17+ Modern Kitchen Shelving Ideas [Modern Designs]

My husband and I have always been terrible at organizing our kitchen. For years, we had just crammed everything into cabinets and drawers, making it difficult to find anything when we needed it.

The countertops were constantly cluttered with pots and pans, baking supplies, and appliances, and we had no room to prep meals. We knew we needed to find a better solution if we wanted to be able to cook efficiently in our kitchen.

One day, we came across an article about maximizing space in a small kitchen. One of the tips was to install shelves in the alcove above our sink.

We hadn’t thought of that before, but it made sense – after all, the walls were essentially just wasted space. We decided to give it a try and started brainstorming ideas for how we could make the shelves more aesthetically pleasing- check out some of our favorite kitchen pantry cabinet ideas for inspiration!

We eventually decided on a design that would fit well with our style. We mounted wooden shelves on the walls near the sink and stove, using brackets to secure them in place. We then painted them a light blue color to match our kitchen cabinets.

To keep things organized, we installed hooks underneath the shelves for utensils and tools, as well as small baskets to hold baking supplies and other kitchen essentials.

The new shelves have made a huge difference in our kitchen – not only are they more organized, but they also free up valuable counter space.

We can now easily reach for dishes and cooking utensils without having to walk across the room, and we have a place to store all of our baking supplies.

Plus, the shelves add a touch of elegance to our kitchen and provide a much-needed focal point.

15 Shelf Ideas For Your Kitchen

If you’re looking for a way to maximize space in your kitchen, installing shelves is a great option.

Not only will you be able to organize your belongings more efficiently, but you’ll also be able to add some style to your décor. So what are you waiting for? Get started on those shelves today!

When it comes to the kitchen, the need for shelving space is vital when it comes to being able to properly hold everything you need. This includes the cookware, dinnerware, food storage, and whatever else comes to mind to make it work for you.

Have you given much thought to kitchen shelving ideas? Do you like the idea of everything out in the open or is it a preference to have the items tucked away where it’s out of sight and out of mind until you need it?

1. Add-Ons

Instead of shelves on the wall, a shelving unit taking up some available floor space is a great way to use it as an add-on to your kitchen counters.

This addition makes a great microwave stand or even a coffee station that can leave some valuable room on your kitchen counter space.

2. Built-In

Perhaps you have an old kitchen window that really is of no use to you and you’d rather have in its place something that is. This idea works and is easy enough to do.

Depending on whether or not you actually want the window removed is up to you but this is an option to work with if you need some extra shelving space.

3. Closet Encounters

Perhaps you have a pantry that seems to fall a bit short on what it can really do for you. You need more shelving space to store items like spices but don’t really have the kind of room elsewhere in the kitchen to pull it off.

Even if you don’t have a pantry but have a door that could accommodate the installation of a handy rack unit, this is the way to go about it. The shelving is there to either load it up as a spice rack or at least a series of items that help you perform better in the kitchen as a cook.

4. Cornered

In this corner, we have four shelves installed that have turned it into a handy kitchen shelving idea that can hold whatever it is you need to be kept there.

5. Hey, What’s Hangin’?

To pull this kitchen shelving idea off, it would be as easy as buying and installing a curtain rod and installing shelves that can hang from it.

That would be the DIY way to go about it. There is, of course, finding who sells something like this that best suits your decorative scheme and needs at the same time.

6. Let’s Get Racked

Used as a rack, this shelving idea for the kitchen keeps things simple enough by allowing you to line up whatever you wish to store on top of it. It also pulls double duty with the hooks underneath, allowing you to hang handy items to make your cooking experience an easier one.

7. Rustic

When it comes to designing a kitchen to sport the rustic look, nothing does it better than going with wooden planks that serve as shelves fixed on the wall. Not only do they add the old-school decor to one of the most important rooms of the house but serve its purpose.

Do you need shelving to store any goods or is it designed as a spot to display some decorative items?

8. RV Kitchen Reno

Perhaps it’s not the kitchen inside the home you need a shelving idea but rather the RV unit. Maybe you want to liven up the interior of your camper to not only modernize its look but make it more efficient.

This is a great way to go about it Perhaps this is not an RV unit but rather a tiny kitchen that could use a better layout so it can accommodate everything you need to make it work for you.

9. Stacked

Maybe you don’t really need that many shelves but just enough to make your kitchen counter work better for you. If all you need is a special place to store smaller items that really have no other safe place to go, this is the way to do it.

