Kitchen Rack and Shelf Design: Open Storage Ideas
Racks and shelves are the fastest way to add storage to an Indian kitchen. They cost less than cabinets, go up in a day and keep daily things in sight, if you place them well.
- Oil pull-out width
- 6 to 9 in (Design Cafe)
- Wall organiser
- Needs at least 285 mm cabinet depth (Hettich)
- Dish drainer fits
- 600 and 900 mm wall cabinets (Hettich)
- Wall unit depth
- 12 to 14 in in small kitchens (Design Cafe)
- Above the hob
- No shelves or cabinets (LPG guidance)
16 Kitchen Rack and Shelf Design ideas
Floating Oak Shelves Over Counter
Two floating oak shelves above the counter hold glass jars of dal and rice. Keep them away from the hob and seal the wood against steam.
Stainless Steel Wall Rack Grid
A steel grid rack with hooks and small baskets keeps ladles, graters and sponges off the counter. Choose 304 steel, which Ruhe says resists corrosion better than 202.
Pull-Out Spice Rack Beside Hob
A tall narrow pull-out next to the hob holds spice jars and oil bottles at arm's reach. Design Cafe lists 6 to 9 in as the width for such units.
Copper Rail With Hanging Mugs
A copper rail with S-hooks under the wall cabinets holds mugs, ladles and small pans. It adds warmth and frees up a shelf. Polish the rail now and then.
Corner Triangular Shelves
Triangular corner shelves turn a dead corner into storage for pickles and small jars. Use rounded edges so you do not bump into them. Fix them into brick, not plaster.
Industrial Pipe Shelf Unit
Black pipe and wood plank shelves give an industrial look and carry heavy loads like a mixer grinder and cooker set. Fix the flanges into solid wall so the load is safe.
Plate And Thali Rack
A vertical plate and thali rack lets steel plates drip-dry and stay upright. Mount it above the sink drain board. A tray underneath catches drips and protects the counter.
Magnetic Knife And Spice Strip
A magnetic strip holds knives and steel spice tins on the wall. Keep it out of children's reach and away from the hob. It frees a whole drawer.
Under Shelf Hanging Baskets
Clip-on baskets under an existing shelf double its storage for foil, cling wrap and napkins. No drilling needed. Choose coated wire so it does not rust in the steam, and leave enough gap to lift items out.
Open Shelf Wall Instead Of Cabinets
An entire wall of open shelves in place of upper cabinets keeps a small kitchen airy. Store only daily items here to keep dust under control.
Bamboo Tiered Counter Rack
A tiered bamboo counter rack holds daily masala jars and tea and sugar tins in one spot. Easy to move when cleaning. Wipe it dry so it does not mould.
Wall Cabinet Dish Drainer
A dish drainer inside a wall cabinet over the sink hides drying plates. Hettich says these fit 600 and 900 mm wall cabinets. Empty the tray daily.
Ladder Shelf For Small Kitchen
A leaning ladder shelf gives open storage without drilling. It is a renter favourite for plants, cookbooks and small appliances. Put heavier items on the lowest rungs for stability.
Window Sill Herb Shelf
A narrow shelf across the kitchen window holds tulsi, mint and coriander in small pots. Good light, and fresh herbs at hand. Water them in the morning before cooking starts.
Tall Rolling Rack Between Units
A slim rolling rack slides into a gap between the fridge and the wall. It holds bottles, spices and cling film. Measure the gap before buying, since these come in a few fixed widths.
Brass Bracket Display Shelf
A single shelf on brass brackets displays brass and copper ware away from the cooking zone. Polish them monthly. Deep green walls make the metal glow.
Illustrative design concepts. Sizes, finishes and prices vary by maker and city, so confirm details with your designer or carpenter.
Indian kitchens hold more things than most: steel dabbas in four sizes, a masala box, a pressure cooker set, tava, kadhai, a mixer grinder and a shelf of pickles. Racks and shelves help when cabinets run out, and in many rented homes they are the only storage you can add.
This page covers open wall shelves, modular kitchen racks, spice racks, utensil rails and plate racks, with where each works and what to avoid. The designs below range from a simple steel rail to a full open shelf wall.
Where racks and shelves work best
Open storage works for things you use every day and wash often: plates, glasses, masala jars, tea and sugar tins. It is less suited to rarely used items, which collect oil and dust. The most important rule is safety. LPG consumer guidance from the oil companies says there should be no shelves or storage cabinets above the hot plate. Keep shelves to the sink side and prep zone, and keep the area above the hob for the chimney.
