Open pantry shelving has become one of the hottest trends in kitchen design, and it’s easy to see why.
You get instant access to everything you need while creating a stunning display that showcases your style. The key is organizing your shelves so they look intentional rather than cluttered.
Let’s explore twenty gorgeous ways to make your open pantry shelving both functional and absolutely beautiful.
01. Maximize Vertical Space from Floor to Ceiling
Credit: Britt Design Studio
You’ll love how this smart pantry design uses every inch of vertical space available to you.
Start with open shelving above built-in drawers that stretch all the way to the ceiling. Keep your dried goods on the countertop where you can grab them easily, place snacks at eye level for quick access, and use labeled storage baskets up top for items you don’t need daily.
02. Install Airy Shelving in Front of Windows
Credit: Kate Marker Interiors
Don’t let that beautiful natural light go to waste in your galley-style pantry.
You can add wall-to-wall shelving right in front of your window without blocking the sunshine. This approach makes brilliant use of your upper wall space while keeping your pantry bright and welcoming. The light filtering through creates such an inviting atmosphere you’ll actually enjoy organizing.
03. Leave Your Lower Floor Space Open and Clear
Credit: NEAT Method Vancouver and NEAT Method Toronto/ Photo byJanis Nicolay
Here’s a game-changing approach that keeps your pantry looking spacious and uncluttered from every angle.
Start your shelving just below counter height so kids can easily reach their snacks, then extend upward to the ceiling. This leaves your lower floor area completely clear, which creates a much more open feeling, especially when your pantry is visible from the kitchen.
04. Design a Dedicated Wine Storage Pantry
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors
Transform your pantry into a sophisticated wine lover’s dream with custom open shelving designed specifically for bottle storage.
You can match the wood shelving to your built-in cabinetry and drawers for a cohesive look. The contrast against white countertops and walls creates an elegant, gallery-like feel that makes your wine collection the star of the show.
05. Choose Warm Reclaimed Wood for Character
Credit: Kate Marker Interiors
Reclaimed wood shelving adds incredible warmth and rustic charm to your bright pantry space.
Install wall-to-wall shelves above your built-in cabinetry and style them with a mix of glassware and white accessories. Add a small plant and a painting to make the space feel curated and decorated rather than purely functional. This approach turns storage into beautiful decor.
06. Build a Hidden Coffee Station Pantry
Credit: Britt Design Studio
Create the ultimate coffee lover’s paradise with a dedicated pantry station that can hide away when you’re not using it.
Install folding doors that conceal everything from view, with open shelving built around a pot filler for easy espresso machine access. Organize your mugs and breakfast supplies so beautifully that you’ll want to leave the doors open all day long.
07. Combine Different Shelving Styles Together
Credit: Inspired By Charm
You don’t have to stick with just one type of shelving in your butler’s pantry.
Try mixing a stained wood wall-mounted shelf for grab-and-go items with built-in open shelving painted in soft sage green. Add a pegboard underneath for hanging kitchen tools, and style your shelves into charming vignettes. This layered approach creates visual interest and maximum functionality.
08. Use Shallow Shelves for Compact Spaces
Credit: Michelle Berwick Design
Shallow floor-to-ceiling shelving works beautifully when you’re working with limited pantry depth.
This approach maximizes every bit of available space without making your pantry feel cramped or overwhelming. Build your shelving around existing windows to maintain natural light. You’ll be amazed at how much you can store on shallow shelves when they’re properly organized and planned.
09. Turn Any Kitchen Wall into Pantry Storage
Credit: deVOL Kitchens
No separate pantry room? No problem at all.
You can dedicate an entire kitchen wall to open pantry shelving that doubles as gorgeous decor. Mount painted wood shelves above your sink and store dried goods in jars of varying shapes and sizes. Use matching black labels on everything to create that organized, cohesive look you’re after.
10. Protect Shelves with Sliding Glass Doors
Credit: Studio Peake
Glass-front doors give you the best of both worlds in your pantry design.
Install a built-in storage unit with drawers on the bottom and open shelving on top, then add sliding transparent doors. Everything from your tea mugs and toaster to your home bar stays visible and accessible while being protected from dust and kitchen grease.
11. Add Depth with L-Shaped Corner Shelving
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo By Kaitlin Green
L-shaped open shelving creates wonderful visual depth in your pantry space.
