Where, When, and Why to have Open Shelving

Open shelves are amazing. They make it easy to see and access items but can also serve as a place to showcase the things you love. I have open shelving in the kitchen as well as in the living room, office and even in the bathroom.

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For the kitchen, I store the items I use most frequently on the shelves, which include plates and glassware – items that we use about three times a day. In other areas, I suggest balancing the shelves with pieces such as vases, books, and picture frames. I also like adding different shapes and textures for added interest.


When styling your shelves, regardless of the space, you want them to have two things: uniformity and neatness. Let’s talk first about uniformity. Open shelves aren’t an invitation to just throw anything up there. You need to think about matching the other décor and colors in the room. For example, I bought plates and glassware that balance the look of my kitchen and are pretty to be shown out in the open. In the living room, I chose books in a similar style and color to keep a more uniform look. Just imagine, beautiful bound leather volumes …then one bright red, tattered paperback stuck in the middle of those gorgeous volumes. That red book is a jarring addition to what would otherwise have been an attractive display.


Neatness is critical, especially in spaces that guests are likely to see, so don’t overdo it. Cramming the open shelving with too many items is never an attractive look. In graphic design terms, white space on a page actually draws more attention to the words and images. The same applies to your shelves. Leaving a few open spaces so that the eyes can travel from item to item is the way to go.


Tip: when I said don’t go overboard, I also meant don’t go overboard with too much open shelving. Especially in the kitchen, you also need closed cabinets and shelves to hide the less-than-pretty items like pots, plastic cups, paper towels, garbage bags, and etc. In the living room, it's also great to have hidden storage to tuck away electronics, toys and extra blankets.

Lastly, I like to add touches of greenery and nature to my shelves, especially in my coastal home where gorgeous driftwood and shells offer a natural beachy look. The same applies to my mountain home, but there I tend to display pieces that reflect the high country feel such as cotton and antique wood pieces.

Here are a few places to pick up great open shelf items…

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Hardwood Floors & Rugs

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Creating Flow and Warmth in Open Concept Spaces