16 Best Kitchen Shelving Ideas That Maximize Your Space

The kitchen is intended to be a relaxing environment. However, with so many tiny items, it may quickly become an origin of discord. Don’t worry, though; you can change. Kitchen shelves are a valuable tool for change. They offer a versatile and visually appealing method to increase storage, display your favorite items, and make the kitchen more functional. Let’s see how to maximize the kitchen with these simple kitchen shelving ideas.

shelves for the kitchen ideas — Image credit: @floraldeco

Maximize Open Shelf Space

Open shelving may provide the idea of extra space in a kitchen, making it a great option for tiny kitchens. When creating the layout designs, think about putting floating shelves along the wall or above the cabinets. This helps you to get the most out of your vertical area. When using open shelving, place the items you use the most on the shelves that are easy to get to. Meanwhile, to reduce the appearance of overloading on the shelves, put similar items together to create a uniform impact.

Stack Your Cookware

Those big pots and pans use a lot of important cupboards space. Consider presenting them using tiered dividers. When you lay them out, put them in groups by size, with the biggest ones at the bottom and the smallest ones on top. In this way, your stack will not get too heavy at the top. Not sure what to do with all those pot lids? A pot lid organizer will help you stay organized. You could hang your most-used saucepans and frying pans on a hanging rack. This will make them easier to reach while you cook and make the rack look nice.

Layer Plates

Deep drawers aren’t always easy to store plates in. Try piling them on your shelf with plate dividers. Do not be scared to mix and match various designs and colors. This will add visual appeal and individuality to your shelves. You may also get creative by alternating between horizontal and vertical stacking for a unique visual impact. In addition, a few pots of herbs or plants may bring vitality and freshness to your plate presentation. They will also assist to break up the monotony of all the plates.

Store Everyday Essentials

Having daily kitchen basics on shelves helps you to keep your counters clutter-free and simplify your productivity. Sort items you use several times a day—such as water bottles, coffee mugs, or snack containers—then mark a place on your kitchen shelves. In this sense, arranging the table will be simple and fast. Your life will also be more enjoyable with these everyday items arranged.

Display Appliances

Putting small appliances on open shelves allows us to easily access them when we need them. To solve this problem, I propose placing them on open shelves. This way, when we need them, we can just reach for them. If organization is your main concern, group similar appliances (e.g., blenders, food processors, and mixers) together. However, if color or style are more important, then go ahead and arrange them however you like.

Create an Open Pantry

If you have the room, you might want to turn a wall or corner of your kitchen into an open pantry. This type of shelving lets you store and show off dry goods, spices, and canned goods in a way that is both organized and appealing to the eye. Using clear glass jars or baskets will help you keep your pantry more organized, and the ability to see how much dry goods you have left will help you make better decisions.

Go Vertical

If your kitchen doesn’t have enough horizontal space, you should change how you use it. If we go vertical, even a small place in your kitchen can give you a lot more room. Put tall, narrow shelves along empty wall space or even in your kitchen to make the most of every inch you have. Put boxes or bins on these upright shelves to keep everything neat and in order. You can change the height and position to meet your needs.

Install Corner Shelves

For whatever reason, many kitchen corners go unused. Of course, corner shelves can help you hide things you don’t use very often. These angled fixtures make the best use of odd nooks and corners. If you’re concerned about their crowded appearance, you can cover them with kitchen-coordinating drapes.

Install Hanging Hooks

Also, don’t forget how useful kitchen shelf hooks can be. You can hang everything from cups and silverware to aprons and dish towels on these simple but useful storage ideas. This way, your most-used items will always be close at hand. You can use slide hooks or place a shelf on the wall with S-hooks. That being said, don’t be afraid to try out different hook types and places to see what works best in your kitchen.

Try Double-Duty Shelves

Multifunctional shelving allows you to use a single area for various purposes. Install a shelf with a rod under it so you can hang your most-used cooking tools. This will also hold your favorite recipe. Alternatively, consider a tiered shelf with adequate room for spices, herbs, and even small appliances. It’s an excellent approach for best use of space and utility.

kitchen shelving ideas — Image credit: @photology2000

DIY a Spice Rack

Spice jar jars might clutter your kitchen. However, purchasing a new spice rack might be costly. Why then not create one for yourself? And once you’re finished, think about including additional drawer accessories to maximize your space. One easy and effective approach to store spices orderly and within reach is a do-it-yourself rack.

Pair With Hanging Storage

There is always limited shelf space, hence maximize the vertical space on your shelves. Hooks under the shelves allow you to hang utensils, mugs, even those lovely copper pots you seldom use but want to display. Your kitchen will seem like something from a magazine thanks to this striking mix.

Mix Shelving Usage

Fear that all the open shelves will make the room look boring? Think of grouping floating shelves with regular shelves or open shelves with closed cabinets. Alternatively, add plants or exhibit-worthy ornamental objects to open shelves for pots and pans, or transform them into eye-catching display places.

Add Ambient Lighting

Under your shelves, you may generate a warm, inviting glow by hanging LED light strips or tiny spotlights that accentuates the elegance and cohesiveness of your kitchen. It also makes your shelves more useful, thereby facilitating access to and view of everything.

Use Floating Shelves

Floating shelves let you maximize vertical wall space. As a result, you’ll have more useful counter and cabinet space. Their appearance of space gives your kitchen more airy and open feel.

Keep It Simple

At times, the most simple answers are the most effective. A comfortable kitchen is largely reliant on basic shelf design. Please don’t make your shelving system too hard to use. Just as effective as a sophisticated, multi-tiered design are a few ideal simple shelves. The secret is to identify a system that fits your own kitchen needs and own style.

Final Thoughts

Shelves in the kitchen are a great way to organize what you have. Besides that, they let you show off your style and character. With these ideas for kitchen shelves, you can turn your cooking area into a stylish and useful place that goes from ordinary to amazing.

FAQs

How do I make my kitchen shelves look good?

Edit down your collection. Open shelves should be reserved for a thoughtful selection of items.
Mix dishes with other items.
Place items on shelves according to use.
Vary size and scale.
Accessorize the under-shelf area.

What do you put on hanging shelves in the kitchen?

Use open shelving to store small items like dishware, cookbooks, and small decor items. Hang your collection of pots and pans from a central hanging rack to free up cabinet and shelving space while creating a unique focal point.

Are open shelves in the kitchen a good idea?

Open Shelving Makes Your Kitchen Feel Larger
On the one hand, floating shelves don’t take up a lot of physical (and therefore visual) space, so in a small or dark kitchen, swapping even three feet of cabinets for shelving can make a kitchen feel larger and brighter.

How to install floating shelves?

1: Locate the Studs. Using a stud finder, determine the location of the studs, as well as the shelf placement.
2: Attach the Bracket.
3: Determine Shelf Placement.
4: Install Other Brackets.
5: Add Shelf Casing and Secure.
6: Add Flair.