How To Achieve Gorgeously Organized Open Kitchen Shelves
Avoid clutter and create an eye-catching display
Gone are the days when homeowners simply stick to cabinets, drawers, and bins when storing essentials in the kitchen. Nowadays, niches, open shelves, and perfectly concealed pantries have taken over cooking areas. Those who wish to have a bright and homey kitchen explore the many ways of incorporating open shelving into their space. Going for these shelves seems like a good option if you want to maximize the available vertical space while keeping your supplies within reach.
However, not regularly cleaning and organizing these storage nooks may result in an eyesore. “Open shelves are meant to store items and at the same time, display them. Avoid stacking your items and space them out evenly for a more organized and aesthetically pleasing look,” shares interior designer Peaches de Guzman-Grey. Achieve an IG-worthy shelf in your cooking area with these handy hints.
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Arrange your items according to need and not by item.
How often do you use condiments and other powdered ingredients? If you use these on a daily basis, make sure these are placed in front. “We do three things in the kitchen: prepare, cook, and serve. It is best to zone out your shelves according to these categories,” shares Peaches.
Depending on the number of shelves you have, you can allot one compartment for each task, this way you know where to get and return the items you used. You can also place the essentials you often use on the lowest shelf for convenience.
Avoid placing everything in one shelf.
One cause of clutter is not having enough storage for your belongings. Given the number of shelves you have, pick the ones you need to be on display. Keep boxes of cereals, condiment bottles, and canned goods in your pantry. Regularly check your shelves for expired items and things you don’t often use. Utensils, small boxes, and other catchalls can be kept inside drawers and cabinets.
Consider displaying big items.
“Too many small items look insignificant and cluttered,” says the designer. Big jars, small appliances, and pretty plates can liven up your shelves. Powdered ingredients like flour, sugar, and grains can be kept in mason jars and displayed on your shelf. Other small items can be placed in mini woven baskets which you can also showcase as part of a vignette.
Opt for a simple color palette.
Depending on the look of your cooking area, your shelves need to keep within the theme. “You can stick with white or clear glass,” Peaches suggests. As an option, you can also explore the wonders of wooden shelves. You can have slim ledges and open shelves alternating with your cabinets—the former allows you to showcase pictures and books while the latter lets you display some of your favorite small appliances—as seen in one of our featured homes above.
For an industrial look, you can work with wood, metal, and pipes. These materials can be used in crafting unique shelves for your space.
Follow @dekko.ph on Instagram to get started on your customized shelf.
Treat your shelf like a gallery.
Don’t just fill your shelves with food items, jars, and bins as you can use it to showcase photos of your favorite dish, a framed recipe, and other accents. Paintings, prints, and collections can add character to your cooking nook and make it more personalized.
Don’t forget to put things back where they belong.
Breeze through tasks by knowing where to find what you need. If you group your items by task or category, you can get things done faster, plus returning each to its original spot will be easier as well. Regularly dust your shelf and make sure everything’s in order to avoid a cluttered look.
For inquiries and additional questions, you can get in touch with interior designer Peaches de Guzman-Grey through e-mail at designsgrey[at]gmail.com or mobile at (0920) 928-0508.
