Floating kitchen shelves are a great option to add additional storage space to your kitchen walls, without the layout and design of the kitchen feeling too heavy. Especially in small spaces, sometimes the combination of both upper cabinets and lower ones can be a bit too heavy for a room layout. However, by replacing some or all of the upper cabinetry with floating shelves, the look becomes light and airy.
Installing shelves can be a great way to add a spot for displaying a few pretty kitchen objects, depending on the weight capacity and shelf placement. The most important factor when styling your floating shelves is to work with different materials, sizes, and heights so you end up with an interesting look for your kitchen that looks balanced and not too crowded. Play around with it a little to find the right look for your kitchen space.
Floating kitchen shelves can be planned when you design your kitchen and most kitchen companies will have a few models in their catalog. However, you can use any floating shelves (just pay attention to a few factors like weight capacity, dimensions, and stain sensitivity) or even go the DIY route in your kitchen.
A combination of upper cabinetry with a floating shelf placement
If you want to achieve a lighter kitchen look, yet you do need upper cabinetry for storing away food or kitchen appliances, creating an upper layout that consists of a combination of cabinets and floating kitchen shelves might be just the right balance you are looking for.
In this beautiful kitchen, both the floating kitchen shelves and the upper cabinetry are white, resulting in a lighter effect that contrasts with the dark wood cabinets at the bottom of the kitchen. The floating shelf starts above the stone backsplash and the thickness of the shelf is the same as the thickness of the cabinet edge right next to it.
via Nordiska Kök
A minimal white kitchen with a full-length floating shelf
In the kitchen in my previous apartment, minimal white cabinetry paired up nicely with a white countertop, brass hardware, white walls, and a full-length white floating shelf with an integrated LED strip that functioned as overhead lighting.
I loved the floating shelf for styling and since the combination of lower cabinets and tall cupboards provided more than enough closed storage space, I could use the floating kitchen shelves solely for displaying pretty kitchen items, one of my prints, or even taller items like a vase with flowers.
White floating kitchen shelves with a classic look
This beautiful classy kitchen with blue cabinets is finished off with a white farmhouse sink, white countertops, and matching white floating shelves mounted on the wall above the sink which allows everything to be within reach while you cook or wash the dishes.
The white brackets of the open shelving enhance the amazing classy look of the kitchen and they are also used to mount the brass rail that spreads along the entire shelf length. The shelf itself is used for details, small artwork, and plants, which complement the elegant wall lamps that hang right above it.
The brass rail matches the brass of the faucets and kitchen hardware for a cohesive look.
via DeVol kitchens
Marble floating kitchen shelves in a corner layout
The floating kitchen shelves in this beautiful kitchen with sage green kitchen cabinets are constructed out of the same material as the backsplash. The installation of the shelves is done on two walls, resulting in a corner layout on the first shelf with the rail hanging below it.
The combination of the floating shelves with the rails creates a great kitchen section for keeping glasses, dry goods, and utensils. The top shelf is used for pretty accessories to decorate the space, while the bottom one is more functional.
via Kvänum
Floating kitchen shelves made out of the same marble as the backsplash
The different kitchen materials in this kitchen complement each other in such a perfect way. The impressive marble backsplash is also used as the material for the large floating kitchen shelves, which ties the look together and provides the kitchen with an ideal spot to display a selection of glasses and accessories.
The floating shelf fits the exact dimensions of the kitchen module, making it fit perfectly inside the niche space created by the two tall cupboards on each side.
This would be a great idea for a high-end bathroom as well, to make floating shelves out of the same material as the marble used for the shower wall.
via Nordiska Kök
A wood wall shelf in the same material as the kitchen cabinets
I think this is one of the best wood shelf ideas on the list, as the wood of the floating shelf matches the light oak wood of the kitchen cabinets in this small studio kitchen. The small open shelving has a standing edge on the back and on the sides and fits perfectly underneath the sloped A-line roof.
via Nordiska Kök
Floating kitchen shelves in front of a window
This is one of the more unique floating shelves on the list, as the floating shelf is mounted in front of a kitchen window, making it an ideal spot for plants as they get so much sunlight there. The floating shelf has a bar on the bottom for hanging kitchen utensils and a kitchen towel, which comes in handy right next to the kitchen sink.
Keep in mind that in Scandinavia (where this kitchen is located), often windows open towards the outside. If your windows open inwards like in most other European countries, this would only be an option if you don’t plan to open this window.
via Kvänum
Tin floating kitchen shelves next to the stove hood
The elaborate stove hood design in this kitchen is quite prominent with its intricate detailing on the bottom that would make it challenging to fit cabinets next to it on the wall. Floating kitchen shelves on each side of the hood add elegance to the setting and make the black material of the countertops come back against the white kitchen wall.
The combination of the olive green kitchen cabinets with the black in the kitchen shelves and countertops and the white walls make for a powerful and unique palette that is enhanced by the subtle brass hardware.
via DeVol kitchens
Walnut floating kitchen shelves in a corner kitchen layout
This beautiful kitchen with walnut cabinetry and grey marble countertops was kept empty on the top walls, with the exception of the beautiful walnut floating kitchen shelves that are mounted in a corner layout following the kitchen floor plan.
