How to Style Kitchen Shelves - Creating Beautiful, Everyday Displays
Interior Styling Blog for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration
Hi, I’m Sandra, this blog is about interior styling for real homes. If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together, yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be sharing styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events to colour stories - so you get the full picture.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
In today’s post, I’m looking at different types of kitchen shelves, how they have been styled, and the kitchen essentials and home decor that make a gorgeous display.
Photo credit: Armac Martin
I always have shelving in my kitchen, as I prefer it to high-level cabinetry - no matter how striking the cupboards are. When cabinetry is all in the same wood tone or colour, bop top and bottom, it can bring the room in, whereas shelves open it up, making what can be a utilitarian room feel more interesting and lived-in. The layout enhances the sense of light, space, and movement in a kitchen, and when styled well, shelves are a real feast for the eyes, bringing in colour, texture, shape, height, and, of course, greenery. Kitchen shelves are also the place to display all sorts of gorgeous pieces, from vintage finds to everyday kitchen essentials like attractive jars filled cookies, tea or spices. And you can also add the unexpected, like a frame with a print, painting, or a small chalkboard.
Throughout this article, you will see that I’ve included a whole mix of kitchen shelves. The one thing that links them is that they are never an afterthought. I’ll show you all sorts, from single planks to metallic, floating, and vintage shelves, as well as painted and timber shelves that match the cabinetry and my own black metal staggered shelves. If you want to look at stylish shelf ideas for other rooms in your home, you might like to read my shelf styling ideas article.
Create separate vignettes
I like to think of shelf styling as separate creating vignettes. As with the rustic-style wooden shelves shown here with beautiful brass brackets by Armac Martin, which alone add character to the kitchen, the shelves have been styled in vignettes. This is the perfect example - not only of vignette styling, but also of what to style with. There’s the ideal mix of different textures and patinas, like brass contrasted with wood, as well as nature and greenery with plants. Although odd numbers work in styling, it’s a good idea to mix the number of items on display, as shown here. Don’t make the vignettes too even with, for example, just groups of threes across the whole shelf, as it’s often the irregularities that make a display more appealing. Other shelf styling tips include varying heights and adding a tall vase or framed picture to create height. The shelves shown here also demonstrate another styling trick: stacking your cookery books rather than displaying them upright, and also placing stylish items on top of the books. Another tip is to add herbs or some form of greenery to at least one of your vignettes, whether it’s on the shelves or the worktop beneath. Finally, notice how there is space between each of the three vignettes on the shelves, allowing them to breathe and not feel too cluttered.
Include the kitchen worktop as part of your display.
The kitchen worktop beneath the shelves is just as integral a part of the styling as the shelves themselves, as shown above. The display begins with two of my favourite vintage kitchen items - brass salt and pepper mills. These are positioned alongside a small wooden breadboard which, with its aged patina, adds contrast and overlaps framed artwork which has a culinary theme. On the upper shelf, a book is topped with a plant in a ceramic pot, while below, two Le Marke oil and balsamic vinegar bottles sit alongside an earthenware dish, a stack of books topped with a vintage pestle and mortar, and a scented candle in a jar. You will see how styling the countertop enhances the overall display in the kitchens featured in this article.
Ideas of items to style your kitchen shelves with
Kitchen Items: Wooden chopping boards, either vintage or with an interesting patina, attractive or vintage pestle and mortar, vintage-style brass salt and pepper mills or other models in interesting colours and shapes
Tableware: Plates, mugs, bowls, jugs, or other ceramics in various textures. Hand-blown or earthenware style are ideal.
Glassware: Oil bottles and attractive jars with anything food-wise such as cookies, spices, or preserved food.
Decorative pieces: Vessels and candles sticks in interesting stones such as marble, travertine or limestone, scented candles in glass jars.
Plants and herbs: Trailing plants, succulents, potted herbs such as parsley, basil and coriander that you can also use when cooking.
Books: Hardback cookery books, books on wine or cocktails, with spines that are in the colours of other pieces you are displaying.
