Wall mounted shelving is a great way to store your things. It keeps the floor and counters free of clutter and can even add a decorative element to the room. Although you may be somewhat limited by the design of your living quarters, there is always some place that you can add a wall shelf for added storage. Wall shelving ideas are plentiful due to all the different styles and materials available. Think about your needs before adding any new storage areas to your home. Then you will be able to decide if you wall shelf ideas are practical. First make sure to get rid of all your unused and needless possessions which we all have too much of.

Decorative Wall Shelves

Some people don’t like the look of shelves attached to the wall because of unsightly brackets. There are two solutions for this problem. Buy decorative wall shelf brackets or use floating wall shelves that attach directly to the wall through a hidden bracket attached to the back of the shelf.  You do not see any bracket with a floating wall shelf, hence the look of the shelf floating. Floating shelves give the sense that they are fancy built-in ledges.

Glass wall shelves are very attractive and blend well next to windows or glass door display cabinets. Another idea is to create the image of a shelf blending into the wall. This can be achieved if the shelf is the same color as the wall. White wall shelves are clearly suitable for white walls. They also tend to be one of the cheaper shelf choices.

If you have a black book shelf or entertainment unit, you can add black wall shelves to the wall directly next to the book shelf. A black wall shelf will create the illusion that the shelves are part of the book shelf and gives you added storage space. Similarly, if you have a wood book shelf, entertainment center or any other kind of display case in your home, wooden wall shelves attached to the wall right next to that piece of furniture will create that same look of extending the unit and creating more storage space. Make sure to choose a wooden wall shelf however made out of the same type of wood as the piece of furniture it will sit next to. If your furniture is made of oak then get an oak wall shelf. Similarly if you have furniture made out of cherry wood you’ll want a cherry wall shelf next to it to make sure it blends in. If you have little furniture but white walls, a white wall shelf in the corner can be both inconspicuous and add space at the same time.  Decorative metal shelves are another style that have become popular. They come in different colors and can be simple or ornate. A corner wall shelf whether it be a floating shelf, contemporary wall shelf or a simple wall display shelf is an excellent way to turn an otherwise unused corner into a storage or display area.

Guidelines for Buying Wall Shelves

When buying shelving, there are some guidelines to keep in mind that will maximize the functionality of your shelves. If the shelves are overly deep, it will be too difficult to retrieve the things in the very back. 12 inch deep shelves are recommended for the efficiency of access. You also don’t want to install the shelves with too much height between them. The general rule is that you shouldn’t stack items more than 2 or 3 high otherwise everything will topple over when you remove an item. On high shelves you can store lightweight items that are easy to retrieve. Storing heaving things on the top shelf is actually a danger as you can hurt yourself when removing them.

Making Use of Wall Space for Wall Shelves

When I moved into an apartment without a storage room, I added shelves in the laundry room high up on the walls near the ceiling to store the things I use infrequently like suitcases and holiday decorations. Don’t forget the space over or behind a door which can give you even more added storage. If there is enough space between the top of the door and the ceiling, you can add shallow shelves. If you are budgeting, you can often save money by creating shelves out of cheap furniture that people are giving away. Use the side of an armoire for a nice long storage shelf. Use the shelves from a broken bookshelf to attach to the wall above your computer to hold your printer. A printer wall shelf will free up a lot of space on your desk and give you more room to work.

If you have very heavy things to store away in a basement or garage, steel shelving is a very strong and durable option. Stainless steel wall shelves are also popular in kitchens, especially commercial kitchens but also in homes.

The corners in rooms are usually overlooked as storage options but can add additional storage space. Corner wall shelves are great for storing decorative items or things you use frequently. You can use corner shelves in a bedroom instead of a nightstand and they are great in the bathroom to store shampoo and other shower items. If you can’t afford bathroom cabinets then any type of bathroom wall shelf can give you extra space without extra cost. Just make sure that the material the shelf is made of is suitable to the moisture that builds up in the bathroom. There are many other corner shelving ideas. Bathroom wall shelves are a must when you are cramped for space and don’t have room for a bathroom vanity.

