The Kitchen Library - A Trend Worth Reading
In the age of smart phones and tablets, I still love cookbooks. Sure, I scroll Pinterest for some recipes, but who loves waiting for a webpage riddled with Ad’s? For me, the cookbook remains tops. Purchasing a cookbook is a pure pleasure. Maybe even a dopamine rush? Call me old school. Call me a nerd? Call me a cookbook nerd. I crave a new, hardback cookbook. I read each and every page like it was a novel.
You can find pages of my cookbooks with ear marks & stained pages from years of use. For me, these books are treasures. I can’t think of a more meaningful thing to pass on to my kids one day than a cookbook that includes recipes I made for them during their childhood, with my hand-written notes on the pages.
cookbook storage ideas | image via Whitney Durham Interiors
But that’s not why we are here. We are here today to talk about how to display these glorious works of art. Whether you have a few books, or an entire library (if it’s the latter, please let’s be friends), there are some fun ways to incorporate them into your kitchen. From impressive builtins to ready-made pieces you can have in your kitchen by the weekend, you can find it here.
Let’s dive in.
How to display cookbooks in the kitchen
cookbook builtin storage ideas | VHD Interiors
On the wall. If you love the covers of your cookbooks, or just have a smaller collection, I love the idea of a wall display. Using gallery rails, plate racks or ledge shelving allow you to display them as art.
kitchen cookbook shelves with tipping rail | source unknown
It’s also a great way to store your cutting boards. That’s what we call a win-win situation.
cookbooks display wall via image source
And can we talk about how easy it is to find one in a hurry? YES.
cookbook display ideas | Whitney Durham Interiors
2. A Custom Builtin Cookbook Display. To me, this says “you go hard”. You take your cookbook religion seriously and never miss a Sunday.
A builtin charcuterie, or plate rack wall can be great for cookbooks. Lot’s of strorage versatility with this option.
plate rack wall with cookbook storage via Simply Aligned Home
Okay, now we are getting somewhere. This glass cabinet with open shelves beneath feels so special. And the woven slatted wood on the interior of the stained cabinet? So. Well. Done.
countertop cabinet with cookbook shelves via Sanabria & co
Replacing some cabinets with open cubbies in your custom kitchen design provides you with an unexpected, cookbook storage display.
cookbook niche and plate rack by Johanna Gaines
This recessed, cabinet with doors is a great choice for someone who wants a large cookbook library on display, without the dust. And you know I love this dark red and blush color combo.
For a large kitchen, swapping out base cabinets for cookbook shelving is sooo much more interesting. (And read below for an easy way to do this if you don’t already have this customization in your kitchen.)
Choosing a different finish for the cookbook shelves provides contrast to the rest of the kitchen and really makes it stand out. In this case, the stained shelves add warmth to a black and white kitchen.
kitchen library cookbook storage ideas image via schoolhouse
3. On the Island Okay, still custom. But I feel like it deserves it’s own place on this list. Kitchen islands were made for cookbooks and there are so many possible ways to configure them.
cookbook storage builtin on kitchen island image source
Quite often when I’m designing a custom island for a client, there is almost always some space on the interior to carve out a couple shelves for cookbooks. Seriously, why should any space go to waste if you are building something for your kitchen from scratch?
This two-toned, island cookbook niché is super cute. And I can tell whoever lives here must throw some epic dinner parties because they have a bar set up in… their fireplace?? Say what??! Let’s go!
kitchen island with cookbook nook via Kaas Interiors
Plywood kitchens are having a moment right now, so I may need to do a separate post on this one, but for now, this island/breakfast table booth is all kinds of bonkers cool. With plenty of room on the sides for cookbook storage. And stacks of blankets for when you have been on a cooking-frenzy and need to just lie down for an impromptu nap. I WON’T JUDGE.
cookbook storage in plywood kitchen with island dining booth image source
I like having books on display facing out of the kitchen. Big Pro. But the Con is you lose space for bar stools. Worth it? Just depends on the person.
