Replacing bulky cabinets with open shelving can give a kitchen breathing space. If you can afford to lose a bit of storage, the options for decorative display are endless.
This lovely kitchen photo, courtesy of CIL Paints, is a great example of how attractive open shelving can be. Painting rich colours on the walls behind the shelving provides tons of visual zest. The colours used here are CIL's Harvest Spice and Purple Haze.
Open shelving offers a casual flavour that is warm and welcoming in just about any room in the home. In a den or even a laundry room, open shelving combined with closed storage cabinets or cupboards provide the best of both worlds. Open shelving offers both style and function to the home.
Having open shelving, especially in a kitchen, is a growing trend. This casual style is conducive to today's busy homeowners. Installing some open shelving in your kitchen renovation can also lead to cost savings. Plank shelving is much more affordable than a row of cabinets. If your kitchen needs a small update but the budget is tight, consider removing a few cabinets and installing simple shelving. Depending upon the style of your kitchen, you can choose to have the shelves floating for a contemporary look or install decorative brackets for a more traditional flavour.
Open shelving is also a great option for the cottage. Casual dishware, pots and pans can all be stored out in the open on affordable shelving versus expensive cabinets.
Rough-hewn barn board used as shelving can add tons of character to the home or the cottage. Sleek, high gloss shelving would look great in a modern, minimalist kitchen. Wire shelving provides an industrial feel. Do an internet search on open shelving and check out all of the photos that come up. There are lots of great ideas out there to pique your interest.
When using open shelving for display, say in a living room or den, consider offsetting the shelves for a more updated look. Paint the wall behind the shelving in a rich colour to create more focus. Floating shelves are really attractive and are fairly easy to build and install. You can find patterns and instruction on the internet or simply purchase floating shelves from places like IKEA or Home Depot.
If you're a book lover, then installing shelving for use as a library is a great way to store books and keep them handy at the same time. A floor to ceiling wall of books can be a dramatic addition to a den or living room.
Plant enthusiasts will also benefit from vertical display via wall shelves. Choose a sunny wall where plants will thrive and create a wall garden with your houseplants. Have a small stepstool at the ready so you can reach the higher shelves in order to water your plants. An herb garden in the kitchen would be a welcome addition for any budding chef.
Music aficionados need space to store their CDs. Open shelving, suitably sized for this purpose will keep your collection in check. A cube-styled shelf will help keep the dust at bay.
By the same token, any collector needs a place to showcase their collection. Open shelving can help keep your collection safe while displaying it for all to enjoy. Again, shelving is less costly than high-end curio or display cabinets in this instance. Also, wall shelves will not take up valuable floor space a cabinet would.
If you're running out of tabletop space for your family photos, then consider a shelving display. A few simple shelves stacked above one another will give your photos the importance they deserve.
Open shelving can free up floor space when used to house entertainment components. If floor space is at a premium in your home, then consider the shelving option. This makes it much easier to clean beneath the shelves where dust always collects from home electronics.
Adding shelving in a small bathroom just makes sense. Everyday items will be handy and the additional storage will be helpful. In the bathroom, opt for shelving that is easy to clean and can withstand the moisture.
Plain shelves can be painted in bright colours in a child's room, kitchen or rec-room. Coloured shelves add a whimsical touch to the overall display. Keeping the shelving all the same colour will provide continuity and will showcase the items on the shelves rather than the shelving itself. Raw wooden shelving offers a warm, rustic look, but can be stained if desired. Stains come in a variety of colours so you can co-ordinate your shelving with existing flooring or cabinets if desired. Consider installing decorative ceramic tile on the tops of the shelves in the kitchen or bathroom. This will not only offer some decoration, it will provide easy cleanup. (This idea is best used on shelves that are installed at lower heights so you'll be able to see the tiles.)
Look around your home to see if there is an opportunity to update your space with open shelving. They might add the verve that your decor needs.
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