This post shares how to decorate kitchen shelves, including how to decorate open shelves.
Open shelving in Kitchens has become so popular lately, and personally I’m all for it, but it can be overwhelming to figure out how to decorate Kitchen shelves!
Swapping out your upper cabinets for open shelves in the Kitchen can make the whole space feel lighter, bigger, and less like a utilitarian space and more like an extension of your home. This is especially important in homes with open floor plans where the Kitchen is just as much a part of the main living space as your Living Room is … like in our home!
When we remodeled the Kitchen in our 1970’s home a couple of years ago, it was important to me to have it feel like an extension of the Living Room, because it is pretty front and center when you walk in the front door. I wanted the color scheme to coordinate with our Living Room furniture, and wanted the cabinets to look more like built-in furniture pieces vs. typical Kitchen cabinets. Adding open shelving really elevated the look of the whole Kitchen and makes it feel more custom.
If you’re lucky enough to have open shelving in your kitchen, then you likely know it can be somewhat of a challenge to get the overall decor just right. Knowing how to decorate your kitchen shelves, how much to fill them in, and how often to switch things up can be confusing — even when you’re an interior designer.
There are several tried-and-true items that will always be kitchen shelf decor staples. Stacked plates, cookbooks, and potted plants are a few go-to items for the space. However, if you’re looking for some more unique ideas that will make a statement, consider this your personal guide on how to decorate kitchen shelves.
From faux plants and candlesticks to wooden bowls and bookends, here are 20+ ideas and shelf decorating tips for getting your kitchen style just right.
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How to Decorate Kitchen Shelves
Before you shop for Kitchen Shelf Decor items below, here are a few shelf styling tips to get you started:
- Completely clear off and clean your shelves before you begin! It makes it so much easier to think when you start with a clean slate.
- Start with your biggest items first (like large plants, vases, and serving bowls). Place them evenly spread apart so the shelves feel balanced. For example, if you are styling two shelves, place one large item towards the top left side and one large item towards the lower right side.
- Next, prop up some tall items, like books, frames, or cutting boards, against the wall to create a background.
- Lastly, add your smaller items, like candlesticks, glasses, bowls … you can group smaller items together in groups of three so they feel balanced with the larger items.
- Don’t forget to add in your functional items, like plates, bowls, and cutting boards! I’d say at least 50% of the items on our Kitchen shelves are normal Kitchen items that we use every day!
Find more tips HERE on How to Decorate Shelves!
Kitchen Shelf Decor Ideas
Below I’m sharing my favorite items to decorate Kitchen shelves with! Many of these items I currently have, and if I don’t they are definitely on my wishlist!
A well styled kitchen shelf boasts a healthy variety of items. Focus on decor pieces that vary in size, texture, and color to add visual interest and dimension to your shelves. If you’re trying to decorate open shelves, be mindful of the amount you’re placing on them as you don’t want things to look too crammed.
I’ve grouped the items in categories to make it easy for you to shop for your Kitchen shelf decor depending on what you need –
- Large Kitchen Decor Items
- Small Kitchen Decor Items
- Cookbooks, Cookbook Holders & Bookends
- Cutting Boards & Trays
- Art & Frames
- Plates, Bowls & Glassware
- Plants & Planters
Large Kitchen Decor Items
I typically prefer to decorate with a few large items, rather than multiple smaller items, because it can help the space feel less cluttered. Things like large vases, serving bowls, and stacked boxes or trays can take up space without looking messy and you can easily pull them down to use on your Kitchen counter or while hosting parties!
Adra Vase
Speckled Vase
Calle Vase
Reeded Bowl
Ceramic Wavy Vase
Phalangère Solid Wood Tray Set
Ayla Decorative Bowl
Grid Patterned Box
Cielo Cane Boxes Set
Small Kitchen Decor Items
You’ll want a variety of sizes and shapes on the shelves, so below are some small decor items to mix in with the larger items. You can use smaller items to fill in small gaps, group smaller items together, or place them on top of a stack of books to add some height.