kitchen island with cookbook storage | Sustainable Kitchens
cookbook shelf on kitchen island via Pluck kitchen
Alternatively, you can opt to have your cookbooks on the interior of your island or peninsula. This is more functional as you can easily access them while cooking.
cookbook storage ideas | source unknown
Storing your cookbooks on the end of your kitchen island or peninsula might just be the happy middle ground. This is a smart choice for a small kitchen!
cookbook storage on island via Sweeten
And I love what Johanna Gaines did on the end of this island with these extra deep shelves. Superb.
cookbook storage on island | Johanna Gaines
4. A bookshelf. Not everyone has the vacency in their kitchen for this one, but I do like the look of a ready-made bookshelf (like an Ikea Billy) to store a massive cookbook collection. Room to grow, can I get an amen? Tip: Selecting a cabinet in the same color as your cabinets will make it feel like it was custom made for your kitchen.
kitchen library bookshelf (Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)
5. The cookbook niché This is another builtin option, but think of it as a starter pack. You dabble in the cooking arts on the weekends, but not every day.
Storage space on the side of the kitchen base cabinets is an intelligent use of under utilized space.
cookbook builtin storage on end of kitchen counter image source
A cookbook niché with cubbies feels chic and breaks up a kitchen with oodles of uppers.
cookbook niche via image source
One of my biggest pet peeves is a gap between an appliance and the wall. This narrow cookbook niché answers the query leaving no excuse for an awkward kitchen.
using the space next to fridge for storage shelves storage space for wine and cookbooks | source unknown
Where else could you find a little more space for cookbooks? Perhaps the inside of a wall?
Cookbook wall niche in kitchen image source
6. Open Shelving Where we once saw nothing but the open-shelving trend, we now see them used in more thoughtful, functional ways.
This is really so sweet with the mugs on the peg rail. And the cookbooks on the shelf between the cabinets are a great example of how to incorporate open shelving in a modern kitchen. It’s just enough without feeling like you have to commit fully to wall to wall shelving. The cabinets serve as “book ends” in this setup which feels also very practical.
cookbook shelves between cabinets via image source
Arranging your cookbooks by color keeps things interesting.
cookbook library baking corner via Two peas and their Pod
I love a floating shelf, but the antique-feel of brackets can add character to a kitchen.
kitchen cookbook storage ideas image source
If you don’t have extra wall space for shelves, consider removing an upper cabinet, and replacing it with open shelves for your cookbooks. It’s sure to look GOOD.
cookbooks on shelves in kitchen | source unkown
Okay, now this is probably the only way I could handle a ton of open shelving like this (if it were my kitchen) - loaded with cookbooks. 💯
open shelves with cookbooks source unknown
When it comes to shelving, I find people can be so hung up on having to “style it”. Just a few simple stacks of cookbooks is a great use of a harder to reach shelf. Keep it easy and get back to cookin’.
Photo credit: WERNER STRAUBE
Alright, we’ve all had a corner cabinet, so we know exactly how hard it is to retrieve things! I dig removing the door altogether and exposing what’s inside. Replacing the upper corner cabinet with open shelves for cookbooks lets the kitchen breathe a bit. And it definitely feels more custom. Here it matches the cabinets but I also think a contrasting finish could be really interesting.
corner kitchen floating shelves with cookbook storage image source
7. Removing a cabinet door So here’s a great hack for giving your cabinet-filled kitchen some “open shelves”. Try removing one of the doors on your cabinets and filling the shelves with books. You’d be surprised how good this can look and no one would guess it wasn’t a custom job. If you can’t hide the hinge holes with books, you can easily fill them in with wood filler and use a stain pen or paint to match overtop! (The strip of wood between two doors is easy to remove with the proper tools and can always be added back later if needed.)
cookbook styling on cabinets without doors | The Inspired Room
kitchen cookbook storage ideas via Simply Delicious Food
Once upon a time, I actually removed the doors on the awkward, rarely used cabinet above the fridge. We popped off the dividing strip between the two doors and painted the inside a contrasting color to make the cookbooks pop! It was a really easy glow-up for a rental kitchen.
