Kitchen Storage | Open Shelving
The kitchen is at the heart of every home. For our family it is the most utilised space in our home, and it is where we come together as family and with our friends. So when it comes to storage and styling, we feel it deserves a great deal of attention. There will be lots of Blogs about the layout of a perfect kitchen, but we are going to talk about what we know best….shelving. We have put together some tips and options for utilising open shelving in your kitchen. Not only is it important for the shelves to be a functional storage option, but we will consider how to style your shelves so you don’t end up with a cluttered mess on display!
What type of open shelves should you choose?
From floating shelves, metal bracket shelves, leather strap shelves, small shelves to large shelves. Where do you start?
Firstly, consider the space that you have and what blank walls you have availble to add some additional storage. It doesn’t have to be a large space, quite often there is a small panel of blank wall between the fridge and the pantry, or between the kitchen zone and dining space that you can take advantage of. Think about how you use that space; is it a walkway where you will need to select a shelf with a narrow profile so that it doesn’t impede the thoroughfair, or is it a above a bench where you can maximise the depth of the shelf to add more storage?
Secondly, you need to think about how the shelf can be mounted in that space. Is it going into plaster, brick, or some other surface. If you have a plaster/gyprock wall, do you know the location of the studs? As this will determine some of the practicalities for your shelf. For example, deep and large floating shelves would almost always need to be fixed into studs to support the weight of the shelf. But smaller shelves would be quite okay to be fixed directly into the plaster. If you have a steel frame home you also might want to reach out to a handyman/builder for help with installation, or you can always email us and we will advise you as best as we can!
Thirdly, you can now have fun thinking about what style of timber shelving suits your space. Are there cues in the kitchen cabinetry that you can accentuate or compliment with your choice of open shelving. The colour of the timber could be chosen to match as closely as possible, but don’t discount the idea of blending different timber types together. If there is no existing timber in your kitchen then you will likely find that the warmth and authenticity that solid timber provides could really transform your space. The colour/type of timber that you choose for your shelves can also become a feature, or you may choose for it to blend into the surroundings and allow the items that you display on your shelves to do all the talking.
Finally, there are many different types of ways to hang a shelf. And we will go into some of the options in more detail below:
Floating Shelves
Perhaps these shelves are the most commonly featured on Pinterest and Instagram as the kitchen shelf of choice. But they might not be the best option for you. We work with lots of our customers for custom floating shelf options, as they are usually a unique situation that we like to create the perfect floating shelf and installation process for each customer.
Pros; floating shelves are a seemless, contemporary and can work with many different design aesthetics. They are easy to clean and can easily blend into the surroundings if you are not wanting a statement shelf. They also work really well over large spans and can be stacked up a wall for extra storage options.
Cons; they are often a little more difficult to install. You need to have a good understanding of the wall, where the studs are, what kind of weight you can place on the shelf depending on how it is fastened to the wall. We provide really clear advice to our customers about installation, and if you are not very handy we often recommend the installation be completed by a handyman or builder. This can add to the cost and sometimes means you have to wait for the tradies to fit you in!
Leather Strap Shelves
These are probably our most popular line of shelving and have been used by numerous customers in their kitchens. Both our Leather Strap Shelf and Curved-Edge Shelf are fastened to the wall using a genuine leather strap and then the shelf is suspended in the strap. Usually they can be mounted straight into the gyrock using the wall screws we provide, however, if you are wanting the shelf to hold more than 5kg in weight, then we generally recommend you installing the leather straps for the shelf straight into the stud in the wall. They are very popular and come in three different colours; brown, black and natural. We have a few different lengths in stock but are often making custom lengths for our customers regularly.
Pros; easy to install, work well with contemporary or Scandinavian styling. We have them in stock so you can usually get them very quickly and you don’t need a builder’s help. They can also be stacked up a wall or staggered.
Cons; they may not be able to hold the same weight as other shelving options. The leather strap takes up some of the shelf space, so you many not be able to store as much on these shelves as the other options.
Metal Bracket Shelves
These shelves are the most sturdy and strong out of the shelves we offer. So they would be the best option if you wanted to put a good deal of weight on your shelf. We offer different lengths, different finishes and also different styles of metal brackets. So you are sure to find an option to suit your shelving needs. We have many customers use this shelf in their kitchens, but can also make a great laundry shelf or even in the bathroom.
Pros; great for holding heavier weights, they are modern and industrial, but can also be used in a more farmhouse style setting. They are very easy to install, and can go straight into the gyrock or into the stud for even greater strength.
Cons; they currently only come in black, so that may not be your style or colour.
Small Kitchen Shelf Options
Below are some other smaller shelves that would work in smaller places. Think creatively about how you could use them in a kitchen. For example, our Picture Ledges make a great way to display your favourite cook books, or they can also double as a spice rack.
Our Small Bookshelf also makes a great condiment and spice rack. We have had customers use them next to a coffee machine to store bits and pieces, or you can even mount this shelf upside down and use the front piece as. a place to hang a hand towel or tea towel and a shelf above.
Our Magazine Rack is again the perfect option for cookbooks, but has also been used to store someones olive oil collection!
Concluding thoughts…
Don’t forget about the finish type. We recommend the Satin finish option for any shelf that will be exposed to moisture. So even though you might not think about things getting wet in the kitchen, you will be wanting to keep the shelves clean and things can get a bit grimy in a kitchen. The Satin will be a much easier finish to keep clean.
Have fun and feel free to ask us for advice. We are always keen to see where the shelves will be going and any ideas we have from our past experience might help you in making your decision. If you have ideas for shelves that I haven’t covered above then we are alway open to learning and trialing new designs, so just reach out to us!
