Looking for simple ideas for how to decorate floating shelves in a kitchen? Here are 29 absolutely gorgeous kitchen floating shelf decor ideas you can easily copy!
I know decorating floating shelves in the kitchen can sometimes feel like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be!
In this post, I’ll give you some helpful tips and show you 29 examples that you can take inspiration from when styling your own shelves.
Let’s dive into how to decorate floating shelves in a kitchen and make them the focal point of your space!
How do you style floating shelves in the kitchen?
Decorating floating shelves in the kitchen isn’t just about making them look pretty; it’s about making your kitchen feel like home. Here are some tips on how to decorate floating shelves in a kitchen:
- Start with a Clean Slate: Before you start styling, clear off your shelves and give them a good wipe-down. Starting with a clean slate helps you imagine how you want things to look.
- Gather All the Items: First things first, gather up all the decorative objects you might want to use. Having everything in one place makes it easier to see what you’ve got to work with.
- Play with Heights and Textures: Start with the big items and then add in the smaller ones. You don’t want everything to look the same height or feel the same – that’s boring!
So, mix it up by putting tall items next to shorter ones. And don’t forget to use different materials like wood, glass, or metal to add variety. - Color Scheme: Think about the color scheme of your kitchen and choose items that complement it. You can stick to a cohesive color palette, or mix it up with pops of color for some fun contrast.
- Keep it Balanced: Make sure your shelves feel balanced and not too cluttered. Leave some empty space between items and don’t overcrowd the shelves.
- Keep Things Fresh: Don’t be afraid to switch things up every now and then. Change out your decor with the seasons or just whenever you feel like it. It’ll keep your kitchen feeling fresh and new all year round.
What should I put on my floating shelves?
So, when it comes to deciding what to put on your floating shelves, I find it’s a good idea to begin with everyday items. Things like your everyday dishes, glasses, and mugs – stuff you use on a daily basis.
Then, you can mix in some decorative items to add a bit of flair. This way, you strike the perfect balance between practical and pretty!
Here are some ideas:
- Functional Items: Start with the things you use all the time in your kitchen, like dishes, glasses, and cups. Keep them handy for quick access.
- Spices and Goodies: Keep your favorite spices, herbs, and cooking ingredients in jars or containers. They’re not just handy; they also jazz up your shelves.
- Add Some Flair: Spruce up your shelves with some decorative bowls, plates, or trays. They’re perfect for making your display look chic.
- Go Green: Bring some life into your kitchen with potted plants or herbs. Not only do they look good, they also purify the air and create an inviting atmosphere.
- Personal touches: Don’t forget to add your personal touch! Stick up some family photos, artwork, or other favorite items. They will help make your kitchen feel like a home and add a unique touch to your shelves.
I think looking at examples is the best way to get inspired and figure out how to start. So, let’s check out some kitchen floating shelves decor ideas to give you some inspiration for decorating your own!
How to Decorate Floating Shelves in a Kitchen
1. Faux Greenery & Flowers
Adding some greenery to your floating shelves is always a good idea! And you don’t even need real plants, fake ones work just as well.
I love the look of that trailing plant on the top shelf with its leaves hanging down. It really ties the whole space together.
Plus, flowers are another great option for bringing some life and color into your kitchen!
2. Hang Your Mugs
Adding a mug shelf right below your floating shelves is such a neat idea for the wall space above your counter!
Having your mugs there makes it super easy to grab one whenever you need it. And showing off cute mugs adds a really nice touch to your kitchen. It just looks great!
Plus, it’s a smart way to save space in your cabinets or anywhere else.
You can go for the separate shelf style like she did, or opt for an all-in-one shelf where the mug shelf is already attached.
I’ve linked both options for you! Just make sure the single shelf fits perfectly with your other floating shelves.
3. Glass Jars for Food
Here we have a great example of using glass jars on your floating shelves! It looks super nice and adds a charming touch to the kitchen.
Plus, it’s really practical. You can see exactly what’s inside and keep track of how much you have left. Perfect for staying organized!
4. Use Your Countertop as a Bottom Shelf
When you’re decorating the floating shelves above your kitchen counter, think of the counter like it’s the bottom shelf. That means you should consider using similar colors to what you have on the counter.