Art: Framed art, ideally botanical or culinary. Sculptures that relate to the kitchen, cooking and food.
Artefacts: Shells, fossils, small blackboards, signs and anything else that means something to you and works well on the shelves.
Photo credit: Olive & Barr
Different styles of shelves for the kitchen
Here is a list of the shelves that are featured in this article from rustic timeworn wooden shelves with brackets, to painted and floating shelves. The shelves in the image here are painted to match the stunning kitchen cabintery by Olive & Barr. As well as being styled beautifully, they have brass brackets which pair with the tap and lights.
Vintage wood shelves
White Ikea-style shelves
Painted shelves
Ledge shelves
Shelves with a hanging rail
Marble shelves
Metallic shelves
Curved wooden shelves
Different types of kitchen shelves
The way shelves are fixed can make a difference to the look of your kitchen. If you are just adding shelves to an existing kitchen, depending on the construction of your wall, you can use floating shelves or brackets. However, if you are renovating, you could opt for recessed or built-in shelves. I have shelves with brackets as well as floating shelves and like the look of both.
Floating shelves: Floating shelves have become popular as you only see the shelf without any form of bracket, as they are attached to the wall by a pole situated in the back of the shelf.
Shelves with brackets: Brackets can add charm and character to a kitchen and are probably the easiest to fix. There are now many attractive brackets to choose from, including aged brass or black metal.
Recessed and built-in shelves: These can be part of the architecture of the kitchen and look stunning when custom-made in concrete, for example. You can also hang shelves in a recessed cubby hole or between cabinets, where you would place the planks to fit from side to side.
Photo credit: Husk I Photographer Brett Charles
Keeping your shelves clutter-free for a more stylish look
Before styling shelves, or in fact any surface, one of the most important aspects is to keep them uncluttered. You will see from the shelf shown above in this stunning kitchen by Husk, that styling with just a few pieces can look calm and serene. Displayed on the shelf are a contemporary vase with grasses to give height, a wooden pear, wine and water glasses, as well as attractive jars with preserves. Notice how there is plenty of space between each set of items.
I asked Laura Williams, a professional home organiser and decluttering expert and founder of OrganisedWell, for her tips on keeping shelves uncluttered. “An essential first step when styling kitchen shelves is to declutter those unloved and unused items. A beautifully styled space makes use of negative space as much as the objects on display, so less is definitely more,” Laura explains.
“I’d suggest removing everything from the shelves and keeping only those items that you love to see and use,” continues Laura. “Donate or sell the excess. Use the lower shelves for items you need to access often and store items you use less often on less accessible shelves or away in cupboards.” Laura works with busy families in the UK to help them create calmer, more organised homes. When she’s not providing practical support in person or via virtual sessions, she shares home organising ideas, tips and inspiration. https://organisedwell.co.uk/declutterchallenge
Vintage brackets and time-worn timber shelves
These shelves and the items displayed are vintage from top to bottom, including the decorative brackets which are worn, rustic and full of charm. Homeowner and interior stylist Claire Southcombe-Holmes found the brackets in her local vintage store. We styled and photographed the kitchen for Coast magazine, and it also went on to feature in two other magazines, which shows just how appealing vintage can be.
Styling items: Starting at the top, another of Claire’s vintage finds is two R. White’s wooden crates which set the tone straight away, bringing in colour and nostalgia. On the shelf below, glass jars filled with cookies sit alongside copper pans, a gorgeous trailing plant and a handwritten menu board, creating a mix that feels stylish and homely. To complete the vintage look, two aged chopping boards and a vintage cheese cutter sit beneath, balancing the shelves beautifully.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
A shelf with a hanging rail
Underneath a shelf is the perfect place for a hanging rail ideal to display attractive pans and utensils, like the rail shown here in this beautiful bespoke Shaker kitchen by Higham Furniture. This hanging rail has been styled in a considered way with copper pans and baskets brimming with herbs. The countertop, splashback and shelving are all 30mm thick Misty Carrara Satinato quartz, which provides a perfect backdrop for the stylish pieces on display.