When storing your things on wall shelves, remember that location is a premium. Store your most frequently used items in the places that are the most easily accessible. Save the difficult to reach places for things that you need infrequently. Another great idea when you don’t have a coat cupboard is to install a combination wood wall shelf with wall hooks underneath for hanging coats. The wood wall shelf can be used to store hats and other accessories and the hooks can be used for coats or bags. Just make sure that each wall hook is spaced far enough apart from each other to give enough rooms for the coats so that they aren’t on top of each other and are easy to find and retrieve.

If you don’t like the look of open wood wall shelves because you have a hard time keeping your things looking tidy, one idea is to attach wooden shutters to the shelves to hide your mess.

If you store small things like spices on a shelf, it is a good idea to group them all together in a small box or basket. This way you can take them down from your open wall shelving in one motion and return the easily as well. This not only make for easy accessibility but also allows you to easily clean or dust your open wall mounted shelves without having to remove and replace many small items to the shelf. Spices look nice stored on decorative corner shelves in your kitchen. Both floating shelving and standard wall mounted shelves look nice in a kitchen. Choose the wall mounted shelf that best suits the design of your kitchen cabinets.

The uses for wall shelves are as endless as your imagination. Look through magazines, at store displays and in other people’s home and you will find great ideas for storing your things with wall shelves. Putting up wall shelves is a great DIY home improvement project.

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1. Creating Space With Bathroom Wall Shelves
2. White Wall Shelves for a Blended Look
3. Wood Wall Shelves for Durability and Style

Adding cabinets to your bathroom will give you extra storage space, which allows you to take the clutter away from the different areas of the bathroom and hide it.  Not only does it keep the bathroom tidy and clean looking, but it helps to keep everything organized so that you are not searching and wondering where a certain product or item could be.

Wall mounted bathroom shelves are a great way to show off your special treasures.  Adding a few green plants and guest towels, can make your bathroom a place of beauty and calmness. Adding glass bathroom wall shelves draws the eye up, focusing on the reflective clean look of the shelves and makes it a focal point for your special items that you want to display.   It creates the look of more space in your bathroom, giving it a more open feel.

Wall shelves for bathroom storage are an ideal purchase to make to create that special look to your décor.  Adding floating wall shelves, creates a more streamline, especially if your space is small.  There are no brackets that show on the wall, giving it a clean look.  They give the appearance of light and airy, without having a heavy backdrop of wood.

1. Wall Shelves Create More Storage Space
2. The Beauty of Glass Wall Shelves

Black is a sophisticated color, it provides emotion and gives a room atmosphere that other colors cannot achieve. Black wall shelving  also has the benefit of being cheaper than other colors as there is less demand for it.  Personally I love dark color tones I feel they are much richer and provide a personal connection.

If you are looking for black shelves you’ll need to decide what type of material you want your shelves to be made from and what style you prefer.  Black metal wall shelves are nice as they aren’t quite as heavy as painted black wood wall shelves.  Floating black shelves are a style that will also lighten up the look of the shelf since there are no brackets.  Black floating wall shelves will blend in well  since they don’t have the backboard and bracket that regular shelves have. Choosing wall shelves with black metal frames but glass shelves is a way to accent the room without the black color you want while maintaining a lighter look than all black.

1. White Wall Shelves for a Blended Look
2. Wood Wall Shelves for Durability and Style
3. Wall Shelves Create More Storage Space

Glass wall mounted shelves not only bring beauty to any room, but they are also very easy to care for. To keep them clean only requires, a window cleaner, or just vinegar and water. Dusting is a breeze just using a handheld duster without disturbing your personal items.  If you spill water, glass shelves, won’t end up making a watermark, like wood does.  Wood on the other hand, requires polishing and veneer finishes, to make them shine. Any shelf or pieces of furniture will show dust, but wood tends to show it more then glass.

In many new designs of homes, the bathroom has become a place of relaxation and leisure. Glass bathroom wall shelves are becoming more popular in these rooms.  The glass that is used in the shelving is strong and resilient. It is made from tempered glass and can withhold the warm moist temperatures that are found in the bathroom.  Wood on the other hand, can warp and not hold up as well under these conditions.  Adding glass shelves in the bathroom, lets you display your favorite towels, and luscious green plants that give the atmosphere of tranquility.

