Out of the Ordinary: 10 Kitchens with Unique Open Shelving

A lot of the open shelving we’ve seen falls into one of two categories: simple floating shelves, or cabinets sans cabinet doors. But that doesn’t mean yours has to. Take a look at these ten inspiring examples of unique open shelving… and then maybe get inspired to build your own.

Above: how beautiful are is this brass and glass shelving unit? The whole kitchen is gorgeous, of course, but it’s really the shelves that steal the show. Design by Michael Bechara, spotted on Habitus Living.

Steel brackets paired with wooden shelves give this kitchen a rustic-industrial vibe. From HGTV.

Here’s a lovely idea for open shelving in a modern kitchen… or any kitchen, really. These steel-framed glass boxes form part of the cabinets between the kitchen and living room in this house by Studio Mobile. It’s a win-win — you can see all your lovely things, and also see what’s going on in the living room at the same time.

This square shelving unit has a neat, geometric feel. Williams Sonoma via Decorpad.

It’s the copper pipe supports that make the open shelving in Scott & Kristan’s Inspiring Arts District Loft stand out. This one detail gives their whole kitchen a cool, industrial-chic vibe.

I love the rusted iron shelves in the kitchen of blogger Lauren Liess, which were inspired by baker’s racks. You can see more photos of the kitchen, and read about the process of creating the shelves, on her blog.

I’m really intrigued by this kitchen, from Elle Maison, which has what appear to be open shelves recessed into the wall behind the cabinets. Obviously this is something that would require a lot of planning (and that couldn’t be retrofitted), but it’s a great way to have storage above and free up your counters at the same time.

It’s the delicate brackets that make these shelves so interesting. This designer gets bonus point for perfectly matching the metal on the brackets to the faucet and hardware. Spotted on Bungalux.

These open shelves with metal supports are from Alexandra & Eliot’s 1890’s Farmhouse.

And finally, here’s something you probably haven’t seen before… a range hood that extends out into a hanging open shelf. And let’s talk about the giant vintage cabinet that forms the base of this kitchen. Kind of amazing, no? From B-Arch Studio, via Mod Pieces.