Types of kitchen racks and shelves
| Type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Floating wooden shelves | Jars, plates, a warm look | Seal wood; check wall anchors |
| Steel wall rack or grid | Tools, sponges, ladles | Choose good grade steel near water |
| Rail with S-hooks | Mugs, ladles, small pans | Keep away from the hob |
| Pull-out spice rack | Masala, oil bottles | Needs a good runner |
| Plate and thali rack | Drip-drying steel plates | Needs a drain tray |
| Ladder or rolling rack | Rentals, gaps beside fridge | Can tip if overloaded |
Ruhe notes that SS 304 is more corrosion resistant than SS 202, which is worth remembering for racks near the sink in coastal cities.
Modular kitchen racks and spice pull-outs
If you are installing a modular kitchen, a few racks belong inside the cabinets. Design Cafe lists oil pull-outs at 6 to 9 in wide, ideal right beside the hob. Hettich makes wicker baskets for 400, 500 and 600 mm base units, dish drainers for 600 and 900 mm wall cabinets, and wall organisers that need a cabinet at least 285 mm deep. A spice rack in a modular kitchen usually sits in that narrow pull-out or in a shallow drawer with tiered inserts. See our cabinet sizes guide and the kitchen trolley design page for more.
How to plan your open shelves
- List what goes up: only daily items. Count jars and plates.
- Pick the wall: sink side or prep side, never over the hob.
- Set the height: the lowest shelf about where a wall cabinet would start, which Design Cafe puts at 18 to 21 in above the counter.
- Keep depth shallow: Design Cafe gives 12 to 14 in for wall units in small kitchens; shelves can be even shallower.
- Fix firmly: heavy steel dabbas need proper anchors into brick or concrete, not just plaster.
Keeping open storage clean
Open shelves look best when they are a little sparse. Use matching jars, wipe shelves weekly with warm soapy water and rotate items so nothing sits untouched for months. Avoid paper liners on shelves near the cooking area, since they soak up oil and are hard to replace neatly; a wipeable shelf liner or bare sealed wood is easier. A strong chimney helps more than anything else, because less oil in the air means less sticky film on your shelves. See kitchen chimney and hob design for sizing.
Racks for small and rented kitchens
In a small or rented kitchen, look for storage that needs no carpentry: ladder shelves, rolling racks, over-the-door hooks, clip-on baskets and tiered counter racks. They move with you. Check weight limits on the packaging and keep heavier items low so racks do not tip when you pull something out. For more space-saving ideas see small kitchen design and simple kitchen design.
Frequently asked questions
Which material is best for a kitchen rack?
Stainless steel is the most practical near water because it does not rot or swell; Ruhe notes SS 304 resists corrosion better than SS 202. Sealed wood looks warm and suits shelves away from the sink. Powder-coated metal is a good budget choice for dry areas.
Kitchen mein open shelf kahan lagaye?
Put open shelves on the sink side or above the prep counter, not above the gas stove. LPG consumer guidance says there should be no shelves or storage cabinets above the hot plate. Keep daily items on open shelves and rarely used vessels in closed storage.
What is the standard width of a spice pull-out?
Design Cafe lists oil pull-outs at 6 to 9 in wide. These narrow tall units fit beside the hob and hold oil bottles and spice jars. Wider units can take more jars, but they take counter width from drawers or the hob.
How do I stop open shelves getting oily?
Keep them away from the hob, run the chimney every time you cook and wipe shelves weekly with warm soapy water. Use glass or steel jars with lids so oil does not settle on food. Store only daily items so everything gets washed often.
Are modular kitchen racks worth the cost?
A few are: a pull-out oil and spice unit near the hob, a dish drainer above the sink and deep drawers for vessels. Fancy corner systems or many baskets add cost without always adding use. Choose based on what you actually cook and store.
Can I add racks in a rented kitchen without drilling?
Yes. Ladder shelves, rolling racks, clip-on baskets, tiered counter racks and over-the-door hooks all work without drilling. Adhesive hooks hold light items like towels. For anything heavy such as dabbas, ask the owner about drilling into the wall.
Sources: Design Cafe: standard kitchen dimensions · Hettich: Kitchen Design Collection Book Vol III · PMUY: LPG consumer guidance · Ruhe: 202 vs 304 sinks. Figures checked 14 October 2026; prices and rates change, so confirm locally.