• Projects
  • Design
  • Picks
  • Stories
  • Travel
  • Projects
      • Projects

      • Home Reveals
      • Get The Look
      • Before & After
      • View All
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.4
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.3
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.2
          • Home Reveal: Rancho P.1
  • Design
      • Design

      • Roundups
      • E-Design
      • Perfect Pairs
      • Design Tips
      • View All
          • The MGD Greige Paint Guide
          • Interior Insights: Window Treatments
          • Breakfast Nook E-Design
          • How To Pair Throw Pillows
  • Picks
      • Picks

      • Monthly Picks
      • Lifestyle Picks
      • Home Picks
      • View All
          • MGD Picks: August
          • The MGD Outdoor Pillow Roundup
          • The MGD Outdoor Furniture Roundup
          • The MGD Spring Decor Roundup
  • Stories
      • Stories

      • Creator Interviews
      • From Mindy
      • Friday Faves
      • View All
          • 2023 End of Year Recap
          • Creator Interview: Willow Crossley
          • Creator Interview: Sister Parish Design
          • The Best Advice For Aspiring Interior Designers
  • Travel
      • Travel

      • Travel Guides
      • Travel Inspiration
      • View All
          • MGD Guide: Ojai
          • MGD Guide: Santa Ynez Area
          • MGD Guide: Telluride
          • MGD Guide: Park City
Shop
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Inquire
  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Inquire
  • Blog
Mindy Gayer Balboa Island Image

Design, Design Tips

How To Style Open Kitchen Shelving

Design
September 6, 2021

Open shelving can be so beautiful in a kitchen space. However, it can easily become cluttered, especially if you’re using it as storage for dishes and serveware! Today on the blog, we’re sharing our tips on how to style open kitchen shelving, along with a designer-approved combo to shop for your space. So, whether you already have open shelves or are considering adding them in an upcoming kitchen remodel, keep reading and you’ll be well on your way to a perfectly styled space!

Marigold Project Image

#MGDxMarigold



5 Tips For Styling Open Kitchen Shelving

#1: Play with texture.

The most important thing to remember when styling open kitchen shelves is to play with texture. When we’re styling, we love to mix textures. Don’t be afraid of using all the things! Include ceramics, glass, wood, rattan, and more for a collected feel.

#2: Start with a base object.

When styling a kitchen shelf, always always start with a base object. Think cutting boards, serving bowls, or an art print. If you missed our blog post on how to style a shelf in general, you’ll remember what we mentioned about starting with your larger objects first and adding in layers from there.

#3: The more layers the better.

Speaking of layers… They’re your best friend! Nothing is sexier than stacked bowls, plates, cookbooks, and even glasses. Layers allow you to add height, which is so important.

#4: Add color with fruit.

For a pop of color, try using fruit! A few red onions or pears in a bowl can add a fun pop of color while still allowing you to keep your base objects neutral.

#5: Use the zig-zag technique.

Another tried and true tip that you’ll recognize from one of our previous styling posts! The zig-zag technique just refers to arranging your shelves in a way that causes the viewer’s eyes to dart back and forth as they take in your vignette. This brings balance to shelf styling in such a pretty way.

Shop Our Combo
↓

Cookbook / Shop
Latte Bowl / Shop
Pitcher / Shop
Crock / Shop
Dinner Plate / Shop
Colander / Shop
Glasses / Shop
Butler Mill / Shop
Cookbook / Shop
Column Mill / Shop
Art Print / Shop
Cutting Board / Shop
Cookbook / Shop
Bowl / Shop
Spoon / Shop



There you have it – How we style open kitchen shelving in our projects! The main key to keep in mind is that you want your shelves to be beautiful, but also functional. There’s no such thing as too much storage in a kitchen space, so get creative and put your prettiest pieces on display. For more of our kitchenware favorites, head to our affiliate shop! Thanks for following along.

SHARE THIS POST
IMAGES / Vanessa Lentine
Comments (0)
Back
Next
Shop MGD Picks
  • Pillows

  • Kitchen

  • Lighting

  • Furniture

  • Decor

  • Shop All

BY

A residential design studio specializing in remodels and new builds.
Visit Us

Other Stories

  1. How To Style A Shelf

    Design
  2. Our Favorite Styling Books

    Picks
  3. Windward Paint Color Guide

    Projects
  4. Styling Books to Keep on Hand

    Home Picks

The Studio

By

A residential design studio specializing
in remodels and new builds.

Visit Us

Join our Newsletter!

Receive all of the best inspo, tips, design resources, shopping guides, and more.

Thank you for subscribing!

Where the doors stay open, and where family and fr Where the doors stay open, and where family and friends gather from morning to night. 🤍
#mgdxpaseoclemente #mindygayerdesign { Images by: @vlentine, Architect: @brandonarchitects, Builder: @sayerandsons }
The kitchen that naturally became the heart of the The kitchen that naturally became the heart of the home. At #mgdxpaseoclemente, this space was designed for the rhythm of everyday life - morning breakfasts, after-school snacks, and evenings when friends gather around the island and stay a little longer than planned. Layered materials, warm finishes, and a palette that plays with contrast give the room depth while still feeling welcoming and relaxed. See more of the kitchen and pantry on Substack! #mindygayerdesign { Image by: @vlentine, Architect: @brandonarchitects, Builder: @sayerandsons }
Returning home to California after a work and fun- Returning home to California after a work and fun-filled week in Tennessee. Our TN-based design team has been pouring their hearts into our #mgdxwesthaven project over the past two years, and she is truly so, so beautiful! Sharing a few peeks at many of the special rooms in this bespoke home that is rooted in both tradition and southern charm. We’ll be photographing this beauty later in the spring and can’t wait to share more 🤍  #mindygayerdesign
Designed to feel calm, timeless, and restorative - Designed to feel calm, timeless, and restorative - the primary bath at #mgdxanita. 🤍 #mindygayerdesign { Image by: @vlentine }
  • Shop
  • MGD Picks
  • Projects
  • Amazon
  • Company
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Careers

(C) MINDY GAYER DESIGN CO., LLC 2026

  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Inquire
  • Blog
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Careers

(C) MINDY GAYER DESIGN CO., LLC 2026