7 Ways to Add More Display Space to Your Kitchen
Show off those pretty plates, small artworks and trailing plants by factoring dedicated display spaces into your design
When you’re planning a kitchen renovation or upgrade, don’t forget to include display space for favourite decorative items to bring warmth and character to the space. Increasingly, we see open shelving replacing wall units in projects uploaded by designers on Houzz, but there are so many more ways you can also show off that treasured vintage coffee set, your favourite small painting or print, a glassware collection – or simply lots of plants. Check out these ideas for inspiration.
Add an antique dresser
A dresser is the absolute classic when it comes to creating space for display and visible storage in the kitchen. This design provides three shelves and a deeper worktop to play with and is perfect in this house owned by keen collectors.
Plates stand up, facing forwards, on the tall, internal shelves for full decorative effect (there should generally be a ridge to stop them sliding), while hooks can be added from which to hang cups. The top of the dresser here has also been put to use for displaying a collection of vintage tins.
This lovely old piece has been further highlighted with the addition of vintage table lamps on the wider surface and a string of fairy lights snaking through the cups.
The whole thing could also be used for displaying framed photos or other collections – jugs, vases, glasses, mason jars full of dry provisions and so on.
A dresser is the absolute classic when it comes to creating space for display and visible storage in the kitchen. This design provides three shelves and a deeper worktop to play with and is perfect in this house owned by keen collectors.
Plates stand up, facing forwards, on the tall, internal shelves for full decorative effect (there should generally be a ridge to stop them sliding), while hooks can be added from which to hang cups. The top of the dresser here has also been put to use for displaying a collection of vintage tins.
This lovely old piece has been further highlighted with the addition of vintage table lamps on the wider surface and a string of fairy lights snaking through the cups.
The whole thing could also be used for displaying framed photos or other collections – jugs, vases, glasses, mason jars full of dry provisions and so on.
Pop in a plate rack
Not only does this built-in wooden plate rack decoratively break up the bulk of overhead cabinetry, creating a visual pause, it’s also immensely practical, particularly when positioned over a sink, where it can be used for its original, non decorative purpose: drying crockery. You’ll also free up a drawer or cupboard, which can be used to stash less attractive kit.
Front-facing racks are also an option if you have particularly pretty plates you’d like to display. Either type of rack could also be sourced as a freestanding model, antique or modern, and added retrospectively.
Keen to revamp your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer in your area.
Not only does this built-in wooden plate rack decoratively break up the bulk of overhead cabinetry, creating a visual pause, it’s also immensely practical, particularly when positioned over a sink, where it can be used for its original, non decorative purpose: drying crockery. You’ll also free up a drawer or cupboard, which can be used to stash less attractive kit.
Front-facing racks are also an option if you have particularly pretty plates you’d like to display. Either type of rack could also be sourced as a freestanding model, antique or modern, and added retrospectively.
Keen to revamp your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer in your area.
Maximise a screen
So many of the home bars we see on Houzz are not only functional, they’re nice pieces to look at, too – often mirrored, backlit or, as here, perforated and plant-enhanced.
This bespoke construction was designed by Camila Rodrigues of COR London and acts as a divider in a flat; there’s a staircase dropping down behind it, on the other side of which is a living room space. The screen turns the flat section of banister into a safe display space – currently for pottery – and allows a leafy trailing plant, pretty bottles and sparkling glassware to be on show on a combination of shelf and hangers above.
The perforations mean the structure doesn’t block light and allows the display to also been seen by anyone sitting on the sofa.
See how the rest of the space works in our tour of the project.
So many of the home bars we see on Houzz are not only functional, they’re nice pieces to look at, too – often mirrored, backlit or, as here, perforated and plant-enhanced.
This bespoke construction was designed by Camila Rodrigues of COR London and acts as a divider in a flat; there’s a staircase dropping down behind it, on the other side of which is a living room space. The screen turns the flat section of banister into a safe display space – currently for pottery – and allows a leafy trailing plant, pretty bottles and sparkling glassware to be on show on a combination of shelf and hangers above.
The perforations mean the structure doesn’t block light and allows the display to also been seen by anyone sitting on the sofa.
See how the rest of the space works in our tour of the project.
