Ready for a home makeover that will blow your mind? Open shelving is the surprise hero of interior design, and it’s all over social media. Let’s get into it.

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Minimalist Vibe Floating Kitchen Shelves

Wooden open shelves on a white tile backsplash above dark grey kitchen cabinets, with the shelves featuring decorative kitchen items, plants, and framed drawings.
@interiordesignnepal on Instagram

Open shelving in the kitchen isn’t just trendy; it’s transformative. In this first example, natural wood floating shelves pop against crisp white subway tiles, adding warmth and texture.

This setup is perfect for showcasing your favorite dishes, plants, and art, making your kitchen a personalized gallery. The dark cabinets below provide a striking contrast.

To recreate this look at home, choose sturdy wooden shelves that match your style and keep the display balanced yet eclectic. Mix functional items with decorative pieces.

Kitchen Organization Made Easy

Corner of a kitchen showing open shelves to the left with canisters full of ingredients and an open hanging basket with three compartments containing fruit on the right.
@the_lifeathome on Instagram

Floating shelves hold jars filled with pantry staples, making it easy to see what you have at a glance. Wire racks on the wall add a touch of industrial chic, perfect for storing fruits and veggies.

To get this look, install a couple of sturdy shelves and add some stylish jars for your dry goods. Use wall-mounted wire baskets to keep produce fresh and accessible.

To add a personal touch, mix in a few cookbooks and small decorative items like a framed print or a cutting board.

Rustic Charm Meets Functionality

Cozy cluttered kitchen featuring counters with open shelving beneath instead of cupboard space as the kitchen island.
@something.gray on Instagram

Create a cozy, rustic kitchen with open shelving that showcases your style and keeps everything within reach. Here, wooden shelves blend seamlessly with a farmhouse aesthetic.

The open shelving under the kitchen island is a clever way to store pots, pans, and baking dishes, making them easy to grab when you need them.

To achieve this look, use natural wood for a warm, inviting feel. Add potted plants and hang a garland or two for a touch of greenery and whimsy.

Entryway Elegance

White home entryway cupboard with open shelves, featuring bags, dog treats, some baskets, and rain boots.
@gravecollaborative on Instagram

This setup features a combination of cubbies and shelves, perfect for storing shoes, bags, and other essentials. The hooks on the wall keep coats and backpacks off the floor.

Overall, these open shelves create a clean and tidy look. Use baskets and bins on the shelves to keep smaller items neatly contained.

For a personalized touch, add decorative jars and some stylish storage solutions. A few hooks and a little DIY effort can make a big difference.

Maximizing Space

Beautiful kitchen with dark blue cabinets and refrigerator surround. On the side of the refrigerator surround facing towards the camera are open shelves with labeled canisters of spices and ingredients.
@april_mcghee_ on Instagram

Open shelving on the side of your cabinets can be a game-changer, especially in smaller kitchens. This setup uses wooden shelves to store pantry essentials.

The addition of hanging baskets for fresh produce adds a charming touch, while the dark cabinetry creates a striking contrast.

To recreate this look, mount a few sturdy shelves on the side of your cabinets and use uniform containers for a clean, organized appearance.

Suspended Open Shelving

Modern traditional kitchen with hanging open shelves hanging over the kitchen island.
@sullivanhomesstaging on Instagram

Bring a modern twist to your kitchen with suspended open shelving. This design combines beauty and functionality by hanging wooden shelves from the ceiling above the island.

Perfect for displaying baskets and glassware, it adds an eye-catching focal point to the room. The mix of materials—warm wood and sleek metal—creates a chic contrast.

To get this look, install sturdy hanging rods from the ceiling and attach wooden shelves. This setup is great for storing items you frequently use or want to showcase.

Cozy Kitchen Corners

Floating shelves being used in a kitchen corner. Light wooden cabinets to the left lead into the corner shelving on the right.
@popixdesigns on Instagram

A kitchen corner is the perfect spot to experiment with open shelving. This setup features sleek wooden shelves that blend seamlessly with the cabinets, creating a cozy nook.

It’s a great way to add character without committing to full open shelving. Style the shelves with a mix of decorative pieces and practical items, like bowls and cookbooks.

To achieve this look, choose shelves that match or complement your existing cabinetry. Keep the arrangement simple and balanced to avoid clutter.

Brighten Up Your Tiny Home

The long living space of a tiny home with open shelving lining one wall, acting as both storage and a countertop.
@unitedtinyhouse on Instagram

Long open shelving can make a tiny home feel airy and spacious. This design runs along the length of the kitchen, maximizing storage without overwhelming the space.

The wooden shelves beautifully frame the window, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. It’s perfect for displaying jars, kitchen essentials, and a few decorative items.

To recreate this look, install long, sturdy shelves that run parallel to your counters. Use clear jars and containers to keep items organized and visually light.

Create a Playful and Organized Kids’ Room

Open shelves in a child's room. Shelves are black metal and wood in a modern style, with toys, books, and pictures lining them.
@kesseboehmerindia on Instagram

Transform your kids’ room into a playful and organized haven with open shelving. This setup combines fun and functionality, featuring shelves that display books, toys, and decorative items.

The blend of wooden shelves and black metal brackets adds a modern touch while keeping the room airy and spacious.

A small desk area nestled among the shelves offers a perfect spot for homework or creative projects. To achieve this look, install shelves at various heights.

Bold Open Shelving

Modern white kitchen with a black-and-white mosaic back splash, wooden open floating shelves placed on the wall allow the backsplash to show through.
@cementtileshop on Instagram

This design pairs sleek wooden shelves with an eye-catching black and white patterned backdrop, creating a vibrant focal point.

The open shelves provide ample space to display colorful dishes and essentials, making it easy to grab what you need while adding a personal touch.

