Wooden shelving evokes a warm, rustic feel, while glass or metal look sleek and contemporary. Consider factors like the height of items you want to store and how much space you need for each item. Will Lyne, lead designer and co-owner at Christopher Peters Kitchens and Interiors says, ‘Plan the layout of your shelves, considering how you want to use the space. Using colours from the same family, paint the darkest hue at the bottom before taking it lighter as you go up. Add closed storage at the base for extra hidden storage and depending on ceiling height of the room, shelves should be spaced equally.’Ĭreate a feature out of floating shelves in an alcove by creating an ombre effect. Olivia Boardman, interior designer at My Bespoke Room says, ‘Consider painting the wall behind in a contrasting colour to add depth. Keep your shelving interesting by mixing the textures of your items, from ribbed, to metal to wood, this will draw the eye to an often tight space. If you have a recess in a kitchen, make use of the often neglected space and use shelves as part of your alcove ideas to add extra space. However, if your countertop is dark or matte it will absorb the light so your under-shelf lighting will need to be brighter. If your shelves are above a glossy or light-coloured countertop, under-shelf lighting does not need to be as bright because the countertop will bounce and reflect the light. Wall lights can add a stylish addition to the overall look of the space and installing a dimmer switch will also allow you to vary the light depending on the mood you wish to create.’ Consider the space you have available and whether you would like the lighting at the back, front, under or above the shelving to find the best option for your project. ‘There are an array of options available from LED strip lights and miniature spotlights, to larger wall lighting.

Kitchen shelving lighting is a form of accent lighting which will illuminate the shelves and contribute to mood lighting. Having multiple forms of kitchen lighting is important and should be layered to add ambience and depth.

‘Lighting for open shelving in a kitchen really helps to lift the design to the next level,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, managing director at Industville. Mirrored shelving and a small amount of worktop space are often all you need,’ says Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens. ‘Adding a home bar to your design will create a feature that is not only a great discussion point but also keeps all of a party’s essentials in one easy-to-find location! A common misconception is that you need a lot of space for a home bar, but by using clever storage solutions, you can add a touch of fun to your design without losing precious floor space. Make it fun with a neon sign, or even a chalkboard showcasing the drinks on offer that night. Make sure to keep the shelf with the alcohol high enough so that any curious children can’t reach it. If you want to indulge in your favourite tipple and stay in the comfort of your home, a home bar idea doesn’t have to be elaborate and can just be a kitchen shelf, which is perfect if you are limited on floor space.Īrrange your kitchen shelving so one shelf is for the booze and another shelf is for your wine glasses, coupes and cocktail glasses.

Shelf above kitchen sink window