Kitchen shelves: how to create a beautiful and harmonious interior

Furniture for the kitchen should have maximum functionality, be spacious, practical and comfortable. When choosing shelves, you need to understand that it is in the kitchen that the largest amount of small utensils is concentrated. In the modern kitchen furniture market, open kitchen shelves are popular. Unlike wall cabinets, such designs are cheaper, while they look better in modern interiors and do not narrow the space of the room.

Kitchen shelves should be functional, spacious and comfortable

The main advantages of the most common open shelves in the kitchen

Placing open structures in the kitchen is the best option to solve several problems at the same time. The purchase of a kitchen set requires quite large expenses, and the use of open-type shelves is, first of all, an opportunity to save some of the finances. Much less material is used to manufacture such pieces of furniture, so their cost is lower.

Open shelves are easy to match to different styles

One of the main advantages of these shelves is that they are versatile. Such designs are suitable for different styles. Open shelves in the kitchen can be installed in a room made in a classic style, country, or in a more modern, for example, minimalism.

Open shelves take up less space and do not constrict the kitchen space. This advantage is very important, since standard kitchens are characterized by problems with usable space.

Helpful information! For small rooms, the installation of open structures is the best solution. Moreover, the capacity of such products is not lower when compared with closed counterparts.

Open kitchen shelves will be cheaper than closed ones

Thus, open-type dish shelves not only allow you to save a lot of space that can be used to install other interior elements, but also have a presentable appearance and functionality.

Open shelves are made from different materials depending on the purpose. The most widespread are products for which wood (natural and artificial) is used. Other materials include metal, organic plastic and glass.

Kitchen shelves made of natural or artificial stone look presentable, but they are expensive

Disadvantages of using open kitchen shelves

Before deciding which type of shelves will be used for the kitchen, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the negative aspects of their operation. Like any other piece of furniture, these shelves have their drawbacks. The main one is the fact that open structures do not protect the kitchen utensils located on them from dust.

It is important to remember that these products are primarily decorative elements of furniture, since all items placed on them are in plain sight. Therefore, they are not suitable for storing monotonous dishes. It is advisable to store ordinary plates in the compartments of the kitchen set.

Open kitchen shelves require systematic self-care

Shelves for an open kitchen are not always easy to choose for a specific set. It is recommended to think over the combination of kitchen furniture in advance. Taking into account all the pros and cons of such designs, we can conclude that it is best to use them in combination with closed cabinets.

Sometimes it happens that difficulties arise when choosing the necessary open structures for the kitchen. In this case, you should take into account the individual characteristics of the room, its style. A kitchen with shelves instead of cabinets looks more spacious, which is in line with modern interior options.

Shelves should match furniture and kitchen finishes

It is also worth considering how well specific shelves will be combined with other furniture elements. The dimensions of open structures may vary. They can be purchased ready-made or made yourself.

Kitchen shelves made of wood: a classic version

In the modern kitchen furniture market, you can buy shelves made of any materials. Most often there are wooden models, but they are not suitable for all kitchen options. For example, a high-tech room requires more neutral materials such as metal and glass. Currently, the following types of wooden shelves are most common:

Wooden shelves in the kitchen look simple but elegant

• made of natural wood;
• from chipboard and fiberboard.

Wood. For a kitchen decorated in a classic style, this option is most suitable. And also wooden models look great on the walls of rooms made in country style. The kitchen with open shelves made of natural wood looks simple and cozy.

Note! A serious advantage of this material lies in its high environmental performance. The tree is hypoallergenic. These shelves are easy to clean.

The wooden shelves are ecological, hypoallergenic and easy to maintain

However, it must be taken into account that wood has poor resistance to moisture, therefore, structures made from it need a special protective coating. Most often, varnish is used to protect against water, which is applied in 2-3 layers on the shelf. In this case, the shelf for the kitchen will look much more beautiful.

Particleboard or fiberboard. These materials are inferior to natural wood in their qualities, but they are also functional and have an attractive appearance. To increase the operational life of the structure, it is recommended to purchase laminated shelf models. Lighting can be installed under the shelf in the kitchen made of wood. This will make the kitchen look wider.

To save money, you can buy shelves not from natural wood, but from chipboard or fiberboard

The advantage of artificial wooden shelves is that they have an affordable cost. You can buy such pieces of furniture in a specialized store or place an order via the Internet.

