The closed versus open kitchen storage debate is one that is ongoing, and polarizing. To display your dishes and pots on an open shelf, or keep them tucked away behind a cabinet door? Ina Garten argues for the former, though not without some considerations.
'I love working in a kitchen with beautiful things, but I hate anything that’s purely decorative,' she states in the caption of a recent Instagram post. 'If you display dishes and trays that you actually use and love, your kitchen just feels alive.'
The Barefoot Contessa's kitchen sees a mix of ceramic pitchers, copper pans, cookbooks, silver saucers, and glass cakestands, beautifully blending function with decor. It's certainly giving us some kitchen shelving ideas.
Shop the look
It doesn't get much more classic than a white dinnerware set, and this microwave- and dishwasher-safe one meets the mark.
Instantly heirloom-worthy, this antique-inspired gravy boat features a sophisticated silhouette and shiny, silver finish.
These charming pitchers make brilliant fall accessories (and failsafe gift ideas); I love using them to display Chrysanthemums, dahlias or dried grasses and stems for a fall centerpiece.
Ina details her tips for decorating kitchen shelves effectively in the caption of this post and we are taking notes. First and foremost, she suggests mixing old and new items; we can see this in action with her antique saucers placed next to ceramic plates. The blend of materials and finishes is visually appealing and works especially well if your kitchen fuses traditional and contemporary aesthetics in its design.
Additionally, she advises us to vary the heights and sizes of items. This creates a dynamic appearance on a shelf and maintains intrigue. She also points out that you can lean a large platter against the wall of the shelf to provide an interesting background to the area.
She also shows us that incorporating books as decor is a fantastic way to add volume to a shelf, whether you stack them horizontally or vertically.
Finally, Ina says that sticking to a small color palette is the way to go when styling a kitchen shelf. We can see that she has opted for neutrals and metallics, which work wonders in a wooden shelf. We are partial to a natural palette, though experimenting with a couple of bolder colors (particularly if you have bright kitchenware) is a great way to infuse your shelf with some vibrancy.
