Please help me with my open plan kitchen shelves!

[Namechangedforthisoct2]

Hello, I’m half way through trying to build open plan rustic kitchen shelves...... as you can see from the pics it isn’t working!!
I have limited storage, hoping to get more things like pans out (I have some nice orange le creuset pans), mixing bowls etc - and then put the packaged food hidden into the cupboard space.

I have a handyman coming in the next few weeks to finish this off so need to get it planned ASAP.

These are my thoughts - but would please love some ideas as it doesn’t look at all how I wanted it!!

1 - add a cast iron glass holder above the microwave attached to the bottom of the shelf below (seen someone on Etsy who can make this to size and is cheap)

2 - add an old fashioned pan rack above the window to hand pans off

3 - add the extra shelf shown in pic?

4 - change all the fixings to cast iron lip shelf brackets (I’ll post a pic below)

5 - I’d also like to add somewhere to hang my utensils - but where?!?!

Thanks in advance 🙏🏽

Shelf brackets
Wine rack idea for left hand side above microwave

Also I was thinking of scrapping the splash back and replacing with black metro tiles under the shelves, in place of splash back and round to window ledge

I know that I'm possibly answering a different question but I think it might not be looking like you want it because things aren't symmetrical. Open shelves by their nature are going to look busy so to make it look pleasing you need to start with things as similar as they can be.

If I was you I'd move the middle shelf on the right up into line with where you're going to add the extra shelf.

You're fighting the fact that your oven isn't in the middle but to add to this the splashback isn't centred with the extractor above it. If you're going to change it anyway then make sure the tiles stop at the edges of the extractor. I wouldn't extend them to the window ledge as you'll have another different line.

Like you suggested, changing your brackets might be good. I think the ones on the top shelf especially are very large so might be limiting where you can put your shelves. The only issue with that might be that Le Crueset is very very heavy to have on a shelf!

Have you thought about something like this for your pots/pans/utensils, you can winch it up and down! pulleymaid.com/ceiling-flat-rack.htm?gclid=CjwKCAiAnvj9BRA4EiwAuUMDf0Nz7_uxKHBKHG0AttlLeboUt3muW31wD2_BSaXDKO_BXE5NHqHeUBoCHaoQAvD_BwE

Thank you @SollaSollew, you are spot on!!
Now I look at the images I 100% understand what you’re saying. It’s almost like I’ve been too in the thick of renovations to be able to see this objectively.
I’m going to pop down to the wood merchants tomorrow and see what boards they have to even it up and will do as you’re suggesting as agree that should make a huge difference.
Also I love the pan rack and so will order that!

Thank you - I’ve been really stuck with this.

You’re very welcome. As someone going through their own kitchen renovation at the moment I know what it’s like when you’re in the thick of it and can’t see the wood for the trees!

I had open shelving in my last kitchen, one two different walls

above the sink `I had Ikea shelving and used extra extra long raw plugs to fix ghem securely and they are very secure and would hold three le cruset pans and a frying pan, 6 plates, bowls and small plates on the second shelf down

I went for putting the shelves int he middles and putting crockery and glass on the shelves as the items can be placed decoratively as well as being practical. Plus crockery gets washed regularly so limits dusting

the other poster is correct - you don't have even spaces which makes life more difficult

www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/kitchens/g2190/open-shelving-roundup/

the above works by bringing the shelving round, but not sure you have the room for that?

www.amazon.co.uk/OROPY-Industrial-Hanging-Utensils-Organizer/dp/B07D1MMBJ8/ref=sr_1_26_sspa?dchild=1&psc=1&keywords=wrought+iron+pan+stand&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzS0VLVklZTjNGSFRHJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjM5ODExM1ZLTEJPQUxWSFUwViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjg3MTA0MlNWTllCUUxRVVQ0RSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1606326209&sr=8-26-spons

id get two pan racks made to measure for the left hand side of cooker

then have four equal shelves or the right hand side - but not up so high as you have the shelf now

that way hopefully it'll look more balanced without being the same each side

I second everything solla said.