Since the counter is where you keep things you use often, it makes sense to have items there for easy access.
Look at how the decor on the counter matches the colors on the floating shelves in the picture. It all blends together nicely and makes the whole kitchen look really put together!
5. Oils & Spices
Your floating shelf is also the perfect spot to store everyday essentials like oils and spices. Having them right there makes it super easy to grab them when you need them.
Plus, it adds a nice touch to your kitchen. Especially if you use oil dispensers or salt and pepper shakers that match your decor like they do in the image above.
It’s a simple change, but it really makes a big difference!
6. Vary Heights
Here’s another neat example of how you can make your floating shelf not just look good, but also be really useful.
For the perfect look when you’re styling your shelf, be sure to mix up the heights of your decor items. It adds a lot more visual interest. Just like she has done here.
You could go for something tall like a vase or a jar, or even elevate your flour jar by putting it on top of a coffee table book.
Then, mix in smaller items for decoration and actual use, like those adorable little jars with spoons. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between looks and function!
7. Dishware Only
Another option is to use your wall shelves for storing all your dishware.
I love how she decorated her shelves with a mix of white dishes and some patterned ones, along with different materials.
It really adds some flair and makes the whole setup much more eye-catching.
8. A Place for Your Utensils
A nice utensil holder doesn’t just make your kitchen shelf look fancier. It is also perfect for practical use.
If you’re always reaching for utensils, having them in a cute holder makes life easier and adds a nice look to your decor.
And when you mix in other stuff like coffee table books, flowers, or meaningful pictures, it makes your wood shelves pop.
9. Black, White & Wood
I love this combo because the wood adds some balance to the sleek black and white setup. And here we have another cool idea for storing your kitchen utensils.
If you’re not into using a utensil holder, you can hang them all on hooks attached to your floating shelf instead. I’ll drop a link below if you wanna check it out!
10. Use a Tray
Using a tray isn’t just about making things look good. It’s also handy for keeping certain items organized.
Take this example, where she placed salt and pepper shakers, a potted plant, and other small decor items on a tray. It ties everything together and creates a cohesive look.
11. Fill Up Empty Space
Got some available space in your kitchen? Perfect! That’s the perfect opportunity to hang up some floating shelves.
It can turn into a cozy little corner where you stash all your baking essentials or whatever else you need handy.
Place some decorative stuff on the top shelf for looks, and keep the lower shelves for things you use all the time.
12. White Floating Shelves
White floating shelves are a great way to add some brightness to your kitchen. Plus, they make other decor items stand out even more! It’ll give your kitchen such a nice look.
13. Very Small Floating Shelves
Even if your floating shelves are tiny, you can still make them stand out!
If you’re not using them for storage, just deck them out with coffee table books (or cookbooks), vases, baskets, and artwork. The key is just to make sure it all fits your personal style!
14. Corner Shelves
You can either stop your floating shelves at a certain point, or you could extend them and add a shelf at a right angle to create a corner shelf.
I think it looks smoother this way, and you’ll have extra space for things like a cute little lamp. If your kitchen has the room for it, it can really add a cozy vibe!
15. Add Lights Under the Shelves
Adding some lighting to your floating shelf will absolutely make it feel cozy and look awesome. Especially in the morning, it’s way easier on the eyes than harsh overhead lights.
You can try using these under cabinet lights. They’re super easy to attach to your shelves.
16. Install Sconces
I find installing sconces is the easiest way to add a touch of elegance to any space!
So, think about putting up two sconces above your shelves if you can. It’ll tie everything together and give your setup a warm glow.
17. Add in Some String Lights
String lights aren’t just for Christmas. I find they’re perfect for adding coziness all year round! You can get creative and use them in so many ways.
Try draping them along your shelf, popping them into mason jars with some faux flowers or greenery (trust me, it looks awesome!), or even just draping them over some faux greenery. Just some ideas!
18. Create a Coffee Station
For all you coffee lovers out there, having your own coffee station is like a dream come true! If you’ve got some extra space in your kitchen or dining room, why not create your own?
Just pop up two floating shelves and use your counter as the coffee bar. Or grab a console table or something similar that fits your space.