To achieve this look, choose a statement tile for your backsplash and install floating wooden shelves at varying heights.

Chic Living Room Storage

Minimal open cubby shelving next to a closet or pantry in a living room. The shelves are stocked with pillows, a few books, and a vase.
@freedom_wardrobes on Instagram

Add a chic touch to your living room with open shelving in your wardrobe. This setup combines sleek white cabinetry with warm wooden shelves.

The open shelves are perfect for displaying cozy pillows, decorative vases, and your favorite books, adding a personal touch to your space.

To recreate this look, integrate open shelving into your existing storage units. Arrange pillows and decorative items on the shelves to keep them easily accessible.

Let the Light In

Modern open shelves hanging from the ceiling in front of the windows, which look out onto a patio. Shelves contain kitchen items like bowls and pots.
@castlehomes on Instagram

Combine natural light and modern design with open shelving in your kitchen. This setup features sleek metal and wood shelves flanking a sunlit doorway, creating a stunning visual effect.

The open shelves allow light to flow freely, enhancing the space’s airy feel while providing practical storage for decorative bowls, jars, and plants.

To achieve this look, install open shelves on either side of a prominent window or door. To keep the display interesting, use a mix of functional and decorative items.

Elevate Baby Essentials

Aesthetically pleasing baby supplies, including multiple identical baby bottles, a sippy cup, and a toy, on open shelving.
@thevitamindproject on Instagram

Open shelving can make even baby essentials look beautiful. This setup showcases baby bottles and other necessities in a neat and visually appealing way.

By using open shelves, you’re encouraged to choose aesthetic items, transforming mundane necessities into a stylish display. Clear glass bottles and sleek designs add a touch of elegance.

To create this look, select baby essentials that are both practical and attractive. Arrange them on open shelves for easy access and a tidy appearance.

Transform Your Bathroom

Open shelving above a toilet on a blush pink wall in a bathroom, featuring several plants and a framed photo
@hunkerhome on Instagram

That blank wall in the bathroom is perfect for open shelving. Adding floating shelves creates a stylish space to display plants, decor, and essentials.

The natural wood shelves contrast beautifully with the soft pink wall and marble accents. To get this look, install a few wooden floating shelves above your toilet or sink.

Choose decorative items like small potted plants, framed art, and elegant containers for everyday essentials. It’s a simple DIY project that makes a big impact.

Combine Beauty and Function

White open shelving with various canisters containing pasta and spices, as well as a white old-fashioned teapot.
@davia_at_home on Instagram

Open shelving in the kitchen doesn’t have to be daunting. By using pretty containers for everyday items, you can make your space both functional and beautiful.

Store your most-used spices, oils, and dry goods in stylish jars and bottles. The shelves become a curated display of essentials, with items like a charming tea kettle.

To achieve this look, choose attractive containers for your kitchen staples and arrange them on open shelves above your stove or counter.

Showcase Your Style

White dresser with open shelving on the top, displaying a row of designer bags, jackets, shoes, and shopping bags
@my_full_house on Instagram

Open shelving can turn your wardrobe into a stylish display. This setup features sleek white shelves and drawers, perfect for organizing and showcasing your favorite clothes, shoes, and accessories.

The open design encourages you to curate your wardrobe with care, highlighting your most treasured items. To achieve this look, install modular shelving units.

Arrange your clothes and accessories neatly, using boxes and baskets to keep smaller items organized. Choose a cohesive color palette to create a polished and visually appealing display.

Make Your Laundry Room Feel Bigger

Modern laundry room with open shelving above the washer and dryer, featuring a plant, several canisters, and a metal container labeled "Laundry"
@wholeheartedfarmhouse on Instagram

Open shelving can transform a cramped laundry room into a spacious, inviting area. By replacing upper cabinets with open shelves, you create an airy feel.

This setup features clean white shelves that blend seamlessly with the walls, adorned with stylish storage jars, baskets, and decorative pieces.

To achieve this look, remove bulky cabinets and install sturdy, open shelves above your washer and dryer. Use matching jars and containers for laundry supplies.

Add a Splash of Color with Open Kitchen Shelving

Colorful trinkets and dishes on open shelves on a kitchen wall above a teal tile backsplash
@thejungalow on Instagram

Open shelving is perfect for showcasing your colorful kitchen treasures. This vibrant setup features rustic wooden shelves against a stunning emerald green tile backsplash.

The shelves are filled with colorful mugs, bowls, and planters, creating a lively and inviting display. To achieve this look, install open shelves above your counter or stove.

Choose vibrant, mismatched items that bring joy and personality to your kitchen. Incorporate plants and decorative baskets to add texture and life.

Show Off Your Knick-Knacks

Open shelving on a white wall featuring an eclectic mix of personal belongings, dishes, and trinkets
@a_story_in_a_square on Instagram

Open shelving is a fantastic way to glam up your kitchen without breaking the bank. This setup features sturdy wooden shelves filled with a mix of vintage finds.

It’s perfect for renters who want to add personality and style to their space without permanent changes. To achieve this look, install simple wooden shelves.

Use them to display your favorite kitchen items. Mix practical pieces like jars and bowls with decorative accents like vintage signs and figurines.

Create a Stylish Contrast

Beautiful modern kitchen with moss green cupboards featuring open cubby shelving on the counter end
@ottawaathomemag on Instagram

Combine open shelving with closed-in storage for a kitchen that’s both practical and eye-catching. This design features beautiful green cabinets paired with rustic wooden shelves.

The hexagonal tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, tying the whole look together. To recreate this design, use a mix of cabinetry and open shelves.

Display your favorite dishes, plants, and decorative items on the open shelves, while using cabinets to hide away less attractive necessities.