1. It needs to be symmetrical and evenly spaced.

1. Open shelves aren't for large amounts of stuff. When you look in mags it's always a couple of artfully placed items and a few trailing plants... I would take out a few pretty pots or bowls from your cupboards and put them up. Hide the cereals and spices away. At a push if you got naice uniform jars and decanted everything you might get away with it but it would look very dense.

Thank you @ivykaty44 @dudsville @RednaxelasLunch

I’m taking down all but the top shelf and am going to put new scaffolding plank shelf’s in two symmetrical levels either side of the oven.

I’ve also ordered the handing pots rack for above the window and some cupboard drawer storage so I can hide more stuff away.

Great ideas, thank you again.

hope it all goes well

Thank you Ivy :)

Would you suggest:

White tiles
Black tiles
Patterned tiles
A black upstand to match the work surfaces?

Hi what about these black/white/pattern tiles www.mandarinstone.com/product/monochrome-decor-porcelain/

They are rustic enough to cope with the scaffold boards, as I think more delicate tiles will be lost. If you put it with the symmetry on Rednaxelislunch’s picture and cull the clutter, it will look great.

If you're going for the rustic look I would suggest

www.diy.com/departments/windsor-sage-gloss-ceramic-wall-tile-pack-of-30-l-300mm-w-100mm/8690427931432_BQ.prd?storeId=1047&ds_rl=1272379&ds_rl=1272409&ds_rl=1272379&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwf39BRCCARIsALXWETyQqlLMG42awIL7BcjPEQNFOt4JXW_ojOT8IX-qQK4Hl_cBotoCAJgaAvxMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds for the coffee shop look

these are nice below

www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk/harmony-sky.html?qty=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwf39BRCCARIsALXWETwTq7ujI8UkSYsSNXjzhA6RWFjBCSuncYztoX0ctHvDDv15XcMt41oaAnVjEALw_wcB#fo_c=1485&fo_k=c826cc203c18ce10954f93541fbc1924&fo_s=gplauk&fo_oid=4744

www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/vibe-grey-mosaic-patterned-wall-and-floor-tiles-223-x-223mm?campaign=googlebase&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwf39BRCCARIsALXWETy9VJ4zDmnx-tAHayBNAEKnYgEl39cuwZkkY-YoOCt19aibpIESH2AaArigEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
my local coffee shop has this type of tiles with chunky floating shelves and it looks fab

do at me when its finished with photographs please...!

I agree they need to be evenly spaced, and I think the top one is too close to the ceiling and makes it look lower/dark. We have open shelves. They were mega cheap - scaffolding boards stained darker.

A pic:

Thank you @Nightowlsleeps those tiles are fab!
Love the black / grey / white mosaic tiles @ivykaty44 they’re gorgeous.
You’ve both led me on a google search and found this:
www.tilemountain.co.uk/p/metropolis-star-wall-and-floor-tile-45x45cm.html
Do you think they’ll work?
I love the stars! If not will probably get the Victorian plumbing grey mosaic ones.

@Peachypips78 oh your kitchen is gorgeous! I definitely have kitchen envy now! Love the fairy lights and bright colours, thanks for sharing.

The problem I have is very little storage so I do need to use the shelves more than I’d like. I’ve bought a new scaffold plank today that’s lighter and a bit thinner.

Hadn’t thought about moving the top shelf down a little so when I put on the new brackets will try that thanks.

I’ll definitely post a pic when it’s done!

Thank you again everyone for your help, I really appreciate it

Maybe if you can decant some things or group them they will not be as cluttered but create more storage

I’m not sure what things you have on the shelf in the middle, but if condiments and spices, get some containers or baskets and group them. So you have less small items.

Something like these
www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/beroemlig-tin-with-lid-set-of-2-beige-00333264/

Plates, bowls all on one shelf.

Thanks @Caspianberg that’s a good idea and those storage containers would work with the overall look