Looking for cottage kitchen open shelves that are just as pretty as the dishes on them? Think floral plates, rows of glass jars and little plants tucked beside your favorite cups.
These kitchens give you plenty of ideas, whether you have room for one shelf or a whole corner display.
You can keep things simple or go all out with patterns. I especially love the painted plate racks and blue-and-white dishes. Start with the pieces you want to show off, then pick a few details to bring the look together.
Cottage kitchen shelf ideas worth saving
white plate rack and little pitchers
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous white plate rack. I love the two rows of upright plates with little white pitchers underneath.
Those dark brown pots at the top are such a pretty contrast.
If you want to go a step further, add a trailing plant on a neighboring shelf like the one on the right.
neutral dishes between cabinets
If you are looking for something simple to copy, this one is for you. Brown shelves sit between white cabinets, with little groups of bowls, mugs and pitchers.
Keep your dishes in shades of cream, gray and brown for a similar look. A few upright plates at the back are worth including too.
colorful books and carved brackets
How cute is this colorful book display? Not gonna lie, those carved shelf brackets are my favorite part!
The bright book spines look so pretty against the white tiles.
Try a row of your own cookbooks beside a small stack of dishes. You don’t have to stick to neutral covers here.
cream pitchers and stacked cookbooks
This little shelf corner may just be one of my favorites. I love the tall cream pitchers on top and the bowls sitting over a stack of cookbooks below.
The potted herbs beside the sink are a lovely extra touch. Add a small pot to your counter if you want to carry some greenery below the shelves.
rows of jars and basket cubbies
I am obsessed with this pantry display. The rows of clear jars look so cute above the round boards, plus those basket-filled cubbies are gorgeous.
Read also: 20 Pantry Jar Organization Ideas and Clever Shelf Setups
Try matching jar shapes on your shelves, then leave the top one for plants and larger pitchers. The little flower arrangements make this setup even prettier.
Read also: 20 Country Decor Ideas for Above Kitchen Cabinets and Beyond
floral teapots by the window
The floral dish fans are going to love this! There are pink flowers on the teapots and mugs, with patterned plates hanging below the shelves.
You can mix different floral designs rather than finding one matching set. Keep some plain glass jars between them like the ones here.
a framed dish display
Don’t want to fill a whole wall with shelves? No problem!
This framed wall unit holds stacked plates, floral cups and a tall white pitcher in one little display.
I love the large floral plate in the middle. Pick a favorite plate for that spot, then hang a few mugs from a rail underneath.
copper-colored pans and red checks
If you are looking for a kitchen with lots of little details, then this one is for you. There are pantry jars above the window, hanging pans and red checked curtains.
I especially love the copper-colored pans lined up across the glass. For a smaller version, try a pair on a properly secured rail beneath your shelf.
cream dishes and triangular brackets
This is another pretty way to mix open shelves with hanging pans. I love the large triangular brackets and the cream lidded pots up top.
Stack your everyday plates on the lowest shelf to follow this arrangement. The little plants along the counter are cute without filling every spot.
green checks and pink flowers
OMG, how adorable is this green-and-pink kitchen? The checked curtain below the counter and the floral pitchers are so sweet together.
The shelves repeat those same colors with green pieces, pale dishes and pink flowers. Try a checked oven mitt on the rail if you only want a small touch of the pattern.
corner shelves and botanical pictures
I am obsessed with these shelves that wrap around the corner. The framed botanical pictures look gorgeous behind the gold-colored pitchers and little plants.
Read also: 20 Studio Apartment Room Divider Ideas for Your Small Space
There’s room for pantry jars, books and stacked dishes too. Lean a small picture behind your mugs if you want to bring that same detail onto a lower shelf.
Read also: 20 Open Shelf Styling Ideas With Books, Baskets and Pretty Everyday Pieces
blue-and-white dishes
Who doesn’t love a blue-and-white kitchen display? The patterned jars and plates are so pretty, especially with those blue and white flowers beside the window.
Start with a few patterned pieces on your shelves. Then mix in plain white plates like the stacks below.
You don’t need a pattern on every single dish.
one long shelf above the sink
Don’t want to go overboard with your shelf display? No problem there!
This single long shelf has stacked plates, clear glasses and a trailing plant at one end.
I love the gold-colored rail with its empty hooks underneath. You can leave a little room instead of hanging something from every hook.
neat jars and hanging mugs
If you’re looking for a tidy little shelf arrangement, go with rows of jars and a few stacked bowls. The pale mugs hanging underneath are my favorite part.
Try keeping taller jars on the upper shelf and smaller ones below. Add a plant at either end if you like the greenery shown here.
white shelves with scalloped trim
How pretty is the scalloped trim along these white shelves? The curved brackets and pale green cabinets make this such a lovely combination.
Read also: 20 White Painted Kitchen Cabinets Ideas to Inspire Your Kitchen
The shelves hold a mix of bowls, lidded containers and serving pieces. For your own version, keep decorative edging well away from cooking heat and follow your appliance’s clearance requirements.
a shelf above the window
This is such a cute way to use the space above a kitchen window. A single shelf runs between the cabinets, with glass jars on one side and a row of small potted plants on the other.
I’d keep the rest of the window area simple, just like this. The garden view already gives you plenty to look at.
white bowls and loose flower stems
If you love a simpler display, this one is for you. White bowls and plates sit in little stacks, with clear glasses along the lower shelf.
I love the tall, loose flower stems in the clear jar. Try one arrangement like this rather than adding lots of small decorations between your dishes.
floral plates between two windows
I know the blue-and-white dishes above are gorgeous, but these pink floral plates are another favorite. They look so cute with the patterned window shades.
Stand a few plates behind your cups to try this display. The plain drinking glasses on the shelf above give you a little break from all the flowers.
shelves around a small window
Have a narrow kitchen and still want room to display your dishes? This setup has a long shelf above the window plus shorter ones on both sides.
I love the little hanging cups and the row of copper-colored mugs up top. The checked window shade brings in another pretty detail without taking up shelf space.
green walls and dark brackets
Last but definitely not least, we have these shelves against a gorgeous green wall. I love the dark pipe-style brackets!
The white dishes and clear jars look so pretty beside them.
Keep a few boards behind a plant on the top shelf to follow this arrangement. That little white pitcher on the middle shelf is lovely all on its own.