Other materials used to make kitchen shelves

The choice of material for the shelves is influenced by the interior of the room, and the individual preferences of the owners are also important. Before purchasing this or that product, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of all possible materials from which these structures are made.

Metal shelves are highly durable, resistant to moisture and temperature changes

Glass. Shelves in the kitchen on the wall, made of glass, are suitable if the room is decorated in a modern style, in which neutral colors prevail. Glass products are usually made of hardened material, since its strength is much higher. It is important to remember that when choosing glass structures, you need to pay special attention to the thickness of the material. This indicator should not be less than 6 mm.

Related article:

Corner shelves: how to save space without losing functionality

Materials for manufacturing. Varieties and features. Shelves in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and hallway. Self-assembly.

The place of installation of such shelves is chosen depending on the situation in the kitchen. However, it should be understood that they are not recommended to be located in the immediate vicinity of the stove.

Stone (artificial and natural). Shelves made of this material look solid and massive in the interior of the kitchen. When self-assembling such structures, it is necessary to ensure their reliable fixation, since they are quite heavy. Weak fasteners may not support the masses of stone shelves. The ideal location for such products is closer to the floor. The cost of stone pieces of furniture is quite high, so they are rare. Photos of this type of shelves allow you to appreciate their stylish appearance.

Plastic. Lightweight material that is low cost and practical. Plastic shelves are not afraid of moisture, but it is strictly forbidden to place them near heat sources. Plastic products should not be overloaded as they may not support the weight of bulky items. In the kitchen, such decorative shelves are rarely used.

Metal. Metal products have good durability. They can withstand heavy loads and are also resistant to high temperatures and moisture. Another advantage of such shelves is that they are very easy to clean of any dirt.

Note! Metal structures are suitable for modern kitchens.

Open shelves made of fiberboard or chipboard look great in the interior of the kitchen

Also shelves can be made in the wall. For this, a common material is used - drywall. The shelves in the wall are niches that can be equipped with lighting. Drywall is inexpensive and easy to process. With it, you can make a structure of any complexity.

Features of the location of the shelves in the kitchen: photo

There are several factors that influence the choice of the location of the shelves. First of all, it is worth taking into account the dimensions of the kitchen. And also the design of the kitchen and the amount of furniture located in it are very important. For spacious rooms, there are much more options for arranging shelves. Small rooms require saving usable space, so for them the best option are structures that are located in the corner.

Corner kitchen shelves go well with other pieces of furniture. You can apply non-standard design ideas to them.For example, in the corners of the kitchen, you can install long structures that take up the entire space from floor to ceiling.

An unusual option that suits some classic kitchens is asymmetrical products. However, when installing such shelves, you must understand that they are not combined with minimalist design directions.

As for the location, the standard option involves the installation of shelves above the work surface. This arrangement allows you to achieve free access to kitchen utensils while cooking. The shelves can be narrow or wide.

The location of the shelves is selected depending on the size of the kitchen and the amount of other furniture

The second option is used to store plates and other bulky items. Narrow shelves on the wall are most often decorative. It is recommended to place small details on them that will emphasize the interior of the room.

Shelves can be placed not only next to cabinets or in a corner, but also, for example, above a door or near a window. To decorate the kitchen, hinged, hanging, wall-mounted and other shelf options are used.

Separately, it should be said about the models that are installed on the roof rails. Most often, such structures are mounted under a wall cabinet. The railing shelf for the kitchen is a metal grate that is designed to store the most commonly used kitchen utensils.

Note! If desired, you can combine shelves made of different materials. However, in this case, it is very important to understand that some materials do not fit together. For example, plasterboard and wood products are not recommended to be installed in the same room. Glass or metal structures look harmonious with wood.

There is a basic rule to be guided by when choosing a place for installing shelves: in no case should you overload the room with furniture. Shelves should complement the interior of the room, not spoil it.

Hanging shelves in the kitchen: characteristics and features of choice

The use of hinged shelves is a traditional design option for the kitchen. Such pieces of furniture are easy to install and affordable. An open structure is fixed directly to the wall. Most often, special loops are used for this.

Hanging kitchen shelves should match other furniture in the room

When choosing open shelves, it is recommended to pay attention to the colors prevailing in the interior of the kitchen. For example, it is advisable to choose products that have the same shade as the countertop. The wall-mounted kitchen shelves are designed to match most classic and modern styles.

The advantage of open hinged structures is their compactness. If desired, you can install such shelves on the window opening. In this case, it must be borne in mind that this arrangement is only suitable for rooms that have sufficient natural light.

