How to Install Open Shelving in Your Kitchen

Shelving is the backbone of a functional kitchen, and moving from closed cabinets to open displays transforms the room into a workspace that feels lighter and more efficient. By eliminating heavy cabinet doors, you force yourself to keep only your most used items within reach, cutting down on daily clutter while showcasing the textures of your dishware. Done well, open shelving is rock solid and perfectly level, blending into the room's aesthetic while holding the weight of stoneware and glassware without sagging. The secret lies entirely in the prep—specifically finding the studs and ensuring your horizontal lines are true. If you rush the mounting hardware, you will be looking at crooked shelves and drywall patches for years to come.

  1. Find the studs first. Use a high-quality stud finder to identify the vertical framing members behind your drywall. Mark the center of each stud with a pencil and use a level to draw a vertical plumb line upwards, ensuring you have enough room for your shelf placement.
  2. Mark your level line. Determine your desired height and mark the top point for your first bracket on the leftmost stud. Use a long spirit level to transfer this mark across all studs to ensure a perfectly horizontal installation line.
  3. Screw brackets tight. Hold your first bracket against the wall at your mark and drive wood screws directly into the stud. Repeat this for all brackets, using a level across the top of the brackets as you go to ensure they are aligned with one another.
  4. Sand and seal wood. Measure your distance between brackets and cut your shelving lumber to length using a miter saw for a clean, square edge. Sand the wood thoroughly with 120-grit followed by 220-grit sandpaper, then apply your chosen stain or protective sealant.
  5. Lock shelves down. Place your boards onto the mounted brackets, centering them to ensure equal overhang on the ends. Use small screws provided with the brackets to fasten the shelf to the bracket from underneath, locking them into place.
  6. Test and verify. Wipe down the shelves with a tack cloth to remove any construction dust. Perform a weight test by placing heavier items on the shelf first, observing for any movement or flexing in the brackets.