Then, deck out your shelves with some fake greenery, cute coffee signs, and, of course, plenty of mugs!
Related posts: 26 Best Countertop Coffee Station Ideas for Small Spaces
27 Best Kitchen Utensil Holder Ideas to Organize Your Stuff
31 Stunning Tray Decor Ideas for Your Entire Space
19. Prints or Artwork
Adding prints or artwork that matches your kitchen’s style can totally take your space up a notch and become a focal point on your shelves.
And don’t forget about smaller items, like that adorable candle that kinda looks like a flower! When everything matches and complements each other, it pulls the whole look together and makes it feel super cozy.
20. Add a LED Sign
That LED coffee sign is like the final touch that makes the setup stand out and adds a unique touch.
If you’ve got a coffee station in your kitchen, definitely think about adding one if it matches your style. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I think it gives off such cozy café vibes—I love it!
21. Place Your Cookbooks Up There
Not sure what to do with all your cookbooks? Well, if you’ve still got some space left on your floating shelves, here’s an easy solution: store them up there!
They add a nice pop of color, and most of them look pretty stylish, so no worries there.
Plus, it’s super practical. Because this way, you’ll have your cookbooks right at hand whenever you need them.
22. A Place for Your Vintage Finds
Your wall shelves are the perfect place to bring in some personality. Think about mixing in some of your favorite vintage finds to spice things up.
Plus, a cute cake stand, or large utensil holder, whether it’s vintage or not, is a great way to add some height and make your display more eye-catching.
(In the image below, you can also see how using a cake stand adds some height variation to the setup.)
23. Make Your Floating Shelf Match Your Backsplash
If you can, matching your floating shelf to your kitchen backsplash is a genius move! It makes the whole space look totally pulled together and coordinated.
Your shelf will blend right in with the backsplash, making your kitchen look even more stylish overall.
24. Monochrome Color Scheme
Black and white is such a timeless combination! Combine a lighter wooden floating shelf with black and white decor and you got a super chic look.
Now, this example is more about looking pretty than being super practical. But that’s totally fine! Especially if you don’t need extra storage space.
At the end of the day, it’s all about what works for you.
25. Keep it Very Minimal
If you’re all about keeping it simple, then you’ll love this idea! Just pop one standout decor item on your shelves, like a big vase that fits your kitchen’s style. Just like she did here. Sometimes, less is more.
26. Bring in the Colors
Here’s something “a little” different to what we’ve seen before. But if you’re all about a bright and light vibe, then this idea is perfect for you.
Pick some floating shelves in a cheerful, bright color and add even more color accents with your decor. This will give your kitchen a playful and cheerful look!
27. Stick to a Neutral Palette
Alright, let’s switch back to neutrals. I’m really into how she styled her shelves, especially with that dark wooden spoon. It definitely is a unique touch!
But it totally balances out the look and adds some depth. Makes things feel less matchy-matchy and more lively.
As you can see in the image below, mixing different wood tones can really make everything look great. But it’s always a good idea to experiment and find the right balance.
28. Rustic Kitchen Shelf Decor Ideas
If you’re into that rustic vibe, you’re gonna love this idea! Mix up some wooden decor with white ceramics for a nice balance.
Throw in some candle holders and pitchers to add height, and maybe even place pitchers on a stack of plates for a neat look. Then fill in the gaps with smaller stuff like bowls. It’ll all come together nicely!
29. Switch it Up for the Holidays
Let’s not forget about the holidays! Switching up your decor for each season or holiday is an easy way to keep things interesting.
For Christmas, you could throw in some Christmas trees and, of course, candles. Although they work all year round, haha.
And don’t forget a wreath, which you can swap out for every season. In autumn or Halloween, you could go for pumpkins and add in some lanterns.
And for summer and spring, why not go all out with some faux tulips or sunflowers in a cute vase, or bring in some beachy elements?
There’s so much you can do, but those are just a few ideas to get you started!
I hope this post gave you some good tips on how to decorate floating shelves in a kitchen! If you’re feeling inspired by these kitchen floating shelves decor ideas, let me know how you plan to style your own!
This post showed you how to decorate floating shelves in a kitchen
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