Between protected recipes, a spice rack, and maybe even a cookie jar, this can become one of the handiest shelving units in the entire kitchen. How about turning it into a miniature coffee station? Yes, that would work too.

10. The Collection

Perhaps you want a simple shelf on the wall that has its uses while at the same time something that can take up a bit of floor space as a shelving unit. This combination works as you collect what you need above your cooking station, as well as what you need next to it.

11. Wall to Wall

From wall to wall, each shelf can serve the purpose to store whatever you wish to have on display. What you put on those shelves is up to you. If you want them loaded up with dishes and drinkware, so be it. If you simply need some space to display something on the artsy side, that works too.

Kitchen Shelving Design Ideas

Install shelves above your stove to store pots and pans

One of the most challenging things about cooking is keeping everything organized. Pots and pans must be within reach, but they also need to be stored in a way that doesn’t make them difficult to grab when you need them. One solution is to install shelves above your stove.

This way, you can have all of your pots and pans within easy reach, and they’ll also be out of the way when you’re not using them. Make sure to install the shelves at a comfortable height so that you can easily grab whatever you need while you’re cooking.

With a little planning, you can turn your kitchen into a more efficient and organized space.

Add a shelf next to the refrigerator to store milk, eggs, and other perishables

Any experienced homemaker knows that the key to a well-organized kitchen is storage. And while there are many ways to increase storage space, one of the simplest and most effective is to add a shelf next to the refrigerator.

This is especially useful for storing milk, eggs, and other perishables, as it keeps them within easy reach while freeing up space in the main part of the fridge. Best of all, this can be done with minimal effort and expense, making it an ideal solution for anyone looking to streamline their kitchen.

Hang a shelf on the wall opposite the sink for dishware

Most homes have at least one room with a sink, and many people spend a significant amount of time each day washing dishes.

One way to make this task a little easier is to hang a shelf on the wall opposite the sink. This way, you can easily reach for clean dishes when you need them, and you can put dirty ones away without having to walk across the room.

Additionally, this can free up space on your countertops, giving you more room to prep meals or wash larger items. If you’re short on space, you can even use this shelf to store other kitchen essentials, such as spices or cooking utensils.

Whether you live in a small apartment or a large house, hanging a shelf by the sink is a simple way to make your life just a little bit easier.

Create a built-in wine rack next to your bar area

If you’re a wine enthusiast, then you know that having a good storage solution is essential. Not only does it keep your wines organized and easy to access, but it also helps to protect them from too much light or heat.

One great way to store your wines is to build a wine rack into your bar area. This way, your wines will always be within reach, and you can show off your collection to guests. Plus, a built-in wine rack can add a touch of elegance to your bar area.

If you’re not sure how to get started, there are plenty of online tutorials and books that can help. With a little time and effort, you can create a beautiful and functional wine rack that will be the envy of all your friends.

Place a small bookshelf in the corner of the kitchen for cookbooks or spices

When it comes to kitchen design, there are countless options to choose from. However, one simple and elegant solution is to install a small bookshelf in the corner of the room.

This can be used to store cookbooks or spices, providing easy access when you need them. Not only does this help to keep your kitchen organized, but it also frees up valuable counter space.

Plus, it provides a nice focal point for the room and can be used to display decorative items. If you’re looking for a way to add functionality and style to your kitchen, a corner bookshelf is a great option.

Mount pegboard on one or more walls to hang utensils and tools

The kitchen is often one of the most cluttered rooms in the house, with countertops and drawers crammed full of cooking utensils, baking supplies, and small appliances. One way to get organized and free up some valuable counter space is to install pegboard on one or more walls.

Pegboard is a type of hardboard with evenly spaced holes that can be used to hold hooks, hangers, and other organizing accessories. Utensils such as spatulas, wooden spoons, and measuring cups can be hung fromhooks, while pots and pans can be stored on pot racks or ceiling-mounted hangers.

Baking sheets and cutting boards can be stored vertically on pegs, and small appliance cords can be neatly wrapped around cord keepers. With everything within easy reach, you’ll be able to work more efficiently in the kitchen – and maybe even find a few new recipes to try out!

Adding shelves is a great way to maximize space in your kitchen, especially if you don’t have a lot of countertop or storage area. By utilizing the walls and empty spaces in your kitchen, you can create a more organized and efficient space. Do you have any other tips for maximizing space in a small kitchen? Share them with us in the comments!