Paint your shelves in a smoky blue or another rich color to make them stand out as an architectural feature. This configuration works perfectly in corner spaces and gives you significantly more storage than standard straight shelving. Plus, it looks absolutely stunning from every angle in your kitchen.
12. Transform Your Island End into Mini Pantry
Credit: Design by Velinda Hellen forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Get creative with your kitchen island by turning one end into a charming mini pantry station.
Add open shelving secured with decorative brass bands that keep matching glass jars of dried goods safely in place. This unexpected storage solution looks beautiful and keeps your most-used ingredients right where you need them while you’re cooking and baking.
13. Create Cohesion with All-White Dishware
Credit: Thistlewood Farms
Simplify your butler’s pantry styling by stocking your open shelves with an all-white dishware collection.
This approach keeps everything looking cohesive without requiring meticulous organization. You can stack your dishes in a casual, freewheeling way that feels effortless and relaxed. The monochromatic look is timeless and always appears pulled together, even when you’re in a hurry.
14. Maximize Compact Spaces with U-Shaped Shelves
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors
U-shaped shelving wraps around your pantry walls to create maximum storage in minimal square footage.
Install two rows of shelving and paint both the walls and shelves in dark smoky blue-gray for drama. This rich backdrop makes your woven storage baskets, natural wood serving pieces, and glass containers absolutely pop. It’s a sophisticated look that feels custom and intentional.
15. Blend Metal Brackets with Wood Shelves
Credit: Kate Marker Interiors
Pale wood open shelving paired with black metal brackets creates a modern yet warm aesthetic in your pantry.
This combination works beautifully in bright spaces off your hallway or kitchen. Style your shelves with books and art alongside your pantry items to elevate the space beyond basic storage. The black accessories tie everything together and prevent it from looking like an ordinary closet.
16. Match Jar Lids to Your Countertops
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors
Here’s a brilliant trick for making your open pantry shelving look incredibly polished and intentional.
Display your frequently used dried goods in glass jars with lids that match your countertop material or color. This simple coordination creates a cohesive, designer look that’s anything but chaotic. It’s the small details like this that make your pantry feel truly custom.
17. Install a Statement Brass and Glass Shelf
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors
Complement your closed cabinet storage with a stunning wall-mounted brass and glass shelving unit.
This type of open shelving creates an instant focal point in your large, bright pantry. Display simple all-white dishware for a clean, modern aesthetic. The shiny brass adds warmth and luxury while the glass keeps everything feeling light and airy rather than heavy.
18. Design Open Cabinetry Without Doors
Credit: Design byTidal Interiors/ Photo byJenny Siegwart
Sometimes the simplest approach is the most effective for your L-shaped pantry visible from the kitchen.
Install white wrap-around cabinetry without doors so you can easily locate and stock everything. Group bulk items together and decant pantry staples into transparent containers. Sticking to white and pale gray keeps the whole space feeling calm, clean, and beautifully organized.
19. Frame Your Pantry with Arched Doorways
Credit: House 9 Interiors
Add architectural charm to your pantry entrance with an elegant arched opening and natural wood glass doors.
Paint everything inside from the walls to the cabinetry to the bracketed open shelving in warm beige tones. This creates beautiful depth and contrast against your modern white kitchen. The arched detail transforms your pantry from functional storage into a charming design feature.
20. Stock a Full Wall with Matching Jars
Credit: Mindy Gayer Design Co./ Photo by Vanessa Lentine
A full wall of open shelving painted in pale gray creates a stunning, gallery-like pantry display.
Decant all your dried goods into identical glass jars for a streamlined, organized look. This system makes it incredibly easy to find what you need and keep track of inventory at a glance. When everything matches, your pantry always looks intentional and beautifully maintained.
Final Thoughts
Open pantry shelving transforms your kitchen storage into a beautiful design feature that’s both practical and stunning.
The key is choosing a style that matches your home’s aesthetic and organizing everything so it looks intentional rather than cluttered. Whether you prefer rustic wood, sleek glass, or painted cabinetry, there’s an approach that’ll work perfectly for your space.
Start with one of these ideas and make it your own—you’ll love having a pantry that’s as gorgeous as it is functional.