Hang up with hooks
This brass bar is reasonably short and yet shows just how much character a simple horizontal rod can add to a kitchen.
The warm metal rail with matching S-hooks provides ample space for displaying any attractive everyday kitchen items suitable for hanging from a hook, including cups, a kitchen roll dispenser, some nice-looking brushes and even a small coffee pot.
The shelf above enhances the whole effect (as well, of course, as being a useful surface from which to hang the rail), and the whole can be highlighted by the light of the wall lamp.
This brass bar is reasonably short and yet shows just how much character a simple horizontal rod can add to a kitchen.
The warm metal rail with matching S-hooks provides ample space for displaying any attractive everyday kitchen items suitable for hanging from a hook, including cups, a kitchen roll dispenser, some nice-looking brushes and even a small coffee pot.
The shelf above enhances the whole effect (as well, of course, as being a useful surface from which to hang the rail), and the whole can be highlighted by the light of the wall lamp.
Raise the bar
A new rooflight, like this one in a Red Squirrel Architects project, is a common feature when a kitchen gains a rear extension. Yes, it brings in natural light, but it can also be put to even more practical and decorative use with the addition of one or two bars across it (this has two forming a cross).
You can use it to anchor a long-cable pendant, as well as for hanging plants, and it would come in handy for dangling seasonal bunting or paper chains from, too.
As long as the bar is securely fitted at either end, you could opt for wood, a wardrobe rail or exposed or painted metal if you need something sturdy.
A new rooflight, like this one in a Red Squirrel Architects project, is a common feature when a kitchen gains a rear extension. Yes, it brings in natural light, but it can also be put to even more practical and decorative use with the addition of one or two bars across it (this has two forming a cross).
You can use it to anchor a long-cable pendant, as well as for hanging plants, and it would come in handy for dangling seasonal bunting or paper chains from, too.
As long as the bar is securely fitted at either end, you could opt for wood, a wardrobe rail or exposed or painted metal if you need something sturdy.
Boost a beam
There are so many great display ideas in this lovely Edwards Rensen Architects-designed kitchen, but let’s start with that pink-painted steel beam. We’ve seen a good few of these put to use for display and light storage purposes (they’re handily just the right size for paperback books), but here, plants hang down.
In time, you could imagine it being filled with other attractive objets, too. Anything from little jugs to flea market finds, favourite postcards, old photographs and travel souvenirs would look great.
The idea also shows that exposing this kind of structural feature doesn’t need to look industrial. Painting it pink (especially when combined with the green-framed glazing) creates a different feel entirely.
As a side note, check out the back-painted, divided shelving beneath the island, perfect again for showing off anything from recipe books to serveware. The high shelf above the hob worktop is also capacious and the mirror behind creates a light and bright trompe l’oeil.
Tell us…
What do you love having on show in your kitchen – and where is it displayed? Let us know in the Comments.
There are so many great display ideas in this lovely Edwards Rensen Architects-designed kitchen, but let’s start with that pink-painted steel beam. We’ve seen a good few of these put to use for display and light storage purposes (they’re handily just the right size for paperback books), but here, plants hang down.
In time, you could imagine it being filled with other attractive objets, too. Anything from little jugs to flea market finds, favourite postcards, old photographs and travel souvenirs would look great.
The idea also shows that exposing this kind of structural feature doesn’t need to look industrial. Painting it pink (especially when combined with the green-framed glazing) creates a different feel entirely.
As a side note, check out the back-painted, divided shelving beneath the island, perfect again for showing off anything from recipe books to serveware. The high shelf above the hob worktop is also capacious and the mirror behind creates a light and bright trompe l’oeil.
Tell us…
What do you love having on show in your kitchen – and where is it displayed? Let us know in the Comments.
Oriel windows (which protrude to the exterior) aren’t the only way to get yourself a deeper sill and frame, as demonstrated in interior designer Gemma Fabbri’s kitchen, seen here. Simply building a deeper window surround, which Gemma did with pale plywood, will not only give you a similar look, it will also create a top surface for display.
Here, Gemma’s used it to hold trailing plants, connecting the kitchen nicely with the garden, but it could equally house favourite ceramics or artworks.
Explore the whole of this kitchen redesign.