and filled with ingredients like pasta, rice, cereal, coffee, flour and sugar, these glass jars are an easy and decorative way to display pantry items out in the open. They sport an air-tight hinged lid to ensure freshness of their contents.

CERAMIC VASE SET

This set of small ceramic white vases are perfect to tuck in a corner of a shelf with faux flowers or a freshly picked bloom or two from your garden. The set can be grouped together for dramatic effect, thanks to their varying designs. Used singularly, they are just as stunning.

SALT AND PEPPER SET

Tall and sleek, this wood salt and pepper set will add some vertical height to your shelving while adding a natural element to your decor. A salt and pepper round box is also included in the set for an additional piece to display. For a copper salt and pepper set, this classic look is on my list.

SPICE JARS WITH LABELS

These glass spice jars with bamboo lids and 3 styles of labels from which to choose will present a cohesive look when displayed on shelving. It’s a great way to keep your spices handy while also being organized and decorative. Or give this look a try!

BUBBLE GLASS VASE

Bubble glass gives this vase set a rustic touch which may be just the look to help define your shelving space. Perfect for flowers or fairy lights, or just on its own, the vase is available in pale blue or green shades to compliment your decor. Or try these beautiful ceramic vases.

CARVED BOWL

This mango wood bowl will bring a natural element to your shelving look with its whitewashed shade that sports carved circles. Use functionally as a serving bowl when needed and decoratively when not in use. For vertically stacked bowls, these would be perfect.

MARBLE CANISTER SET

This set of marble canisters in varying sizes will add a clean look to your shelves. The air-tight lids are made of bamboo and can seal in freshness for any canister content. They are available in white, gray or black, any of which will present a striking look. These vintage dutch-looking copper canisters are also beautiful.

CIRCULAR CUTTING BOARD

A gorgeous wood cutting board can add a natural element to your shelves when not in functional use. A circular board will add visual interest when propped charmingly on your open shelf. Add it behind a small pot of greenery for a more dramatic effect. Check here for a larger rectangle cutting board.

MORTAR AND PESTLE SET

Rustic and functional, this unpolished mortar and pestle is a perfect item to add to your open shelving. It can sit next to your cookbooks or a set of dishes or a pretty basket. A wood mortar and pestle can bring warmth to kitchen shelves.

BASKETS

Seagrass baskets can add a ligher touch to your shelving. This set of 3 baskets in different sizes gives you the option to use them on multiple shelves for a varying look. The natural material is the wonderful textured look to contrast with ceramic items.