Open shelving in pantries can look stylish and organized with some simple tweaks. Here are 20 ideas to help make your open pantry shelving look its best:
Use Bins and Baskets
Using bins and baskets is an easy way to corral like items and prevent a cluttered look. Opt for baskets in natural fibers like rattan or wicker for a light and airy aesthetic. Clear plastic bins work well for containing snacks, canned goods, and other food items.
Categorize with Shelf Liners
Line shelves with decorative paper, fabric, or shelf liner to instantly categorize types of food. Try a burlap liner for your baking supplies shelf, black and white checkerboard for snacks, and floral for teas and coffees. This makes it easy to put items away properly.
Employ Risers
Use risers or small shelves within your shelving unit to create tiered levels. Having different heights adds visual interest and allows you to neatly stack cans, jars, boxes, and other items. Opt for sleek metal risers.
Install Lighting
Properly illuminating your open shelves is key. Under-cabinet lighting directly brightens the shelves, while accent lighting above casts a soft glow. LED strip lighting attached to shelves works well too. This ensures you can easily see what’s stored.
Maximize Vertical Space
Take advantage of vertical space by installing extra shelving and racks on the walls surrounding the pantry. Mount spice racks, knife blocks, pan racks and paper towel holders nearby to free up shelf space. Dedicate an entire wall to open shelving to gain even more capacity if needed.
Use Decorative Storage
Incorporate boxes, canisters, baskets and other decorative storage containers to add color and style. For a cohesive look, opt for pieces in the same color family or material. Clear glass and metal containers add brightness.
Keep it Simple
Skip cluttered knickknacks and decor and opt for a streamlined, minimalist look. This prevents your open shelving from appearing too busy. Limit decorative items to just a few pops of color with dishes, canisters or artwork.
Organize by Color
Create a visually pleasing palette by organizing items by color. Group together blue glass jars, red cans, and yellow boxes. Or organize by container color instead of food type. This looks clean and colorful.
Dimensionalize with Boards
Break up flat shelving by placing wooden cutting boards and breadboards vertically between items. The wood grain and warm tone add depth and dimension. Stack a few cheese boards together on a shelf for the same effect.
Utilize Turntables
Spinning turntables or lazy susans maximize shelf space while also displaying items beautifully. They provide easy access to goods that might otherwise get buried in the back. Place frequently used items, condiments and spices on turntables.
Label Neatly
Utilize subtle labeling to identify what belongs where for the most organized appearance. Stick-on chalkboard labels, colored washi tape flags or printed labels on the shelving edge identify contents without visual clutter.
Style with plants
A few lush plants instantly soften utilitarian shelving and provide a homey touch. Opt for low-light plants like snake plants, ferns or ivy. Place smaller potted plants on the shelves themselves and larger statement plants on the floor.
Hang Utensils
Make use of vertical wall space surrounding the pantry by hanging utensil racks, pan racks, and magnetic knife strips. This gets these items off the shelves while also adding openness and character.
Illuminate Inside
Install battery-operated touch lights inside cabinets and drawers to illuminate interiors and see contents. Puck lights, strip adhesive lights and motion-sensor lights are all great options that provide ample brightness.
Mix up Heights
Alternating tall and short shelves breaks up the space while allowing you to get creative with storage solutions. Place tall food jars and oversized items on higher shelves while shorter goods and baskets fit neatly on shallower shelves.
Style with Glassware
Fill empty shelves with pretty glassware, like rows of matching Ball jars or apothecary bottles. This creates an elegant, cohesive look while also being functional for storing excess dry goods attractively.
Use Over-the-Door Items
Increase storage capacity without sacrificing style by hanging racks, shelves and organizers over the pantry door. Store spices, oils and extras here to free up shelf space. Opt for over-the-door racks in sleek metal.
Add Wheels
Install caster wheels or rolling drawers at the base of any freestanding shelving units to create a movable island. Having the ability to relocate storage easily comes in handy for cleaning and rearranging.
Keep Surfaces Clean
Maintaining tidy, dust-free shelves helps create a polished look. Quickly wipe down shelves with a microfiber cloth before restocking items. Clean up any drips or spills promptly as well to prevent sticky buildup.
Conclusion
With a little bit of effort, open pantry shelving can look just as beautiful as it is functional. Employing organizational techniques like bins, risers and turntables keeps things neat and tidy. While design touches like lighting, plants and glassware add style. Keeping surfaces clean and uncluttered also helps maintain an orderly, aesthetically-pleasing pantry space. Use any combination of these 20 tips to transform plain open shelves into a stunning showpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions About 20 Ideas for Making Open Pantry Shelving Look Good
What are some quick ways to make open pantry shelving look nicer?
Some quick ways to improve the look of open pantry shelves include using decorative bins and baskets for storage, adding lighting under the shelves or above them, installing risers to add height variation, and placing pretty glassware, containers or potted plants on the shelves.
What types of items should not be stored on open shelves?
Avoid storing any food or supplies that you don’t want visible on open shelves. Items that commonly look cluttered or messy when openly displayed include paper goods like paper towels, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and pet food. These are better stored out of sight in cabinets or drawers.
How often should open pantry shelving be cleaned?
Plan to fully clean open shelves around once per week. Quickly wipe down shelves in between deep cleanings whenever they appear dusty or dirty. Thoroughly removing all food debris, drips, spills, and grease buildup weekly keeps them looking their best.
What are some good organizational systems to use for open pantry storage?
Lazy susans, turntables, tiered risers, and modular storage bins help keep open shelves organized. Labeling shelves and bins makes it easy to return items to their designated homes. Color coding and categorizing shelves by the type of food they contain also helps maintain order.
What type of lighting works best for illuminating open pantry shelves?
LED strip lighting installed on the undersides of shelves or cabinets provides the best direct illumination. Battery-powered puck lights inside cabinets and drawers light dark interiors well. For ambient lighting, consider pendant lights above shelves or sconces on surrounding walls.
What are some tips for storing spices and seasonings on open shelving?
Keep spices neatly organized by displaying them in matching clear jars or canisters. Use risers or tiered shelves to better display the contents. Keeping spices in alphabetical order makes locating what you need easy. Store less frequently used spices in a wall-mounted rack nearby.
How can I include decor on utilitarian open shelves without it looking cluttered?
Limit decorative accents to just one or two bold statement pieces, like large vases or artwork. Avoid cluttering shelves with lots of small decor items. Choose decor in calm, neutral tones rather than bright colors that compete with storage items. Replace decor seasonally to keep the look fresh.
What kind of shelf liner works best for open pantry shelving?
Opt for durable vinyl shelf liner or materials like washable adhesive paper that can be easily removed for cleaning. Avoid porous materials like burlap or fabric that can harbor grease and odors. For a custom look, use removable wallpaper or sticky tiles to line shelves.
What type of risers work best for gaining more storage space?
Look for sleek metal risers in various heights that can be stacked together to create customized shelving tiers. Wire risers allow visibility of items stored behind them. Wooden risers with a lip add an extra decorative touch. Risers that hook onto existing shelves are easy to install.
How can I make my open pantry look more cohesive?
Maintaining a cohesive look involves using matching or complementary storage containers in the same color family. Opt for clear canisters or baskets to easily see contents. Keepingbins and racks in the same material, like woven rattan, also ties the space together. Limit color variation and stick to 2-3 color schemes.