stylistic shelving
Shelving comes in all shapes and sizes, meaning that consumers have all sorts of options when it comes to choosing what best fits in their own home and specific needs. Open shelving is a great way of opening up a space and displaying different types of household items and artwork! We wanted to share a few different ways of using open shelving to transform any space, so keep reading to see some fun designs!
desk divinity
Desks with minimal drawer space are the perfect opportunity to utilize floating shelves! Open shelving gives a space a more open feel while also granting extra storage. This guest bedroom that we designed features a small desk space, and we wanted to find a unique way of adding a bit more storage! Using enclosed shelving would have made this space appear heavier while also taking up more space. Because of this, we opted for white floating shelves that have a unique shape to add some interest to the room. We styled these shelves with books, vases and artwork to add some color to the otherwise white walls!
Floating shelves don’t have to be boring because like we said before, they come in all shapes and sizes! Finding a unique set of shelves will give you more storage while also adding another layer of fun to your space!
Design by: @emilyjunedesigns
Photo by: @kerrykirkphoto
bar beauty
This bar design uses a monotone purple color palette that gives this space harmony and drama! Brass accents and glass shelves are used against this palette and contribute to creating an elegant look. Bars typically always have some sort of shelving whether enclosed or open, and utilizing open-shelving within this space makes it feel more open!
Glass shelving like this is also a good way to display glasses, pitchers, and vases. We are all about fun accessories here at Emily June Designs, and an area like this is the perfect spot to display some of your favorite things!
Design by: @lizmacphailinteriors
striking kitchen shelving
Kitchens usually feature upper cabinets that have enclosed shelving. However, more modern designs have been making use of open shelving in this area to display bowls, dishes, and other cookware! All of the accent pieces within this designs are brass including the hardware, picture frames, and lighting fixtures. Therefore, this designer decided to use brass shelving as a way to create a balanced look within this space! The overall style of this space leans to a more traditional design which shows that open shelving can be used in all sorts of spaces, regardless of the design style. Try open shelving with any style and see how it transforms your own space!
Design by: @hollyaudreywilliams
Photo by: @bwfoto
nifty reading nook
We’ve seen many built-in reading nooks, but this one really stands out with its natural wood and open shelving features! Open shelving is used a lot for displaying books, but this design features more shallow shelves that allows for the books to be placed face-forward. This is something book-collectors and book-lovers might choose to do in their own homes to really bring emphasis to the books themselves! Displaying your favorite books like this is a great way to add your own personal touch to your space. Furthermore, this area is right next to the staircase so this will be the first thing people see when they reach this floor. The pillows, blanket, rug, and wallpaper really give this space a welcoming feeling that would make anyone want to sit down, get comfy and read a good book!
Photo by: @stacyzaringoldberg
blissful built-in
This kitchen area makes use of a natural palette that gives this space a simple and organic look! This design makes use of a traditional built-in shelving unit, but the open shelving on the window gives the space a unique look. These open shelves allow for the accessories to have their own natural light, and it’s also a great place for plants! The brass sconce above the window also allows for the items placed on these shelves to have their own light on a cloudy day or during the night. Having lighting for above open shelving is a great way to emphasize the items placed on them, and is a great way to display any items such as art or sculpture pieces in any part of the home! Mounting shelves across a kitchen window like this is a great way to create some extra storage within your kitchen without giving up any extra natural lighting. And it looks so pretty too!
Design by: @cortneybishopdesign
Photo by: @kcharlottephoto
bathroom brilliance
Shelving is something always needed in bathrooms, however, this extra shelving above the bathtub was included as a stylistic choice and gives extra function to the space! Here, the designer used this floating shelf to display a statement piece of art and vases, but it could also be used for towels, candles, and anything you need to make this space more functional for you! Just because shelving isn’t typically used somewhere doesn’t mean that it can’t be. Don’t be afraid to try shelving in areas that might add extra functionality and personality to your spaces!
Design by: @lucyharrisnyc + @alisbergparker + @kelley.roach + @jaclyn.doherty
Photo by: @readmckendree
workspace wonder
Home offices are a common area where designers might choose to use built-ins, however, this designer made use of a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit as well as a wall-mounted desk. This saves a lot of room within this space and gives this design a modern look! The designer styled this space with vases, pictures frames, and other fun accessories to break up the spaces between books to ensure this space does not appear cluttered. The dark wood finish used for the wall-mounted desk separates the desk area from the rest of the shelving, and it appears to be its own little space within the large room. Wall-mounted desks help to conserve space, but they do not allow for maximum storage. Therefore, the designer made up for the lack of storage space with these open-shelving units!
Design by: @everobinsonassociates
Photo by: @peter_margonelli