Skipping upper cabinets in kitchens becomes a trend, and we see more and more of such kitchens. They look airy, lightweight and inspiring and invite in. But how to substitute upper kitchen cabinets if you still need more storage space than lower ones can give? Go for open shelves! Open shelves in the kitchen are a great solution to display and store everything you want without making your kitchen look too bulky. Here are some ideas!
What Are Open Kitchen Shelves Pros?
Open shelves are cheaper than cabinets. The simple fact that there is less material needed to build them makes them a more affordable option than upper cabinets. Since floating shelves have become so popular in the industry, many retailers offer them for affordable pricing.
Floating kitchen shelves or shelves with brackets, is the easiest way to add your own shelving to your existing kitchen because of the various size options. Likewise, you can customize them to your space if you are building from scratch.
Adding open shelving to a small space helps it feel more open and airy. At the same time, it can sacrifice some storage that an upper cabinet might provide.
A lot of people use their open shelving for decor purposes or for practical purposes. The seasonal decor changes you make in your kitchen can all center around your floating kitchen shelves, and you will avoid clutter on the countertops.
Shaker cabinets and mixed metals enhance this beautiful black farmhouse kitchen. Floating shelves and retro sconces add unique charm. Use mixed metals to create a visually interesting space.
A beautiful blue shaker style kitchen with a grey subway tile backsplash, white quartz countertops and touches of brass.
A beautiful grey kitchen with white cabinets, a grey kitchen island, pendant lamps, rich-stained open shelves and tall stools.
A bright blue kitchen with shaker lower cabinets, black countertops, long open shelves and a white herringbone tile backsplash is amazing.
A bright kitchen with sleek wooden cabinets, concrete countertops and a colorful tile backsplash.
Bold blue lower cabinets and a kitchen island make this kitchen stand out. White countertops add a clean contrast. The backsplash ties the look together.
A catchy modern kitchen with sleek cabinets, an open shelf instead of upper ones, concrete countertops and marble tiles on the backsplash.
A chic contemporary kitchen with grey shaker cabinets, white stone countertops, a white Zellige tile backsplash and open shelving.
A chic mint blue kitchen with shaker cabinets, white countertops, a white square tile backsplash and open shelves is a very welcoming space.
A chic modern kitchen with dark green lower cabinets and an open shelf, a terrazzo backsplash, a dining space with dark green pendant lamps.
A chic white contemporary kitchen with light stained butcherblock countertops and gold touches looks elegant.
A colorful kitchen with orange walls, grey cabinetry, a mint blue fridge, a matching kitchen island and a bold orange printed tile backsplash.
A contemporary kitchen with light stained cabinets, a white hood, a stone backsplash and countertops plus a grey planked kitchen island.
A contemporary sleek white kitchen with light stained wooden countertops and a white subway tile backsplash for a catchier look.
How Deep Should Open Shelves Be?
Many retail shelving options come in depths as small as 4″. Those are best in a bathroom or hallway. For kitchens, you want to have a depth of at least 10 inches. This is important if you want to store dinner plates or other wider items on your shelving.
A cool and chic mid-century modern kitchen with stained cabinets, white stone countertops, an open shelf, artwork and books and potted plants.
Lower green cabinets bring energy to this vivacious kitchen. The geo tile backsplash adds visual interest. A long open shelf is ideal for displaying art and decor.
A cool contemporary navy kitchen with white countertops and a backsplash, rattan lamps and leather stools.
A cool rustic kitchen with stained fluted cabinets, white stone countertops and a backsplash, open shelves with railing and various decor.
A cozy olive green kitchen with chevron stained butcherblock countertops and matching floating shelves.
A grey farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, a white beadboard backsplash, open shelves and white countertops plus black sconces.
A mid-century modern kitchen with black shaker cabinets, beige granite countertops, white square tiles and open shelving.
A mid-century modern kitchen with stained cabinets, a large kitchen island, white countertops, corner open shelves is a lovely space.
A mid-century modern kitchen with stained cabinets, white stone countertops and a backsplash, open shelves and potted plants.
A mid-century modern kitchen with stained lower cabinets, white stone countertops, open shelving instead of upper cabinets and wallpaper backing.
A minimalist grey kitchen with stone countertops and a backsplash plus open shelves instead of upper cabinets and built-in appliances.
A modern white farmhouse kitchen with light stained butcherblock countertops that add warmth and interest to the space.
A monochromatic kitchen with black cabinets, an open black shelf instead of upper cabinets, a concrete countertop and a grey tile backsplash.
A navy shaker style kitchen with a white square tile backsplash and white quartz countertops plus brass touches and floating shelves.
A pure white kitchen with shaker lower cabinets, open shelving instead of upper ones, stainless steel appliances.
A rustic sage green kitchen with elegant vintage cabinetry, wooden countertops and neutral fixtures and handles.
How Much Weight Can Floating Shelves Hold?
The next thing you want to take into consideration is the weight capacity of your shelving. This is especially important if you are storing dishes and other heavy items on them. Retail shelves all list their weight capacity, and installation into studs is vital to support a heavy load. Make sure you check the weight capacity of the shelving you buy so you know what you can realistically use your shelving to display.
A slate blue kitchen with lower cabinets and an open shelf with decor, a neutral stone backsplash and countertops and a stone kitchen island.
A sleek walnut kitchen with a Scandinavian design, a white tile backsplash and countertops plus touches of gold.
A sophisticated navy kitchen with shaker cabinets, a white marble backsplash, countertops and a ledge for displaying various stuff.
A sophisticated navy kitchen with shaker cabinets, open shelves for storage, white marble countertops and a backsplash and artwork.
A stylish farmhouse kitchen in teal, with butcherblock countertops, a white backsplash and gold fixtures.
A stylish modern kitchen with stained cabinets and drawers, a large kitchen island, an open shelf for displaying and greenery.
Hunter green cabinets give this kitchen a vintage feel. The white marble backsplash adds elegance. A shelf with artworks enhances the chic style.
A white farmhouse kitchen with concrete countertops, black handles, rich-stained open shelves and appliances is very cool.
A white kitchen with shaker and flat panel cabinets, white open shelving, white subway tiles and a large kitchen island.
A white kitchen with shaker cabinets, white stone countertops, white subway tiles and open shelving instead of upper cabinets plus black sconces.
A white minimalist kitchen with sleek cabinets, concrete countertops,open shelves instead of upper cabinets, stainless steel appliances.
An airy neutral kitchen with stained cabinets, stained open shelves, a curved kitchen island, a white hood.
An elegant navy kitchen with shaker cabinets, white stone countertops, a large kitchen island, a white square tile backsplash and a white shelf for dishes.
An ultra-modern white kitchen with butcherblock countertops and a printed rug looks bold and cool.
Dark-stained wood and white cabinets, open white shelves and a white hood, a large kitchen island with gold stools and pendant lamps.