Anne Hathaway’s Kitchen Storage Is Stylish, Practical, and One-of-a-Kind – The Most Important Element in Any Cooking Space

In any size kitchen, there is one ingredient that will maximize space and make it look exceptional – thoughtful, creative storage. Actress Anne Hathaway's kitchen, designed by Pamela Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri, is the perfect example of a space that beautifully blends design-led open shelving with practical and useful closed kitchen cabinet storage – a hallmark of contemporary design for 2025 and 2026.

With the kitchen coming under increasing pressure to perform a variety of crucial roles, such as family dining, working, relaxing and entertaining, a good layout and adequate kitchen storage ideas are more important than ever. High-capacity, well-sited storage is essential to keep everything tidy, providing space that's free of clutter and a pleasure to use. This quest for visual calm is central to the popular quiet luxury trend.

In Anne Hathaway's modern rustic kitchen, a combination of clever storage is key to the room's balance. But where to start?

When designing a kitchen, start with an audit of kitchenware. ‘Working out which items you use every day and those that are for special occasions will help determine how much and what type of storage you need,’ says Dave Young, founder of Husk. Cull any redundant items first and foremost.

If it’s easy to find ingredients and equipment, cooking will be more enjoyable, while good kitchen organization and storage can make the room feel less cluttered and more spacious.

‘It is important to strike a balance between functionality and style,’ says interior designer Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co. ‘For example, incorporating open shelves for displaying objects and cookbooks can provide storage as well as create a visually appealing space.’

She also advises paying attention to the choice of color to add interest. In this space, Shamshiri painted Hathaway's cabinetry in a single standout duck egg shade. Storage is always so much more than just storage; it can be a design feature in its own right. Quite often, decorative pieces and color are all it takes.

However, using open kitchen shelving for decorative moments comes with caution. Done right and kept clutter-free, these displays can add so much individual style and personality to a neutral kitchen, moving the space beyond a purely functional area.

Be they decorated with ceramics, vintage glassware, plants, or recipe books, shelves can be used to add individual style to a kitchen, as Mike Fetherston, design director of Hetherington Newman, explains. ‘As kitchens are increasingly central to the home and where families come together for meals and to socialize, areas for display are important to personalize the space and add interest, giving a more relaxed and welcoming feel.’

Choose from floating shelves (without visible supports) to those with stylish brackets and vintage-inspired options with decorative details, similar to Hathaway's. If you have something worth putting on display, why not make a feature out of your storage?

My advice: Anything you don't want on display – from bulk spices to lesser-used appliances – hide it within well-planned, closed kitchen cabinets or in a dedicated pantry, ensuring the main space remains the heart of the home.

Shop the look

Don’t let your kitchen shelving sit bare or get cluttered with unsightly items. Use this vertical space to create a unique and beautiful display in your home. Make the kitchen the most enjoyable room with my handpicked selection of decor and accessories, perfect for styling your space.