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Kitchen Shelving Ideas

This collection of kitchen shelving ideas details creative ways to store and showcase everyday essentials and decorative items upon walls for a decorative approach that adds visual interest to a space. These kitchen shelf ideas are simple to replicate in any home, featuring many examples of creating practical and stylish storage. Whether the aim is getting organised, improving accessibility, or introducing personal design touches, kitchen shelves are a versatile and valuable addition to any cooking space. Introduce them to break up a bank of units or put them in place of cupboards to make walls appear less crowded. Read on to discover how to create a unique look that offers far more than an off-the-shelf style.

1. Racking Up Style Points

Keep crockery close in a plate rack to make serving dinner much simpler. This rustic solution will also protect dishes from cracks and chips.

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1. Racking up style points

The country aesthetic is enjoying a revival as more of us retreat to rural life or look to make a cosier living space. That means features like this practical plate storage are back in fashion – ensuring essential items are in easy reach while showing off the style of tableware. Made from oak, our racks can be sanded and painted to create a custom feature.

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2. Amazing Glazing

From glasses to cooking tools, make a display with glass-fronted units which offer statement storage, so it is easy to spot items inside.

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2. Amazing glazing

Glass doors elevate the luxe appeal of a room, drawing the eye to the objects stored inside. Shelves can also be illuminated with internal lighting for day-to-night style. Often used to break up a bank of solid units or as an understated alternative to a classic dresser, this design saves on cleaning too as it protects cupboard contents from dust.

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3. Dressed To Impress

Channel the trend for bespoke furniture with a custom-made dresser unit, painted in a bright hue that puts a playful spin on country charm.

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3. Dressed to impress

An icon of classic interiors, dressers are trending once more. A great addition to a dining area, this feature works well in the heart of the cooking space, as @littlebigbell has demonstrated. Her unit offers a handy spot to store glasses and mugs for evening drinks or morning coffees while providing an injection of colour thanks to its bright contents and pastel paintwork. To recreate this look, choose one of our paintable designs that can be customised in any shade.

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4. Industrial Influences

Draw out a deconstructed look with these steel shelf brackets. Featuring a minimal design in matt black, this fixture will bring an engineered style to any living area.

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4. Industrial Influence

Industrial decor is defined by simple forms, mixed textures, and metallic accents, making shelving a go-to for this look thanks to its deconstructed appeal. Using steel brackets will create a bold metal framework, which can be paired with matching panels for a striking, all-black look. Alternatively, recycle offcuts from a counter for a sustainable way to coordinate with the rest of the room.

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5. Glow Up

Accentuate shelving by fitting strip lights, which will draw the eye to the display while boosting illumination above a counter for easier dinner prep.

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5. Glow up

Easy to install for a quick room refresh, these flexible LED strips can be used almost anywhere, lifting dark corners and highlighting design features. @aaronhickton has added them to a simple wooden shelf to show off plants and trinkets stored above while creating leading lines that make the space appear bright and open. As dark falls, this simple lighting trick will set the mood for evening meals or entertaining.

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6. Synchronised Storage

Form a shelving unit using decor ends for a harmonious look. Made to match cupboard fronts, these panels continue the colour palette for a discreet addition.

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6. Synchronised storage

Finding creative tricks to customise a room is part of the fun of interior design. A clever example is how @thekerrshome has repurposed decor ends as shelves to extend their two-tone scheme. Commonly used to conceal the unfinished sides of a unit, this versatile product also makes a great shelf and can be cut to size to slot extra storage into any space, however slimline.

7. Simple And Sustainable

Recycle offcuts from counters to craft an affordable display for plants and pictures. This eco-friendly idea reduces waste and ties a room together.

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7. Simple and sustainable

When a work surface is cut to size, excess wood can be upcycled into shelves that match the design, saving money and reusing timber that may have been sent to landfill. Simply pair with brackets, like @house.of.fox has done, for a quick and easy addition to an empty wall. A low-cost feature, this salvage shelving provides a place to showcase accessories.

See solid wood worktops
8. Think Outside The Box

Spruce up an often-unused space by displaying ornaments and accessories on top of an extractor for a cooking area that is packed with personality.

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8.Think outside the box

Instead of fitting a stand-alone shelving unit to showcase knick-knacks, take inspiration from @kids.house.dogs and make the hood double-up as a storage spot. This idea works well with a T-box model thanks to its shelf-like shape. Decorating this device softens the stainless steel colour and sharp lines of the design, enhancing the homely feel of a room.

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9. A discreet display

Go for low-key shelving to bring subtle style to a minimal interior. Half-height, open units soften a run of solid cupboards while maintaining a less-is-more look.

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9. A discreet display

In a clean, modern scheme, keeping storage simple is key. This is what @the_wright_home have achieved in their sleek space, using shallow units with an open front to create an understated box shelf. A great way to accessorise a pared-back design with pops of colour and personality, this idea also works well as a spot to store kettles and coffee machines, freeing up workspace below.

See Wall Cabinets
10. Isle Of Style

From crockery to recipe books, add shelves to an island to keep everyday essentials stored nearby, ready for lunch dates, or dinner parties.

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10. Isle of style

The ultimate in multifunctional design, islands can incorporate shelving too, adding to the long list of benefits this feature has to offer. Whether used as a casual dining spot, home cocktail bar, or simply an extension of the chef’s space, built-in storage will ensure the counter remains free of clutter. Opt for an open shelf style to showcase the items housed here.

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11. A Vintage Idea

Transform the way tipples are stored with a bottle rack, which places dinner party drinks within close reach and is handy for chefs who often cook with wine.

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11. A vintage idea

A popular feature with lovers of reds which are best stored at room temperature, wine racks frees up space in other cupboards. As @smejoinery have shown, it can be neatly added to the end of a unit where the host can quickly grab a bottle to share with guests. Designed to match the colour and finish of the door fronts, these ready-made racks offer an easy way to mimic the look of bespoke storage.

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12. Access All Areas

Make wall units more accessible with a pull-down shelf that brings the contents of the cupboard down, ensuring packets and tins can be picked out safely.

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12.Access all areas

In multigenerational homes, features that make everyday tasks simpler for all are a must. Like this practical storage solution, which has an easy-grip handle that enables the two shelves to be pulled down, removing the need to stand on a stool or over-stretch when reaching for ingredients. With a lip to keep groceries in place, items will remain secure during use. Suitable for every age and stage of life, this shelving can be retrofitted into an existing design as the space adapts to changing needs.

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