22 Kitchens That Will Persuade You To Embrace Open Shelving

For a playful feel, mix open shelving and closed cabinetry in a modular fashion. For this kitchen, designer Andy Beers mixed open cubbies with splashes of red to allow the homeowner's blue midcentury tableware collection to anchor the space.

Employ columns of open shelving to highlight a standout feature in your kitchen and display beloved ceramics. In this Florida kitchen, designer Lauren Liess used symmetrical open shelving and repetitive light fixtures to put the focus on the Jerusalem stone–clad chimney-style range hood.

In an English cottage designed by Elizabeth Hay, a single open shelf puts a collection of potted flowers on display. It's painted in Edward Bulmer Invisible Green to match the cabinets and nearby wall hutch, making the vibrant color pop in the airy kitchen.

Designer Mallory Kaye modernized this ranch house kitchen with a single level of white marble open shelving to match the backsplash and countertops. The look is kept clean with clear glasses and perfectly stacked dinnerware on top.

Embrace a lived-in look with a kitchen full of open shelving that hosts everything from dinnerware and cookware to art and decorative objects. Take inspiration from celebrity decorator Kathryn M. Ireland's own kitchen, which features plain white shelves infused with personality.

Create a cohesive look by installing open shelves and pendant lighting made of the same material. In the kitchen of this Napa Valley home, designers Marshall Watson and Mercedes Ganes opted for light wood shelving that flanks the range hood and imitates the custom pendant over the island. Not only does the combo warm up the space, but it creates a sense of intimacy.

If you want to display small treasures or favorite mugs in your kitchen, install an open shelf underneath closed cabinetry as the interior design firm BHDM did in this home. This way, you can still hide clutter while seeing your favorite pieces.

If you're not totally sold on open shelving, simply use a single row above your cooktop as a spice rack. For an extra-appealing display, pour all of your spices into matching containers like the ones in this kitchen designed by Studio DIAA.

Soften your kitchen while also adding character by carving out a niche with open shelves. In this kitchen by designer Steve Pallrand, the arched niche displays potted herbs and treasured decor—all of which liven up and add touches of warmth to the bright space.

A black-and-gold range like this one is all kinds of flash, so tone it down with rustic wood open shelves. They're minimal, so they don't detract from the obvious focal point of the kitchen.

See more at Amber Interiors.

If the exposed feel of open shelving freaks you out, limit yourself to one section of the walls in your kitchen. You can keep the rest of your items in the lower cabinets, so you aren't doing away with concealed storage for good, but you can experiment a little with going open.

See more at Lark & Linen.

Don't limit open shelves to stacks of kitchen essentials like bowls and cups. Dedicate a portion to cookbooks so you can easily see what's in your library and reach for the one you need when cooking.

See more at Nicole Franzen.

To dream up a kitchen fit for a chef, give it a utilitarian feel with steel accents, wood open shelving with distinct hardware, and unique pendant lights.

Opt for a sophisticated look with open shelving that features crown molding, like in this kitchen by designer Kelie Grosso. If you want an airy but soft feel, select a taupe color for the shelves, cabinetry, and island to tie the space together.

With open cabinetry you can create a playful contrast by painting the exterior and interior different colors, like the white and teal combination in this kitchen. It'll highlight your collection and help the items stand out from the wall.

If you have a small breakfast nook, don't cram it with heavy furniture. Instead, let open shelving function like a bureau to hold all of your serveware. Here, items in the same color or pattern are grouped together.

Anyone who wants to create the bright, airy kitchen of their dreams can easily play it up with simple open shelving. Cabinetry can make a kitchen feel heavy and dense, so consider forgoing upper cabinetry altogether.

This small kitchen has a slightly industrial feel with its exposed pipes and vented cabinets. If your kitchen boasts a similar look, try open shelves to maintain the exposed yet polished aesthetic.

Show off subway tiles that run up to the ceiling with open shelving. The horizontal lines pair together nicely. Bonus points if you go for a monochrome look, whether it's white, pink, or green.

Install a metal shelving unit for a sleek alternative to wood or painted open shelving. Whether you pick silver, brass, or gold, the storage solution will boost the overall glam in your kitchen.