Styling items: The first vignette on the left of the shelf has a wicker tray at the back for height and natural texture, paired with two ceramic jugs and a candle holder right at the front. The middle grouping brings in an antique touch with a gilt framed painting and a plant which sits on top of stacked cookery books. Next in line are two pots with succulents in varying heights, proving that even numbers can also work well on shelves.
Photo credit: Higham Furniture | Photographer: Paul Craig
Stylish metallic kitchen shelving
If you’ve read my blog post on stylish interior elements to elevate your home, you’ll know that I believe most interior schemes can benefit from something metallic, which has been brought into this striking contemporary kitchen by Wood Works Brighton with brass shelving and detailing in the cabinetry. This is an unexpected but stunning way to bring in something with sheen and, in addition, the shelving has been carefully considered as an integral part of the design, rather than feeling like an afterthought. The clean brass lines set against the slatted wood backdrop almost become architectural, proving that shelving can be a design statement.
Styling pieces: The styling has been kept to a minimum with just three potted plants on the shelf so as not to distract from the fluted wall with decorative flowers. On the worktop, two wooden chopping boards are paired with a black vessel, while a green earthenware pot with utensils echoes the green of the plants and the marble.
Photo credit: Wood Works Brighton
Coloured shelves matching the kitchen cabinetry
Coloured shelves work particularly well when matched with the same colour cabinetry as it instantly brings a cohesive feel to the kitchen. The slim profile of the shelves is reintroduced in the design of the kitchen, which is The Hampton by Harvey Jones, a contemporary take on an original Shaker kitchen.
Styling items: The shelves have a very interesting mix of utilitarian items, including a small dustpan, wooden scrubbing brushes, a pile of hand towels, a kitchen spray, and a glass vase with dishwasher tablets. It just shows that you can make even the most mundane items look attractive in the right vessel. There are also decorative items, including a plant in a pot which brings a deeper yellow to the scheme, alongside a green glass cloche and a basket for the hand towels.
Photo credit: Harvey Jones
White floating Ikea Shelves
These shelves were in the kitchen of my last house and are simple floating shelves from IKEA. As they are fairly plain, I needed to fill them with different textures, like the concrete pots, greenery and other pieces that are a little more special so your eye is drawn to the display. As a continuation, on the worktop I placed glass jars of cereals alongside herbs, two concrete apples and a "Danger Men Cooking" sign, which shows how shelves are an opportunity to bring personality into the kitchen with interesting artefacts.
Styling items: Concrete pots with plants, including succulents and trailing plants. I also displayed two white, ceramic jars of tea and a few quirky touches, like the concrete apples and a sculpture of a cow covered in tiny plates by a Dutch artist.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
Recessed ash plywood kitchen shelf
This slim ash-veneered shelf is made from the same birch plywood as the cabinetry shown here by Plykea. The shelf is a simple yet beautiful design detail above the hob, situated partially in a recess designed to fit IKEA MITTLED lights underneath. I love the way it’s been styled with the trailing ivy on the corner cascading down.
Styling items: Alongside the ivy, the styling is kept simple with salt and pepper mills to add height, a candle, and a marble bowl. On the countertop, a vintage chopping board adds texture and sits alongside a retro radio which, as well as being functional, is a great styling piece.
Photo credit: Plykea
Elegant picture ledge shelving
I have picture ledge shelving in my living room and display all sorts of items alongside framed art, but this is the first time I have seen them in a kitchen and they work perfectly. These dark wooden ledges look so distinctive next to the dark grey kitchen by Harvey Jones. Although subtle, they make a statement against the off-white wall, but don’t distract from the minimalist silhouettes of the cabinetry.
Styling items: The top ledge has been styled simply with a mini wooden chopping board next to a plant, while on the lower ledge there are two botanical framed artworks of varying heights. A wooden chopping board on the countertop introduces a lighter wooden tone to the kitchen, while the radio adds that retro touch. Finally, the herbs and flowers bring that essential touch of greenery and nature to what is essentially a monochrome scheme.