A lot also depends on the choice of fasteners. It is important to understand that correctly selected fixing elements can increase the maximum load limit on the structure. In addition, with the help of fasteners, you can organize the decor of the shelf. For example, wooden shelves in the kitchen look spectacular in combination with metal forging.

Open structures are often installed in kitchens in order to complement the desired design. They can also serve as an accentuating function. In a kitchen decorated in light colors, you can install dark shelves that will attract the eye.

The lower surface of open structures can be equipped with lamps that will illuminate the cooking area. Spotlights look great in modern kitchens.

Open shelves: fixing to the room ceiling

Not always open structures are installed on the wall. The lack of such a possibility is not a problem, since the products can be fixed to the ceiling. Such interesting shelves have an unusual appearance, which does not affect their functionality. It should be noted that open-type suspended products are capable of withstanding high loads.

Ceiling-mounted open shelves look spectacular in any kitchen

Note! The main disadvantage of such shelves is that their installation requires the organization of holes in the ceiling. This is not always convenient, especially when there is a stretch ceiling in the room.

Before purchasing this design, it is recommended to study their photos. A kitchen with open shelves fixed to the ceiling looks more spacious, so it makes sense to purchase such products to save space in small rooms.

Modern design solutions can combine two types of fastening. Shelves with combined clamps are mounted simultaneously to the ceiling and wall. It is recommended to choose this option when there is a need to organize the most reliable structure that can withstand heavy loads.

Shelf rack in the kitchen: functional and convenient option

Shelves are functional structures that are most often used when you need to allocate enough space for storing a large number of small items. Therefore, they are installed in storage rooms and kitchens. For the kitchen, the best option would be to purchase a rack made of wood.

The rack has a lot in common with kitchen cabinets, but unlike them, it is not equipped with a facade. A kitchen with this type of shelf is more functional. The advantages of shelving include versatility and practicality. Such structures can be installed instead of the upper floors of the lockers or next to them.

Most often in the kitchen, shelving is installed instead of upper cabinets.

In addition, racks are often used for space zoning. For example, a wooden structure can be positioned to separate the dining area from the cooking area. Please note that this option is only suitable for spacious and medium kitchens. Small-sized premises should not be divided into zones, since they do not have enough space. A corner shelving unit can be purchased for a small kitchen.

More functional are structures equipped with pull-out shelves. You can assemble such a rack yourself, but it is best to order a ready-made structure. Pull-out kitchen shelves are very easy to use. When choosing them, it is worth paying attention to the convenience of their use, and it is also worth testing the smoothness of opening of each tier.

There are various fixing options available for installing racks. If desired, you can mount the shelves to the wall. Another option is also possible, involving the installation of the rack on the floor. In this case, the design is equipped with legs, which can be supplemented with wheels, giving the product mobility.

Corner shelves in the kitchen: option for small spaces

Corner shelf models are divided into two large groups: open and closed. The specificity of the design of such furniture is due to their location. Corner shelves are fixed directly to two walls located at an angle of 90 ° to each other. The functionality of such shelves is quite high.

The location of these wall-mounted kitchen shelves determines their purpose. They are used in small kitchens to store various smaller and larger utensils.

It is convenient to store a variety of small items on corner shelves

Note! The modern market offers buyers a large selection of corner designs.The shelves are made from different materials, but wood is the most popular (as in other cases).

When choosing a hinged corner shelf in the kitchen, you should pay attention to the material from which it is made, dimensions, as well as design. Such models require the organization of a reliable fixation. Another criterion for choosing such products is the shape of their edges. They can have a rounded edge or a straight edge. In modern kitchens, shelves are often used, the shape of which repeats the letter "G".

Narrow corner-type models look the most presentable. Beautiful wall shelves can have different side lengths. If the structure is multi-tiered, then you can combine the sides through one tier.

Corner open shelves - ideal for a small kitchen

Thus, the corner shelves have good functionality. They are compact and fit well into classic kitchens. Tiered models correspond to Provence and country styles.

What you need to know when choosing a shelf design for your kitchen

Open models are traditionally used to save space in small kitchens. The use of such structures allows you to visually increase the volume of the room. In turn, closed shelves are suitable for spacious rooms. Open structures can be supplemented with wicker baskets, which are indispensable for storing fruit.

