Kitchen shelves: features, types and materials

The bookcase is a multi-tiered open cabinet in the form of shelves on support racks. It began its history from the Renaissance era. Then this graceful splendor was available only to rich people. They filled the shelves with various little things and expensive ostentatious trinkets. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, these designs have gained popularity again. They began to be used not only in household use, but also in hospitals, offices, etc.

Kitchen shelves have certain differences from similar furniture used in other living rooms.

• They are developed taking into account the specifics of the kitchen area and are made of moisture-resistant materials that are easy to care for and do not react to the aggressiveness of household chemicals.
• "Airy" designs, embodying severity and elegance, are easily matched to any stylized setting. The bookcase can even be introduced into the completed interior, and it will not disturb the harmony.
• A cabinet without walls and fronts blurs the boundaries in space, lets in light and becomes a perfect piece of furniture for small kitchens.
• The bookcase is not only beautiful, but also spacious. It is often made from thin but durable material and can withstand thousands of small things and even household appliances (microwave oven, food processor, toaster).
• Unlike shelves and shelves, the bookcase is mobile, it can be rearranged to another place or completely removed as unnecessary, such changes in the interior will take only a few minutes.
• The openness of the structure and access to it from any side make it possible to simplify the kitchen life as much as possible: the shelf can be loaded with things for regular use, and you no longer have to constantly slam the doors of the headset.

For three hundred years of its existence, the bookcase has acquired a wide variety of types and forms. In the kitchen interior, it is presented in a variety of options: from massive wooden models in the rustic style to graceful miniature shelving units, located on dining tables.

Kitchen shelves can be classified by material, shape, purpose, installation method, style and color.

• Tabletop... Of all types of structures, the tabletop is the smallest, but its size does not affect functionality, it conscientiously copes with its tasks. Tabletop shelves are designed for fruits, spices and other small items needed in the kitchen.

• Wall-mounted or attached... The structure does not have its own support, therefore it is attached to the wall. The whatnot can be quite narrow, which makes it unstable, as well as made in the form of a ladder with shelves instead of crossbars. Sometimes side-by-side shelves have amazing, unusual shapes, they are created for certain styles.

• Wall or hanging... A very elegant kind of hanging structures, designed for spices, cups, small beautiful jars with all kinds of filling. Such models create a special atmosphere of comfort and no matter what they are made of - wood, glass or forged metal.

• Mobile... Most often, mobile shelves are equipped with wheels; this is the most convenient type of such furniture. They can be loaded with buffet snacks, fruits, dishes and a ride to their destination. The shelves on casters are easy to move between the work and dining areas and can be temporarily moved to another room if additional space is needed.

• Floor standing with drawers... The kitchen drawer design is most useful. Whatnots have only one drawback - they collect dust on open shelves, and if they are equipped with closed drawers, then such furniture will become just perfect.

If the structure consists of plastic pull-out containers, then cereals are poured into them.

• With swivel drawers... The purpose of the swivel drawers does not differ from the drawers. The only difference is in the mechanism for opening the box itself. In such shelves, storage areas are opened using a pivot mechanism.

• With extra surface... To get the most out of the shelf, some models are equipped with additional surfaces. Thus, the structure can be transformed into a small work table.

• Corner... The shelves that fill the corner can be made of any material: cozy warm wood or metal with sophisticated openwork patterns. The shelves serve as a bar, decorative structure, or simply serve as a storage system. In any case, they are aesthetic and beautiful.

• Dividing... Wide shelves are ultra-modern structures that divide the space into two zones.

• Combined... A peculiar kind of whatnots, which has open and closed shelves, drawers, empty sections for flower pots. Different storage systems are collected in one design, but at the same time the product itself is not overloaded and looks great.

• Homemade... Do-it-yourself shelves made of pallets and wooden boxes also have a right to exist, especially if they look very nice. Such designs are ideal for pop art, loft, industrial styles.

A variety of materials is a prerequisite for the production of whatnots. Each stylistic direction has its own preferences. It is necessary to take into account the purpose of the structure.

The following materials are used for the production of whatnots.

• Metal... Most often, chrome-plated metal and wrought iron are used for kitchen products. In rare cases, copper, bronze, brass are used. Such models are suitable for retro interiors. Openwork metal shelves painted white are very beautiful. The metal structures are strong and durable, capable of withstanding the heaviest kitchen utensils. Many shelves are equipped with mesh baskets, food in them "breathes" and does not deteriorate for a long time.

• Wood... Initially, whatnots were made from wood, vines, bamboo. And they still belong to the most environmentally friendly and loved ones. Such products are in perfect harmony with wooden furniture or imitation for it. These structures can be very durable, even rude, they are used in the interiors of a rural orientation (country, chalet). At the same time, sophisticated models for retro styles and classics are also made from wood. We saw such shelves in the interiors of our grandmothers. For the production of modern structures, in addition to wood, MDF and chipboard are used. This reduces the cost of production, but the material is of lower quality, it absorbs moisture and quickly loses its attractive appearance.

• Plastic... Plastic products are well suited for kitchen conditions: they are moisture resistant, easy to clean, cheaper than other types of structures, but also inexpensive and looks. Plastic models are unstable, drawers often jam. If the stack is overloaded, it can deform.

• Glass... The structures are made of tempered glass that can withstand significant impacts. But, despite their strength, they are not acquired for loading with heavy objects. Such shelves are light, airy, and let in light. Glass models can decorate any setting, they look especially advantageous in small kitchens.

Shelves are not only extravagant and beautiful, they are practical, roomy and can perform completely different functions. Such designs are intended for dishes, kitchen textiles (tablecloths, napkins), spices, sugar, tea and coffee supplies, they can be used to install household appliances, store vegetables and cereals.

• For household appliances... The seemingly elegant and airy shelves are able to withstand weighty kitchen appliances: a microwave oven, a pressure cooker, a coffee machine, an electric kettle. With such content, structures take on an even more modern look. And the hostess is comfortable when all household appliances are collected in one place.

• For vegetables and fruits... It is convenient to store food on environmentally friendly shelves, in boxes made of vines or wooden slats. For a small amount of vegetables and fruits, mesh sections are well suited, blown from all sides with air.

• For spices... For small jars of spices, the same miniature shelves are produced, which are placed on the table or hung on the wall.

• For storing things... The kitchen is filled with all sorts of things, for which you need whatnots of various shapes and sizes. Most annoying are the little things that are difficult to find if they do not have a specific place. For such things, whatnots are indispensable.

• For dishes... On the shelf, the dishes look organic, as if they were intended for her. There are designs with special sections: only for cups or plates. There are shelves of very narrow "specialization", for example, for the Chinese tea ceremony.

To fit the bookcase into an already created kitchen design project, you should pay attention to the material and shape of the structure. For example, glass surfaces of any shape are suitable for fusion style. Handicrafts are good for interiors in the style of pop art, classicism loves clear forms and symmetry, angular and rectilinear models are suitable here.

The shelf is great in any style and beautiful examples can prove it. Baroque products are reminiscent of glass display cases for expensive dishes.

Surprisingly cozy Provence with its cute trinkets. Solid, sturdy, rustic-style aged wood construction.

A peculiar modern high-tech style prefers natural materials. Antique shabby chic shelves.

The bookcase is a unique piece of furniture that suits any interior and style, you just need to find your only perfect model.

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