Kitchen inspiration: Open shelving

In this kitchen, constructed entirely from recycled products, an open pantry is both practical and adds a warm and welcoming feel. The recycled solid timber benchtops are from Timber Zoo, and a large industrial pendant light, found in a demolition yard, adds to the kitchen’s vintage charm.

Use your shelf to create a pretty vignette, adding books, flowers and special mementos along with your kitchen items. Dulux Pearl Ash, $74.95/4L, was used for the walls and a low-sheen white for the woodwork.

This French-style country kitchen keeps things clean and simple by pairing white crockery with white cabinetry and shelving.

If you have a vintage tea set that is just too pretty to hide, add some personality to your kitchen by displaying your treasured items.

Don’t be afraid to pack away all but the essentials. No one needs to know just how full your drawers and cupboards are – all they will see is this chic and tidy bench space!

This timber shelf sits perfectly above closed cupboards, allowing plenty of space for crockery and glassware while displaying cookbooks and bottles.

Glass jars and bottles have a multitude of uses, and are particularly handy in the kitchen. Store everything from tea and sugar to spoons and straws, adding vintage-style labels to make them display-worthy.

These low shelves make for easy access and create an inviting, open space. Larger, heavier items such as casserole dishes work best, while glassware stored higher will keep it safe from swinging legs!

A clean, white palette is an easy way to make open shelving work, with colourful touches added through ceramics and cookware in a favourite shade such as this vibrant green. The splashback of inexpensive pressed metal, found at Chippendale Restorations, was spray painted in Dulux Domino.

Open shelving means bright, airy spaces. It may also require a spring clean of your cooking utensils to ensure you keep only what is beautiful or useful!