How to choose and design the perfect kitchen shelf

Pots and pans, cutlery, appliances, cooking trays, dishes - there's a lot of stuff that needs to go on kitchen shelves, and that's before you get to all the essentials in your pantry! Basically, you can never have enough kitchen storage space - so if you think you could use more organisation, you're in the right place. Basically, you can never have enough storage space in the kitchen - so if you think you could use a little more organisation, you're in the right place. Now is the time to free your household items from the back of the cupboard and make your shelves work harder. We have plenty of organisational inspiration, as well as lots of kitchen shelving ideas on how to make your kitchen really work for you.

How to choose your shelves

See what space you need

Much will depend on the size and layout of your kitchen, especially if you have some space constraints - if you are using a long, narrow space, edge-to-edge open kitchen shelving may help and will open up some shelf space. However, if you have a short area, you may want to consider high tower open shelving to give you some vertical space. Another thing to consider is - what do you want to put on the shelves? If you're storing things like plates, bowls and cups, you probably don't need very deep kitchen shelves. However, for items like cooking or serving dishes, cast iron utensils or mixing bowls, you may want to invest in some deeper, heavier kitchen shelves - depending on what your countertop is made of, it may be worth looking at solid materials like wood that can really hold some weight.

Open shelving versus closed shelving

The first decision you have to make is a big one - do you want open kitchen shelving or closed cabinets? Kitchen shelving with lids or doors allows you to keep things neatly tucked away and out of sight, avoiding kitchen clutter. Although this looks neat, it can lead to you searching through all the kitchen shelves for that one utensil that hasn't been used since last Christmas, which can be scary. On the other hand, open kitchen storage shelves look more modern and on-trend, allowing you to see your kitchen storage at a glance. Of course, open kitchen shelving doesn't have to be this one - one kitchen shelving idea we like takes a more balanced approach, with cupboards for practical but boring items and rows of open shelves for things you want to display, or the high-use items you reach for most often.

Match or contrast your kitchen style

Break up the space in your kitchen with open kitchen shelving in the same colour as your worktops or cabinets, without distracting you. This creates a calm, relaxed space and allows pretty items to take centre stage - if you like your kitchen shelves to look uniform and everything in the right place, this could be the right style for you. If the style of your home is a little bolder, the idea of thin minimalist kitchen shelves is a little different. Whether it's a dark treated wood against white underground tiles, or maybe even painting your shelves in a bright accent colour to contrast with your backsplash, some quirky kitchen shelving ideas can make a real statement and be a focal point in your kitchen.