what do do with the space above the fridge via hausmatter.com
(related)
7. A ready-made basket If you just have a few cookbooks and want a stylish way to store them on the cheap, a basket, either woven or metal can be just the ticket.
kitchen cookbook styling | source unknown
And a metal basket can also be hung with the bottom attached to the wall giving you a little “shelf”, perfect for cookbooks. Clever, huh?
cookbook storage ideas | image source
And at the end of the day, if all you do is prop up your books on your countertop, that can give you that “Nancy Myers”, effortlessly-styled look. You should be proud of showing off those beauties!
cookbook styling ideas source unknown
Just in case you aren’t designing your custom dream kitchen, I have a great assortment of ready-made organizers you can use to display your cookbooks. Some of these look sooooo expensive but are actually really affordable.
Use floating corner shelves to replace an upper corner cabinet. It’ll be easier to retrieve items, and looks so much cuter! These are also great attached to a cabinet that’s near a window if you have the wall space.
This shelf comes with brass brackets and will give you all the character and charm you’ve been craving.
This DARLING upper cabinet features arched doors and comes in a pretty green color. I think it would compliment a lot of kitchen palettes. Great for cookbooks, and anything else you want to display. Try it over a coffee bar, buffet or a kitchen desk.
cookbook storage ideas | green arched cabinet $174.99
I really like that these floating shelves come in a narrow width so you can fit them into a small area more easily. Also, if you are going to do floating shelves, the 2” thickness is really nice. When it comes to floating shelves, you really do get what you pay for. Look for something that has steel mounting rods to ensure your cookbooks and dishes stay nice and secure.
Shelves with brass rails are having a moment right now, for good reason. This shelf makes me think of an english cottage. Use it to prop up an assortment of cookbooks for your kitchen. This one is even reversible!
kitchen wall shelf with brass rail ledge | cookbook storage display ideas | Pottery Barn $179
I love the warmth of the wood on this wall rack, making it one of my top picks for a white or blue kitchen. It would look great mounted to the side of a base cabinet or island. If you have the space, these would look spectacular mounted in a stack of three on the wall!
I don’t have the superlatives for this. It’s just…all the things. This bookcase looks as if the books are in a giant stack, but in actuality, they are on shelves that have a stand that rests on the floor. I think this is what you can safely call a “conversation piece” (in a good way). Definitely ear marking this for my future kitchen!
This modern book holder is similar to the last one, but mounted to the wall in three separate pieces. They could even work on the wall just under the upper cabinets?? Lots of configurations to play with here to keep counters free of clutter.
And the fun continues with another unique book holder. I can totally see this with an assortment of cookbooks. Great choice if you have a small library!
cookbook storage ideas | Agustav oak book rack $250
If you want to display the fronts of your books, try a floating wall shelf like this. It almost feels like a giant work of art with the wood frame.
cookbook display ideas, wall floating wood shelf with rail by Danya B. Steiner $42.99
If you’ve been looking to stick your toes into the long-standing, lucite-trend, this acrylic magazine holder is a really fun option that will work for books that are not more than 2 inches thick.
acrylic magazine holder, clear wall mounted book display shelves $29.99, cookbook display ideas
If you have a small collection of cookbooks, a scalloped basket for your countertop can look so chic.
scalloped woven basket $20.99 | cookbook display ideas
This slotted wood cookbook stand keeps the spines upright, and your counter looking tidy.
A metal basket like this has so much versatility for storing all kinds of things in the kitchen. It’s a great size bin for cookbooks and you could even use the holes to mount it to the wall if you wanted to use it as a shelf.
Rejuvenation Knox Metal Storage Basket, $49, kitchen cookbook display ideas
Happy cooking, friends!
Hi. I’m Katherine.
I’m the writer for this blog and the designer here at Hausmatter Interiors, an online design service.