How to choose shelves suitable for the kitchen?

Sometimes it is quite problematic to choose suitable shelves for the kitchen. Although this piece of furniture is simply necessary in order to functionally equip the space of the working and dining area. The problem of choice may arise due to the fact that there is a huge variety of models made from different materials. The situation becomes more complicated if the room is decorated in a certain style.

Variety of shelves for the kitchen

What are the shelves made of?

Kitchen shelves are made from 5 types of materials that correspond to the functional features of the room:

• metal;
• glass;
• chipboard;
• plastic;
• tree.

Shelves made of plastic in the interior of premises, especially kitchens, are used extremely rarely, since the material makes the design tasteless and “cheap”.

Kitchen shelves made of glass and metal

Metal is an excellent solution when it comes to choosing a durable, comfortable and elegant kitchen shelf. This material is easy to care for and is not afraid of any impact. A metal body of any configuration will fit seamlessly into the design of the room, complementing kitchen sets or other pieces of furniture.

Metal shelf

Glass structures look no less impressive, but there are a number of problems due to which not many housewives choose such furniture. Products of this type are usually very heavy, fragile, and require special and constant care. Additionally, you will have to choose a suitable place to place this structure.

Glass shelf for the kitchen

Simple kitchen shelf made of chipboard

The most accessible and cheapest option is chipboard. Naturally, the service life of such material is limited. The thing does not look very elegant, but at the same time it perfectly performs its direct function - it creates additional space for storing things.

Simple chipboard shelves

To make chipboard shelves more attractive, this material is often combined with glass or metal.

Wooden kitchen shelves: classic option

Wood is considered an environmentally friendly material. In addition, the carved base and unusual shape geometry fit into any interior design. But a wooden frame for a kitchen shelf is not always the best choice; it is especially not recommended to hang such structures in places where moisture, steam, or high temperatures are concentrated.

Wooden structures

It is not advisable to place flowers on such products. Wood can become deformed and swell due to changes in temperature and humidity. The integrity of the finishing layer is often compromised. If you choose a suitable place for placement, then such problems will not arise, and the appearance of the kitchen with open upper shelves will instantly transform.

Making shelves from plasterboard

For the kitchen, you can also make plasterboard shelves with your own hands.

When designing a product, you need to take into account the expected load, placing useful things such as a TV or music speakers on a plasterboard structure. Shelves made of plasterboard on the frame must be reinforced with profiles from the inside. If you are planning exclusively decorative shelves, then a metal rack profile will suffice.

Before you make a shelf with your own hands from gypsum plasterboard, you need to make a drawing of it in full size. After drawing up the drawing and adjusting it in accordance with the dimensions of the kitchen, you can begin to calculate the materials.

Then the markings are made on the wall, the frame is made and the drywall is installed.

After you can secure all the drywall, begin to putty all surfaces (before this, all corner elements of the structure must be additionally fastened, and the ends must be outlined with a perforated corner).

The putty is applied in several layers. When it dries, the structure is rubbed with sandpaper, primed and painted. The result is neat decorative shelves on the wall that can be used to store kitchen utensils, a collection of porcelain or wine bottles.

Kitchen decoration - decorative shelves

Decorative shelves for the kitchen serve to create coziness, but this does not mean that useful things cannot be placed on them.

Often decorative shelves are a complex designed in the same style, where you can store serving dishes, vases and figurines.

Advice! Small shelves can be hung using beautiful ready-made mounts. Contrasting combinations look impressive - white shelves on colored consoles, rough wood on black brackets, etc.

Currently reading: Handicraft cabinets

Decorative shelves can be fixed in the apron area instead of rails, placing here various useful things needed in the cooking process. But make sure that their finish is strong enough.

If you mount the structures on the wall near the dining area, you can decorate them with collections of wine bottles or charming Provençal porcelain.

Homemade bottle holders

Noble wine requires respectful attitude. And, if you consider yourself a true connoisseur of this drink, then you need such useful things as shelves for wine bottles.

The unique qualities of the bouquet will be preserved only if you can ensure proper storage of the wine. Therefore, shelves for wine bottles should be such that they allow containers to be stored horizontally. Indeed, in a vertical bottle, oxygen can enter the bottle through the cork.

Of course, you shouldn’t turn your kitchen into a wine cellar, but you can create a unique, signature option for storing your drink. Moreover, you can take a lot of design solutions as a basis.