Beautiful open shelves can be a decoration of the kitchen

Decorative shelves made of wood primarily serve as decoration in the interior. Most often, such designs have a small width. They can be used to place various items related to kitchen utensils or design elements on a culinary theme.

Wooden products can be equipped with lighting. Glass structures are also quite often backlit, which looks even more impressive. A simple option that allows you to give lightness to the interior is the installation of shelves-lattices. Such products are made of metal and are quite popular today. Metal shelves for the kitchen are durable and durable. Open models go well with closed kitchen cabinets.

It should be noted that neutral colors are suitable for open shelves, such as:

• white;
• the black;
• grey.

Helpful information!Most often, the color of the shelves is selected depending on the shades of the walls and the kitchen set.

The design of the wall shelf also depends on the overall style of the room. If the walls are painted in dark colors, then in this case the products of the same color on which the white dishes are located will look spectacular.

The shelves should be in harmony in color with the walls and the general interior of the kitchen

Organizing decorative lighting is a very popular option for decorating a kitchen. And finally, when choosing the right design, you should focus on personal preferences and not be afraid to experiment.

Several recommendations for choosing kitchen shelves

The wide range of models often makes it difficult to find the shelf you need for a particular case. When choosing these products, you should focus on several important points. First of all, it is worth deciding on the purpose of the shelf in the interior. It can be functional or decorative. Many models combine both.

First of all, before buying shelves, you need to decide on their purpose.

If the function of the shelf is to store dishes, then it is necessary to take into account in advance what load will be exerted on the structure. The most reliable models are made of stone and metal. Wood products are also a good option, but they require a secure fit. Chipboard and fiberboard shelves are not very durable. Especially in the case when they are long, so it is not recommended to use them for storing bulky items.

The shelf can be installed directly on the table. This option is very convenient for storing pepper shakers and salt shakers. It is recommended that the shelf on the table is made of the same material as the main piece of furniture.

The dimensions of the shelf should correspond to the items that will be placed on it in the future. Interesting wall shelves are made of tempered glass. Transparent structures add lightness to the interior. Before purchasing a shelf, it is also important to determine the number of tiers. The simplest models are single-tier and are made from one board, which is fixed on metal hinges. Multi-storey structures go well with wall cabinets.

Note! Multi-storey structures are best suited for storing small items. It is recommended to place larger kitchen utensils on single-tier shelves.

How to make kitchen shelves with your own hands: recommendations

This type of furniture can be made by yourself. Most often, such a need arises in two cases: to save finances, or in a situation where it is required to make a shelf according to an individual drawing.

To create a simple product that is fixed on the wall, you can use finished parts that have undergone the necessary processing. In such a situation, it remains only to collect them into a single structure and fix it on the working surface. For example, chipboard parts can be ordered from a hardware store.

Drawing of an open shelf with dimensions for making by hand

To make a shelf in the kitchen with your own hands, you need to complete a drawing that provides the appropriate dimensions suitable for a specific situation. Experts do not recommend constructing such furniture from materials that are difficult to process. The tree in this case is the best option.

The choice of the type of shelf and its design is made depending on the style of the room. Before starting the assembly of the structure, it is necessary to measure the place where it is supposed to be fastened. The fixing option is selected taking into account the purpose of the shelf.

For example, if heavy objects will be stored on it, then it is recommended to strengthen the structure to the maximum. In this case, combined fasteners are possible. Of course, such a fixation is more difficult to perform on your own, but the result justifies the means. In turn, decorative wall shelves do not require such serious efforts. For them, it will be enough to perform standard fasteners.

To make a shelf with your own hands, it is best to use a tree.

If the shelf will be used to store small kitchen items, then there is no need to organize a complex fixation option. An example is the spice rack. With your own hands, the easiest way is to equip the product with standard clamps - hinges. They are fixed to the shelf with screws. The installation of the shelf is carried out using dowel nails. To arrange holes for them, you need to prepare an electric drill.

The space above the worktop is best suited for installing open shelves. The rectangular version of a narrow product is quite easy to make. To do this, cut out a piece of the required dimensions from a wooden board. Next, you need to varnish the wood and wait until it dries. Then you need to attach hinges to the back end of the board. After that, holes are made in the wall, marked in advance. Dowel-nails are inserted into them, after which you just need to hang the shelf on the hinges.

Thus, the modern market offers a huge variety of models of shelves for the kitchen. To make the right choice, you must take into account all the recommendations, as well as your own preferences.