Photo credit: Harvey Jones
Curved shelving styled with coastal-themed plates
These shelves are built within a curved dining area, part of a classic bespoke kitchen designed and made by Searle & Taylor, which features curved banquette seating and a bespoke circular dining table. Each wooden shelf has been crafted in three separate sections to follow and envelop the curved wall, resulting in rather unique shelving.
Styling items: The key feature is the display of plates with a coastal theme in soft pastel colours, interspersed with cups and saucers, together with plants in white pots. Notice how the top shelf has been intentionally left empty, allowing your eye to be drawn directly to the display.
Photo credit: Searle & Taylor | Photographer: Paul Craig
Colourful and eclectic shelf styling
I love how these vibrant pieces from Rockett St George look so dramatic on a black shelf and against a black wall. Even if you don’t fancy a black wall, a black shelf can look super stylish, and whether you display natural textures like the wooden chopping board or colourful pieces, it's a great backdrop.
Styling items: The mix of unique kitchen items gives the shelf a considered yet eclectic feel, kicking off with the flamenco and oranges tray which, along with the chopping board, gives height and structure to the display. The green water jug, placed on top of two cookery books, adds more height. Notice how the display has almost been chosen in three colourways, with blues, oranges and greens, which creates a more cohesive and harmonious look.
Photo credit: Rockett St George
Simple single wall-to-wall shelf
This kitchen, with its extra-long wall-to-wall shelf, demonstrates that you don’t need to cram a shelf full of things to make it look good. The mix of everyday kitchen essentials, with just a few decorative touches, works so well on the Belgian Blue stone worktop, while keeping the shelf styling simple.
Styling items: A vintage bottle is followed by a row of six small glass dishes. A collection of items like this always works well when styling. Next are two Delft Blue plates, essential decorative pieces in every Dutch kitchen. Finally, an antique piece of kitchen equipment is displayed at the end. On the worktop, two chopping boards lean casually against the wall next to a plant and two tins, while an attractive food mixer and retro toaster are placed at the other end of the run, resulting in a practical but beautiful part of the kitchen.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
Metal kitchen shelves placed in a staggered design
These very slim black metal shelves caught my eye because of the brackets that are wrapped in rattan. They are simple but work really well, positioned in a staggered way. They are all the same size, and the way I achieved this look was to align the top and bottom shelves and place the centre of the middle shelf at the edge of the other two. You can do this with all sorts of shelves, but it works best in groups of three.
Styling items: As you will see from my floating shelves featured earlier, I am keen on greenery so have four different plants on the shelves, with the one that is hard to reach at the top being artificial. I have also woven in ceramic vessels, three glass pots with tea pouches, and plants in pots in light natural materials to pair with the bamboo fruit bowl.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
Shelving with a plate rack in a converted barn
This kitchen in a converted barn was featured in several magazines, including 25 Beautiful Homes and Seasons Wonen, which says a lot about its charm. In the kitchen, every section of shelving - the plate rack, the slate shelf above, and the shelf at the bottom of the rack - has been styled. The plate rack creates an orderly feel and is more practical than stylish, but the slate shelves above and below bring interest and greenery to the space, softening the industrial look and making it feel more lived-in.
Styling items: To add interest to the rack, we styled the bottom shelf with two jars, a plant in a rough ceramic pot, and a Philippe Starck lemon squeezer, which adds a subtle design element to the rustic scheme. On the top shelf, vintage teapots and green glass bottles are displayed, together with plants, while herbs, artichokes, and a pumpkin on the countertop made for attractive styling props during the photoshoot.
Photo credit: Sandra van aalst
Let’s sum up
I hope you have been inspired by a real mix of different shelves, all styled in a very individual way. The key takeaways are to think more about curating with carefully chosen pieces rather than cramming your shelves full of stuff.
Further reading: If you enjoyed this post, here are a couple of others you might like to read:
Shelf Styling Ideas - How to Decorate Different Types of Shelves
Interior Styling - What it is and How to Create a Beautiful, Cohesive Home
The Home Decor Essentials That Make a Room Look Finished - Home Decor Pieces to Style with