Even in a small kitchen you can find a place to store wine bottles - for this, “honeycombs” are installed between wall cabinets and the ceiling, resulting in saving useful meters below.

Interesting ways to store wine bottles will also be: special wood or elements built into the cabinet. You can also make interesting things out of an ordinary shelf by dividing its internal space with partitions corresponding to the size of the bottles.

Structural types of shelves

As for the structural types of shelves, this is a completely separate category of characteristics. Conventionally, designs of this type can be divided into 2 large groups: open shelves in the kitchen and closed ones.

But there are other design features that significantly expand the range:

• A corner shelf for the kitchen is an ideal solution for a room with a small area. Thanks to its design, the product “fills” the corner with “useful” space.
• Asymmetrical - suitable for large areas. A labyrinth of straight, intersecting and inclined planes for storing small items can be an excellent design solution.
• Console ones will visually “open up” the space, since they usually have a vertical floating structure.

Additional features of design types may include the following nuances:

• fastening type (closed/open);
• the presence of retractable structures (drawers/doors with vertical lift);
• presence of lighting (backlight). For example, a shelf above the dining table in the kitchen, the photo of which can be seen below, is not only a functional storage surface, but also a beautiful accessory.

Multi-tiered structure for the kitchen
Based on all the possible options, you need to take into account a lot of factors before choosing a suitable and functional wall-mounted structure.

Kitchen shelf with lighting

An interesting idea to make a holder for glasses on the shelf, it looks very stylish. And if it’s also a kitchen shelf with lighting, it will look like a decent cozy bar . Maybe at first glance the task seems difficult, but look at the master class with step-by-step photos, I think everyone can handle this kind of work.

The most difficult thing is to install the fasteners securely and evenly, and illumination is the easiest part of the task.

Minibar from an old cabinet

Old furniture that has long gone out of fashion can always be remade into something original. For example, make a minibar from an old cabinet , like in this photo. Below is how the rebirth process took place. We took it apart, sawed off the excess, and put it together according to the required dimensions. Then you need to light it up and you can enjoy the “brand new” minibar.

What color to make, order shelves

Shelves for the kitchen should be chosen in a color so that they harmonize with the overall interior design and complement the kitchen set. But it is not necessary to choose a product of the same color as all pieces of furniture. An open design can be an excellent accent against the background of the overall picture.

On a dark surface, settled dust is immediately visible, so you will have to wipe it 2 times a day. This problem will not arise with light surfaces.

It is often better to choose light-colored designs for the kitchen. This will help visually expand the space, make the room brighter and more comfortable. It doesn't have to be pastel colors, white or beige. Shades of light green, yellow, blue, light purple will become relevant. If the kitchen concept is close to industrial style, then dark colors and shades are suitable.

Stylish corner shelves photo

The kitchen, bathroom and hallway are the most problematic rooms in the house in terms of the need to store a large number of small items. Thick floating shelves are already a fashion trend, but open corner shelves are also a huge space saver and make the room look freer.

In the hallway, corner shelves can simultaneously serve as a stylish clothes hanger or a stand for bags and shoes.

Tall and narrow floor-mounted corner shelves can look very elegant even with the simplest decor.

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At the same time, some corner shelves can have a very stylish and original design that will catch your eye and transform the entire shape of the space.

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In the last photo you can see how corner shelves can act as a home office (left) or a simple decoration for the living room. And the following images show you some truly amazing corner shelves that line the corners between walls in hallways and other spaces.

We hope that after these photos you no longer doubt that corner shelves can help make your interior design more functional and interesting. It remains only to note that beautiful corner shelves, like any piece of furniture, can be made by you yourself (see photo below). Thank you for reading Dekorin!

Corner shelves in the interior allow you to optimize the use of space in the room, expand its functionality and increase ergonomics. The space gets rid of massive furniture, which adds more volume and functional practicality to the structure of the room.

Home design using corner furniture designs looks aesthetically pleasing and adds style to the decor of the room.

On the corner shelves it is possible to successfully place non-bulky household appliances, dishes, books, souvenirs, paintings, photographs and other small items. Thus, corner shelves effectively solve the problem of placing things in a limited space of the home.

What style to make, buy shelves for the wall

Among the mass of kitchen furniture styles, it is usually difficult to choose a suitable model. But you should always focus on the kitchen set. There are a lot of options in the Scandinavian style, Provence, hi-tech, modern. Accordingly, the shelves themselves are selected according to their characteristics.