The bottom shelf stops right where the sink module starts, while the upper floating shelf stops right before that, resulting in an asymmetrical layout that adds an elegant playfulness to the setting. The combination of porcelain pieces on the shelves creates an elegant style that enhances the beautiful kitchen decor.
via Nordiska Kök
A white floating kitchen shelf right underneath the sloped ceiling
This beautiful sage green kitchen with a stainless steel countertop and a tall cupboard that fits right underneath the sloped roof has been fitted with a white floating shelf that spreads over the entire kitchen wall.
The white wall shelf blends in with the wall and is mounted in between the widow and the sloped ceiling, utilizing this otherwise lost wall space for a selection of bottles and decor items.
A tin white floating shelf above the kitchen sink
A tin floating shelf spreads over the kitchen sink of this beautiful shaker kitchen with off-white kitchen cabinets. The height of the shelf has the same dimensions as the side panels of the kitchen design, which ties the room together.
via Nordiska Kök
Floating kitchen shelves wrapped around the tiled kitchen wall
The room design and kitchen layout are unique, to say the least. The kitchen wraps around a corned layout in the floor plan and combines grey and walnut cabinet fronts with vertical subway tiles on the wall. The real focal point in the room design however, are the tin black floating kitchen shelves that follow the angles of the wall and provide a place for hanging utensils or displaying ceramics, a cutting board, artwork, and a pretty salt and pepper grinder set.
via Marbodal
Tin floating kitchen shelves for aesthetic purposes enhance a room design
A simple and elegant walnut wall shelf fills the soft beige wall above the walnut kitchen module. The lines of the frame in between the kitchen doors have the same thickness as the wall shelf, which makes the design very elegant and streamlined. Even though the weight capacity of these types of tin floating kitchen shelves is on the lower end, they are great for adding a few accessories to the room design.
via Nordiska Kök
Tin blue floating kitchen shelves contrast against a white tile wall
The material of the kitchen itself is brought back on top with tin blue floating kitchen shelves spreading over the entire kitchen worktop. Two black wall lamps are mounted above the wall shelves, while the white tiles on the wall provide the room with the perfect backsplash for the dark blue and black accents on the shelf and lamps.
via Ballingslöv
A tin floating shelf enhances this minimal shaker kitchen look
Tin floating kitchen shelves are great for filling an empty wall above the kitchen counter and they can be fitted with overhead LED lighting that can be hidden inside the floating shelves for a subtle effect. In this beautiful yet minimal shaker kitchen, the floating shelf is the perfect spot for a plant right next to the window, enhancing the otherwise minimal kitchen design with a few carefully selected accessories.
Open shelves are great to style and re-style time and time again to change the look and overall appearance of your room. Changing out the accessories and varying the color palette by making small changes on your wall shelves is one of the easiest ways to update your kitchen look.
via Nordiska Kök
Marble floating kitchen shelves fill the area underneath the sloped ceiling
This beautiful attic kitchen with white doors and grey marble countertops is fitted with a marble wall and two floating kitchen shelves that are made to fit the area underneath the sloped ceiling. The corners of the shelf are cut to fit the angle of the ceiling for an exact fit that needs to be done by a professional.
These floating kitchen shelves provide an ideal spot for wine glasses and a few beautiful ceramic pieces that fit the color palette of the kitchen.
via Nordiska Kök
Wall-to-wall floating kitchen shelves with closed storage on top
The upper area of this beautiful kitchen with black cabinets consists of wall-to-wall floating kitchen shelves on top of which the closed storage is mounted for an elegant effect. While the shelves are hung up to the closed storage above the sink, the other side is fitted with extra brackets to attach everything firmly to the wall.
The open shelves prove to be very helpful above a sink or stove to keep things within easy reach.
via Ballingslöv
Stone floating kitchen shelves installed with stone brackets
The beige natural stone that is used for the countertops and the backsplash in this beautiful kitchen is also used for the gorgeous floating kitchen shelves that are fitted with brackets made out of the same material for a luxurious effect in the kitchen design.
The combination of the black tones in the ceramics and the art print add a beautiful contrast to the otherwise natural color palette of this setting.
via Nordiska Kök
Walnut floating kitchen shelves connect two tall cupboards together
The niche space in between the two tall cupboards on each side is fitted with an impressive green marble backsplash that fills the entire wall above the kitchen sink. The floating kitchen shelves above the sink are made out of the same material as the rest of the kitchen cabinetry and provide the kitchen with a unique place to display elegant kitchen accessories against the beautiful backdrop of green marble.
via Nordiska Kök
A marble floating kitchen shelf attached with brass brackets
In this beautiful shaker kitchen with marble countertops and brass hardware, a floating shelf made out of the same material as the countertops is mounted between the two taller cupboards on each side.
The brass brackets match the brass material in the hardware, faucets, and elegant wall lamps for a cohesive look that ties this classic kitchen design together in an elegant way.
When placing floating kitchen shelves above a stove, like in this example, pay attention to the depth of the shelf design and make sure to keep enough distance.
via DeVol kitchens
