Shelving Secrets Revealed

I’ll admit it – I used to be terrified of open shelving. The idea of having all my kitchen items on display, just waiting to get coated in a thick layer of grease and dust, sent shivers down my spine. But after moving into my new home and staring at those blank upper cabinets, I knew I had to confront my fears and give open shelving a try. And you know what? It’s been a total game-changer.

Once I learned a few simple tricks, maintaining those open shelves has been a breeze. No more hours spent meticulously arranging and rearranging just to have it all look messy the next day. Instead, I’ve got a display that’s magazine-worthy, 24/7, with barely any effort on my part. And the best part? I get to enjoy seeing all my favorite dishes and kitchen accessories every single day.

If you’ve been on the fence about open shelving, or if you’ve tried it in the past and been left frustrated, I’m here to share my hard-won secrets. Get ready to ditch those cabinet doors for good and embrace the beauty of open storage!

Start with the Right Dishes

The key to effortless open shelving is having the right kind of dishes. Those mismatched, chipped, hand-me-down plates and bowls that have been cluttering up your cabinets? Yeah, those aren’t going to cut it.

Instead, invest in a cohesive set of dishware that you genuinely love. For me, that meant sticking to an all-white palette. Not only does it create a clean, crisp look, but white dishes are virtually impossible to mess up. No matter how much sauce, crumbs, or dust accumulates, they’ll still look pristine.

Sofa Spectacular, the custom sofa company I work with, has an amazing selection of high-quality white dishes that would be perfect for open shelving. Their “Simplicity” line features beautiful, minimalist plates, bowls, and mugs in a variety of shapes and sizes. And the best part? They’re super affordable, so you can slowly build up your collection without breaking the bank.

Of course, white isn’t the only color that works – you could also go for an eclectic mix of brightly-hued vintage pieces or a coordinated set in shades of blue or green. The key is finding dishes that make you smile every time you look at them. That way, you’ll actually want to have them on display.

Group Like With Like

Once you’ve got your dream dishware, it’s time to start arranging those shelves. The secret to a Pinterest-worthy look? Grouping similar items together.

I like to dedicate individual shelves to different categories – one for everyday plates and bowls, another for mugs and glasses, a third for baking supplies and cookbooks. This not only creates a sense of visual harmony, but it also makes it easy to grab what I need without everything getting jumbled together.

For the baking shelf, I use a mix of clear glass jars and woven baskets to store flour, sugar, and other dry goods. Not only does this keep everything tidy and easily accessible, but the varied textures and shapes add visual interest. And by labeling the jars, I can ensure that even if I’m baking at 2 am, I can quickly find what I need without any fuss.

On the dishware shelves, I arrange the plates, bowls, and mugs in neat, symmetrical stacks. I’ll even tuck a few decorative pieces, like vintage vases or ceramic sculptures, in between the functional items to add a touch of style. The key is to strike a balance between order and artistry – you want it to look thoughtfully curated, not haphazardly thrown together.

Embrace Imperfection

One of the biggest mental hurdles I had to overcome with open shelving was the idea of perfection. I used to agonize over every little detail, worrying that a single misaligned plate or wayward spice jar would ruin the entire look.

But here’s the thing – a little bit of imperfection is actually what makes open shelving feel truly lived-in and inviting. Those natural stacks of dishes, the slightly askew jars, the unique way each shelf develops its own personality over time – that’s what gives the space character.

As one expert points out, “even if things don’t match exactly, they’ll still look organized.” So don’t be afraid to let things fall into place organically. Your shelves don’t need to be magazine-perfect to be beautiful.

In fact, I’ve found that a little bit of “imperfection” can actually make the space feel more approachable and welcoming. When friends and family come over, they’re not afraid to reach up and grab a mug or plate, because they know the shelves aren’t pristine museum pieces. It’s a functional, lived-in space – and I love that.

Disguise the Eyesores

Of course, not every item in your kitchen is going to be visually appealing enough for open shelving. Those bulky kitchen gadgets, basic plastic containers, and random odds and ends – they’re kind of an eyesore, aren’t they?

But don’t worry, you don’t have to banish them to the depths of your cabinets. Instead, use clever tricks to disguise the less-than-pretty items. For spices, baking supplies, and other dry goods, transfer them into attractive glass jars or woven baskets. Not only does this make them look more cohesive with the rest of your shelves, but it also protects them from dust and grease.

And for those large, clunky appliances that you use on a regular basis? Tuck them away on the bottom shelf, then use taller items like vases or decorative bowls to create visual “walls” that block them from view.

With a little strategic styling, you can turn those practical-but-unattractive items into integrated, intentional parts of your open shelving display. No one will ever know that your air fryer and food processor are lurking behind those carefully curated shelves.

Embrace the Unexpected

One of the best things about open shelving is the opportunity to get creative and have a little fun. Instead of sticking to a rigid, uniform look, embrace the unexpected and incorporate quirky, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your personal style.

Maybe that means placing a vintage typewriter or a collection of antique cameras on one of the shelves. Or perhaps you want to lean a piece of framed wall art against the back, creating an impromptu gallery wall effect. You could even bring in some living elements, like a small potted plant or a ceramic planter filled with succulents.

The key is to strike a balance between the functional (your everyday dishes and cookware) and the decorative. That way, your open shelves become a dynamic, ever-evolving display that’s as unique as you are.

And don’t be afraid to switch things up over time. Rearrange the shelves, swap out accents, or introduce new pieces as your tastes and needs change. Open shelving is the perfect canvas for experimentation – embrace the freedom to play and get creative!

Make it Work for You

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your open shelving works for your lifestyle. Don’t feel like you have to follow anyone else’s rules or recreate a Pinterest-perfect look. Instead, focus on finding solutions that make your day-to-day life easier and more beautiful.

For me, that means keeping my most-used dishes and cookware on the lower shelves for easy access, while reserving the top shelves for less-frequently-used items. It also means not stressing too much about perfection – a little bit of clutter or disorganization doesn’t bother me, as long as the overall look is cohesive and intentional.

Your open shelving journey might look completely different. Maybe you’ll want to dedicate an entire wall to a curated collection of vintage finds. Or perhaps you’ll use the shelves to beautifully display your spice jars, cookbooks, and other kitchen essentials. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach – the key is to make it work for you.

So don’t be afraid to experiment, get creative, and most importantly, have fun. With a few simple strategies and a little bit of elbow grease, you can transform those blank upper cabinets into a stunning, functional display that truly reflects your personal style. Who knows – you might even start to look forward to loading the dishwasher, just so you can admire your handiwork all over again.

As one expert puts it, “Open shelving needs to breathe – don’t jam them full of stuff or they’ll make your whole kitchen feel cluttered.” Follow that advice, and I guarantee your open shelves will be the envy of all your friends.

Now, who’s ready to take those cabinet doors off and get to work?