Shelves in Provence style

Kitchens are especially often decorated in Provence style. It is characterized by light, discreet tones - beige, white, brown. Pastel shades are trendy. In addition to the peculiarities of blooming, naturalness in the choice of materials for furniture is encouraged.

In Provence, open shelving made of natural material is often used along with hanging shelves.

Usually, to furnish kitchens in the Provence style, the simplest designs with hidden fasteners are used. This principle creates the impression of a floating structure. The product itself is quite simple, without any decorative elements.

Shelves in Provence style

Using a more miniature design, but with carvings, you can decorate the corners of the room remote from the work area. Such decorative items are intended more for placing figurines, books, photos on them, but not dishes.

Decorative shelf in Provence style

Any option is very suitable for recreating a beautiful and at the same time simple interior style.

High-tech direction

More interesting in their design are the shelves that are used in high-tech style. This concept most often uses structures made of metal or glass (glass + metal). Wall space for storing dishes or small items is usually a whole work of art.

High-tech design product

The unusual appearance of the product does not limit its functionality. The unique appearance allows you to easily equip studio apartments and ordinary kitchens.

Small shelf for a rustic kitchen

Such shelves are more of a decorative nature, although you can also store kitchen utensils on them. The design of the product is the simplest - usually it is a frame with a longitudinal shelf made of wood. Small shelves in a rustic style usually contain painted plates, flower pots, photo frames or figurines.

Small rustic shelf

Choosing the design, design and size of the shelf

Before you start making kitchen shelves with your own hands, you need to decide on its style and appearance:

• In a high-tech and minimalist kitchen, shelves of strict shapes and colors with lighting are appropriate;

• In a Scandinavian interior and in a loft-style kitchen, massive or light shelves made of chipboard, wood, rough boards, old boxes and pallets look impressive;

• For Provence, shabby chic, country and classic decorative shelves on metal consoles, artificially aged, rustic or with carvings are suitable;

• Designs with glass and metal will ideally fit into a room decorated in Art Nouveau style;

• For a cozy kitchen in a modern style, racks for dishes or racks for wine bottles are often used;
• Corner shelves are the most efficient and practical way to use space.

What do you need to know before you start making shelves with your own hands?

• If you do not first think through the purpose, design, degree of load, place for the shelf and do not complete the design of the product, then there is a high risk that the result of your work will not fit into the existing interior in color, style and size. Therefore, you should not hang a shelf on the wall just because you have leftover boards and chipboards;

• The most convenient and easiest to implement is an open rectangular shelf;
• The dimensions of the product must correspond to the objects placed on it. Shelves for spices, decorative items, bottle holders are very small and can be placed anywhere: above the table, above the bar counter, in the apron under the upper cabinets, etc.;

• If you want to complement your existing kitchen set with a shelf, then most likely it will be medium in size;

• Open shelves that replace the upper modules of the headset can be long from wall to wall and massive;

• The chosen fastening must be combined not only with the shelf material, but also with the wall decoration.

Kitchen shelves made of chipboard or wood

Shelves for the kitchen can be mounted on the wall, installed on the floor or table. You can also make a universal version. To work you will need:

• Jigsaw and hammer drill;
• Screwdriver;
• Hammer;
• Compass, pencil and ruler;
• A piece of plywood, chipboard, wooden boards or boxes;
• Brackets for hanging shelves or ready-made consoles sold in furniture stores (you can make them yourself);
• Sandpaper for sanding;
• Stain, paint, brush, screws, ribbons for decorating the shelf.

The amount of starting material is calculated depending on the dimensions of the future product.

As for the shape, it is better to make wooden shelves for the kitchen rectangular or triangular (for placement in the corner), but oval and round ones will not be appropriate everywhere. Do not forget about the durability and strength of the structure - special wear-resistant paints are used as a coating, and reliable hardware is chosen for fastening.

Advice! If your kitchen is not large, then massive shelves designed for heavy loads will look too bulky.

How to make kitchen shelves with your own hands? The work is performed in the following sequence:

1. Determine the place on the wall where the shelf will hang.
2. A design drawing is created. To protect objects from accidental falling, you can install an additional curb in front.
3. Select brackets or consoles so that their height is less than the vertical distance between the shelves.
4. The product is cut out with a jigsaw, after which the surface of the ends is polished.
5. The ends visible after hanging are sealed with a special edge or veneer (if the shelf is made from chipboard).
6. Mark the wall where the holes are to be attached.
7. The shelf is secured securely.