1. Creating Space With Bathroom Wall Shelves

If you find yourself with too much stuff to display properly or too little space to store it all then it sounds like you would benefit from installing shelves.  White wall shelves come in Melamine which are quite durable and more affordable than wood.  You have a few options when deciding and my suggestion is to go with floating wall shelves which look very clean, cut and sleek, especially if you don’t want your wall shelves to be too noticeable.

Steel shelves can be made with wheels for easy transport of heavy items. If the shelving is low enough, it can also serve as workbenches that can withstand a good amount of pounding and heat. Also available, are heavy steel cabinets with steel shelving for things like tool storage. You can get lightweight steel shelving for storing things such as files and office supplies. The possibilities are endless. The main benefit to industrial steel shelving is its durability factor. It will last virtually forever, even after enduring the harshest working environment.

Steel storage shelves are also a mandatory use product in the restaurant industry. Steel walk in refrigeration shelves are especially designed to be easily adjustable and they come with standard replacement parts available for creating a custom design to suite the needs of your business. This type of stainless steel shelving is generally made of steel wire to allow for airflow and proper temperature control. Other types of steel shelving used in the restaurant industry are carts and tables. These are made with solid steel tops and can usually be adjusted in height. One of the many benefits for using steel in a food preparation area is its ability to be properly sanitized. The surfaces can be scrubbed with cleaning implements such as steel wool and grill screens unlike wood, plastic or Formica tops. It also repels food and liquid like no other product can.

For home use you can get steel shelves for your garages and basements that will last a lifetime. Since these areas are more prone to collecting dirt and dust, steel shelving adds the benefit of easy to clean surfaces. As stainless steel grows ever more popular in the home, so do stainless steel wall shelves. They are now being produced in sleek, elegant designs to match the modern appliances. They are also available as microwave wall shelves and carts. Beautiful steel baking racks are also popular items these days. If you are planning to purchase top of the line stainless appliances, why not complete the ensemble with matching steel shelving and accessories?

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Even though floating shelves might appear delicate and maybe even frail to the naked eye, they are actually quite durable. They are capable of holding just as much weight if not more than a traditional wall shelf. Book storage, media storage such as CDs and DVDs and more are possible with floating shelves. The reason for this is because of the way they are mounted to the wall. There is a post that runs nearly the entire depth of the shelf which holds it securely in place and provides quite a bit of extra stability. The materials can vary but as a rule, they come in two main types. Either natural or painted wood is the most common type of material for these shelves. The other type is an extremely durable resin which is designed to withstand a lot of use. If you are looking for a floating wall shelf in a bright or unusual color, this is the type you will most likely find it in.

If you are looking for decorative floating shelving then you may want to consider something a little different. Floating glass shelves have a very distinguished look and blend beautifully next to bookcases, buffets or display cases with glass doors or even large wall clocks made from glass.

When looking for fabulous wall shelves, take the time to consider all the great benefits available by choosing floating wall shelves. If you do decide to use them, I’m sure you will be satisfied with your decision.

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Bathrooms are not the only place in an older home with a problem such as this. If the house is old enough, you may find that the kitchen cupboards have a few less inches in depth as well. Back when those homes were built, much more space was needed for food preparation. Now we buy a lot of pre-packaged food and need extra room for all those boxes.

One idea is to install corner wall shelves around your windows. These can hold things that are suitable to display such as vases and pretty dishes. This will free up some of that micro space in the existing cabinets without having to install new ones. Turntable corner shelving is also a great idea for the space under the counters. They give you the ability to make smaller storage items more accessible. By doing this, you will again leave more room in the smaller cabinets overhead.

As the rage for the retro look increases, a corner shelf here and there in many homes has become popular. They are not only functional, but they also add that sought after traditional appeal that only retro can give. Another thing you will often see in older homes is an extrusion from the wall where there used to be a chimney for the old wood burning stoves. A lot of these have been sealed off and covered over with sheetrock, leaving an awkward shape on the wall. This is the perfect place to put a corner wall shelf. It will look as if it was intended to be there and eliminate that odd appearance. You could install a single shelf there with a decorative piece of artwork sitting on it. You could also put corner bookshelves going from the floor to the ceiling here and maximize that space.

If your house has a rustic look, you could even play off of that and use corner wall shelves that are made of unfinished wood. If you take the time to go through your house, you will see that there are numerous possibilities for space saving with the strategic use of corner shelves.

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