How to style open kitchen shelving

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The awkward corner at the end of our kitchen has always been difficult one to style. I’ve never quite known what to do with it. This part of the kitchen has seen quite a few reincarnations to say the least, and I’ve never been fully happy with it.

However with the new kitchen being installed, it was a great opportunity to have a revamp and I settled on the idea of some open shelving to fill this space.


Where the shelves are from

After lots and lots of searching, I found a company online called Pipe Dream Furniture that supply reclaimed scaffold boards cut to size (perfect for people who, like me, don’t own the power tools needed!). The shelves came sanded and stain too, and feel really sturdy. 

If you’ve got a builders yard nearby to you though, you can pick up scaffold boards for fairly cheaply, and treat them yourself.

Mine are stained in a Medium Oak shade, and I ordered them in length 190cm, and 19.5cm deep. I also got the brackets from them too.

I'm so happy with the way they fill this space. They look so simple but provide lots of opportunities for my favourite part: accessorising.


Where all the accessories are from

Over the past few years I’ve been collecting some nice bits and bobs, which are perfect for these shelves, but I’ve, of course, treated myself to a few new bits too...


Bottom shelf

My favourite piece is the vintage scales, which was handed down to me by my Mum. I love the fact that they were in my mums kitchen when I was little, and now live in mine.

Working outwards, I’ve added small groups of two or three items gathered together to create lots of interest. 

To the left of the scales I’ve added this lovely white ruffle bowl from Just So Interiors. 

Beside that is a tall storage jar filled with spaghetti, a small wooden chopping board from H&M, a faux plant in a terracotta pot from Habitat and cute lemon squeezer. 

I’ve gathered these all together on a book about cocktails I found in Sainsbury’s. I deliberately chose this particular book as it was also white coloured, so complimented the rest of the accessories. 

On the other end of the shelf I’ve popped my favourite Emma Bridgewater jug, in which I’ve added some dried wheat. 

There’s also another faux plant in a similar style terracotta pot, again from Habitat. I’ve also added a chopping board propped against the wall, and some vintage stoneware ink wells I found on eBay.

Top shelf

In the centre of the top shelf is a ceramic hen storage pot, which I’ve had for a few years. I’ve teamed it with a wire cake stand I bought from Garden Trading a few years ago. 

To the left of those bits is a wooden vase from Habitat, some terracotta vases from Nkuku and another chopping board, this time from B&M. 

On the other end of the shelf is a small and large lidded ceramic storage jars, both from Just So Interiors, plus another faux plant, small glass candle holder I got from H&M a few years ago, and a brass coffee jar. 

Underneath the shelves 

I’ve also added a rail under the shelves, from which I’ve hung some coffee mugs on brass hooks. 

The mugs are from H&M, and the rail and hooks were from an independent online shop called Little Deer a couple of years ago. 

On the breakfast bar I’ve also added some other accessories such as Bloom & Wild dried flowers in a vase I found on eBay, a large pizza serving board which was from B&M, and wooden utensils in a bargain pot I found in the Primark Home sale. I’ve also added some more dried wheat in an urn from Asda. 

To the side of the breakfast bar I’ve added some more storage with a wooden hanger. From this I’ve hung tea towels and a small basket, which is home to baby essentials such as wipes, some toys and bibs. 

My top tips for styling shelves

Choose a couple of complimentary colours and stick to them across all your items. This will keep things looking neat. I’ve gone with mainly white or terracotta coloured items, but any two or three shades will work. Too many different shades can distract the eye and make things look ‘messy’.

When styling start by adding a larger or special focal item in the centre and work outwards either side. My focal item is my scales, which was my starting point for styling the whole shelves. 

When styling long shelves like this I like to keep things looking as symmetrical as possible, adding the same number of items either end of the shelf. 

Add some height with taller items contrasted against shorter bits. Placing items on books is a really easy way to achieve this.

Gather items up in groups of three, as this is more pleasing to the eye. You can collect these groups of items together on a book/tray/plate too. 

Add some texture by using lots of different materials. I’ve done this through wood, wicker and greenery with my faux plants. 

Leave some space on your shelves too. This is easily done by adding gaps between your groups of items, which will ensure things don’t look too cluttered. 

I’m so happy with how these shelves have turned out, and the best thing is I can change and update them as time goes on - I’m already thinking about adding some sparkly fairy lights and decorations at Christmas...

Thanks for reading,

Sam Xx

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