Brass Taper Candle Holder
Antique Brass Taper Candle Holder
Cream Canister
Keir Basil Ceramic Vase
Cucina Olive Oil Cruet
Golden Oil Cruet
Round Leather Links
Decorative Wooden Beads
Handmade Terracotta Bead Decorative Garland
Cookbooks, Cookbook holders & bookends
Every Kitchen needs a good collection of cookbooks! There are so many cookbooks that will look great displayed on your shelves, and are of course functional in the Kitchen as well! Cookbooks look great stacked side-by-side, on top of each other, or lean one up against the back wall or backsplash! You can shop some of my favorites below, or check out your local thrift stores for some good deals!
Check out THIS POST for more cookbook ideas!
The Encyclopedia of Cookies
Half Baked Harvest Every Day
Boards & Spreads
Rainbow Bookends
Marble Bookends
Finlay Cookbook Holder
Wood Cookbook Holder with Metal Ledge
Cutting Boards & trays
I love to lean cutting boards and trays against the back wall and backsplash to create a background. This helps ground your decor, especially the smaller items. Group a variety of shapes and sizes together for a collected look!
Scalloped Teak Serving Board
Tondo Acacia 16.5″ Oval Platter
Wood Cutting Board
Havant Marble Tray
Rectangular Cutting Board
Cira Marble Tray
Bloomingville Marble Cutting Board
Kitchen Plates, Bowls, and Glassware
Sometimes the best decor items are things that are both functional and cute. Stacking bowls, plates, and glassware on your kitchen shelves is an easy way to gain more storage space while also doubling up on decor. These picks are all stylish enough to leave out, and they’ll be right within reach when you need them.
Stoneware Dinnerware
Acacia Bowl
Marin Low Bowl
Scallop Edge Pinch Bowls
Latte Cereal Bowls
Ribbed Stackable Cocktail Glasses
Cayman Glass
Twine Tulip Wine Glasses
Jupiter Every Day Glasses
PLANTS & PLANTERS
I add plants to every nook and corner that I can around my home! I love the look and texture, and live plants provide so many health benefits as well! The shelves in our Kitchen get a pretty good amount of natural light so I have a few varieties on them that are easy to take care of. Pothos are my favorites for shelves because they are hearty, don’t need a ton of light, and the vines look so pretty hanging down.
If live plants aren’t your thing, I’ve included some great looking faux options below! Even if you have a green thumb, fake plants can be a safer bet than real varieties on high shelves because they won’t need to be moved to be watered.
Add a splash of green, along with some interesting texture, with one of these faux plants.
Medium Ribbon Fern Leaf in Pot
Faux Trailing Variegated String Of Hearts Houseplant
Faux ZZ Plant
Provence Scalloped Edge Planters
Grecian Bust Pot
Fender Checkerboard Pot
Bergs Palace Pot
Art & frames
Art is another must for well styled shelf decor! Choose a mix of sizes and frame styles and prop them up against the wall, especially on the top shelf if you need to add some height!
Antique Floral Framed Canvas
Summer Pasture Framed Wall Art
Floral Arrangement Framed Wall Canvas
Matted 8″ x 10″ Gallery Frame
Antique Brass Wall Frame
18″ x 24″ B&W Layered Landscape Frame
Kitchen Shelf Decor Wrap up
Hopefully this guide was helpful if you’re trying to learn how to decorate kitchen shelving. I know firsthand that styling open shelving can feel quite intimidating.
It’s likely that you’ll tinker with the design as soon as you get done — you’re not alone! It’s truthfully an ongoing process, but you can make it fun by focusing on decor that’s in season.
If you’re still unsure of where to start, try moving decor items from other spots in your house to your open shelving. This will allow you to see if you like the feel and look of certain decor and it’s a great way to “stage” the space without committing to anything new.
Let me know if you end up using any of these ideas!
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This post was all about how to decorate kitchen shelving. Looking for more interior design inspiration? Start here:
- Kitchen Island Pendant Lights
- How to Style a Kitchen Like a Designer
- The Best Boho Bar Stools for Your Kitchen or Counter Space
- Easy and Functional Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen Counters
See my Disclosure here.
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