Master classes on making shelves with your own hands

You can make shelves for the kitchen on the wall yourself. But first you need to decide on the material. The best option is wood or chipboard. If you complicate the design, you can get a hanging cabinet - just attach the doors. Naturally, you need to design the product in a suitable style. Straight shelves along the entire wall are considered a universal design.

To work you need the following tools and materials:

• Beam and wooden board.
• Screwdriver.
• Sanding machine, sandpaper.
• Wood primer, varnish.
• Ruler, pencil.
• Jigsaw (saw).

For production, you can use other available materials - chipboard, remnants of wood or timber.

Algorithm for creating a floating shelf with your own hands:

1. It is necessary to prepare a drawing that will accurately indicate the dimensions of all components and the general design of the parts.
2. The next stage will be the manufacture of the main part of the structure - racks for holding horizontal parts (shelf surfaces). You need to prepare 8 pieces of a block with a length corresponding to the width of the board and 4 pieces of a block that will be equal to the length of the board.
3. All parts must be sanded to remove chips and surface defects. Then the longer parts of the bar need to be divided into 4 equal parts. Using a screwdriver, attach small pieces of timber at the marked points.
4. The finished structure must be coated with a layer of primer and varnished. Wait until completely dry.
5. Attach the finished parts to the wall.
6. The boards and the remaining 2 parts of the bars must also be primed and varnished. Wait until completely dry.
7. The next step will be preparing the main surface. You need to make a hollow structure. A long piece of timber is attached along the edge of the board, and a second board is attached on top of the same beam.
8. Then the hollow part is put on the one that is already attached to the wall.

Making a shelf
This is a real project that even a person far from working with wood can implement.
The result is a floating structure with hidden fasteners.

Everything ingenious is simple! Creative DIY shelves

And finally, we present to you a selection of ideas for unusual and, at the same time, easy-to-make shelves and shelves with your own hands.

But such shelves can be made from wooden boxes. This option will be appropriate in a kitchen in the style of shabby chic, loft, country, Provence and more.

From pallets you can make shelves of various sizes, designs and purposes.

See also our additional material: How to make a shelf with your own hands - 4 cool ways for beginners

Features of the use of wall shelves

A kitchen with open shelves always looks elegant, stylish and cozy. But there are several nuances regarding the operation of this piece of furniture:

• You can put a lot of dishes on the shelves, but you shouldn’t load them too much. The fasteners may fail and all the utensils will fall to the floor.
• The dishes should “confidently” stand in their places. You need to constantly wipe the surfaces to remove dust, fingerprints, and streaks.
• You can create a functional decor for any design - attach hooks and holders for paper towels to the base of the body.

In any case, wall shelves in the kitchen themselves perform many functions - they are a place to store dishes, kitchen utensils, and can become an excellent decor.

There are many designs of kitchen shelves, each of which has an original design and unique decor. The product must be selected based on the style of the interior. In some cases, you can make a piece of furniture yourself.

Kitchen cabinet shelf

Use the empty space and create a shelf for your kitchen cabinet . Of course, you can put various things on the lid of the cabinet (which is what we usually do), but with such a shelf, firstly, the space increases, and secondly, the cabinet will look more aesthetically attractive.

True, the photos are from an English-language site, but it’s not difficult there. Spase - space, plywood - plywood, Edging - edging, First - nails, top - top, bottom - bottom, glued and nailed - glued and nailed, well, who didn’t study English at school, however, in the photo everything is drawn with arrows, so It's not difficult to figure it out.

Wooden shelf between cabinets

An interesting solution for intermediate “floating” shelves between cabinets . The shelves fit well into the space and make the room more spacious. It’s convenient to use as a display case to display beautiful dishes, and if you add lighting, like in the photo, it generally looks great.

Kitchen shelf made from a pallet

If you want to make something beautiful, but at low cost, you should always think about pallets. This is the simplest thing you can do with your own hands, a kitchen shelf made from a pallet , an excellent solution to acquire an original craft.

The step-by-step photos show that you don’t need to do anything, just cut off part of the pallet, remove the excess, sand, paint and you’re done.

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