Anne Hathaway's 'uber-modern' kitchen shelving is the stuff of minimalist dreams – it is worthy of the finest art galleries

In any size kitchen, there is one ingredient that will maximize space and make it look beautiful – good, decorative storage.

Be they decorated with ceramics, vintage glassware, plants, or recipe books, the perfect kitchen shelving ideas can be used to add individual style to a modern 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 unique display are important to personalize the space and add interest, giving a more relaxed and welcoming feel.’

American actress Anne Hathaway's former NYC home is a triumph of architectural ambition. Designed by Gramercy Design, a boutique design studio based in New York City, Anne's minimalist kitchen with museum-worthy shelving embraces the popular kitchen trend for delightfully decorative displays.

Not everything needs to be hidden away when it comes to storage. Decorative kitchen storage ideas and solutions can make a kitchen look more expensive.

Architect Ben Allen of Studio Ben Allen emphasises the practical function of shelving above the countertop in kitchen design.

‘We love providing space to display all things cooking and food related, so we often design open shelves,’ he says. ‘On the lowest shelf, there will be space for items that are used every day – salt and pepper, oil and vinegar, perhaps an open bottle of wine and pots of herbs.’

He might add a rail for hanging tea towels, cooking implements, small pans, or strings of onions and garlic. Higher shelves can be used for attractive cups, teapots, and fine china, and variations in height and depth can bring playful touches to the design.

However, if you want to replicate Anne's 17-foot-tall kitchen shelving, you'll need to exercise a little restraint when decorating. The shelving (above) is more worthy of a modern art gallery than a family home, but it is certainly interesting, acting as a piece of kitchen art rather than a practical choice.

To avoid a predominantly white kitchen from looking cold or clinical, dial up the visual interest with light touches of taupe, sand, and beige tones. The final result is a masterpiece of style and substance.

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