Modern kitchens are much more than just places where you just cook. They are increasingly becoming smart, functional and stylish social settings where the entire family can come together after long, hard day. Combine it with a smart dining area and you have the perfect space to host parties over the weekends and through the Holiday Season. This is precisely why your kitchen needs to be as aesthetic as it is functional and open kitchen shelves make a big difference in this regard. Open kitchen shelving gives you ample storage space even while turning it into a chic and elegant display without trying too hard.The idea that open kitchen shelves are not for everyone is a bit far-fetched. Even if you are not the most organized person around, there are plenty of easy way in which you can decorate the open kitchen shelf without creating a clutter. All it needs is a bit of planning, the right style of open shelving and of course, a dash of inspiration. We are here today to offer you all the inspiration you need along with the 40 coolest open shelving ideas that we believe will hold sway in the year ahead.A Hint of ColorOpen shelving is as much about the overall kitchen aesthetics as it is about practicality and a sense of spaciousness. This year, consider adding a bit of color to your kitchen with open shelves that go beyond the mundane. Colorful and sleek open shelving looks as much at home in contemporary, minimal and modern kitchens as it does in retro and shabby chic spaces. Si...