Investing in modern, yet functional furniture has never been more important. We’re long past the stage of decorating our homes with pieces of no practical use. Multifunctional furnishings are in the limelight because of their ability to keep our home decluttered and organised. Shelves, in particular, are flexible elements that can bring value and retain that minimalist, clean look of the interior design.
Thinking about introducing some sleek shelving into your home? Here’s what you should know.
What Are the Best Materials for Shelves?
Rattan Wood
This is a palm wood that is widely used for making furniture. It’s suitable for outdoor and indoor use because it’s resistant to water, weather, and UV rays. It can be turned into different shapes and kinds of style, and it accepts paint so it comes in various colours. Having a rattan shelf in your home is low maintenance so you wouldn’t have to worry about regularly cleaning it. It’s lightweight, which means that’s easy for relocating and you don’t need to choose one place for it to stay there. You can buy a durable rattan shelf for a versatile look because it can be combined with every style and give it authenticity.
Fir Plywood
Fir is an evergreen large tree used in the making of plywood that is a manmade wood. It consists of more layers glued together. More layers mean more thickness. Fir is softwood plywood which means that it’s easy to work with. It’s light, affordable, and resilient. It has a yellowish colour with straight lines and can be made stronger with enamel paint.
Pine Wood
Pine is popular because of its beautiful look. It’s brown-yellow or lighter in colour with brown knots so it goes well with other surfaces in your home. It has broad grain lines, can be painted over with lacquer for a shiny finish or in a different colour. It’s tough but light wood and low-cost.
Particleboard
This is a manufactured wood formed from wood chips. It’s inexpensive which makes it a preferred material for building furniture when cost comes first. If you don’t like that look of wood particles, it can be painted over or covered with veneers for a smoother effect. It’s dense but may not be suitable for heavy objects because it’s not so strong and may sag.
Steel and Metal
Steel shelves are usually for outdoor use, like for sheds and garages, because of their inelegant look. But they’re very resistant, durable, and strong enough for holding heavier objects. Metal shelves are more adjustable, can have complex designs, and are used for indoor shelving. They both can be paired with other materials for a distinctive look and are easy to clean.
Plastic and Glass
Plastic is normally used for storage shelves and not decorative ones. They are installed in storage units and are really flexible and useful for lightweight things. Glass is a delicate material and may not be used for holding heavy objects but because of its appealing, clean look, it’s used in living rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms for holding small or decorative accessories.
Ways Your Space Can Benefit from Shelving
Extra Storage
If floor space is no longer an option, wall shelves are of great use. They’re great for organising and providing extra storage space without making your home look cluttered. They maximise the existing space in any room and make it look more open by creating dimension.
Shelves can be used for placing books if you don’t have more bookshelf space. They can also serve well for storing towels and toiletries in the bathroom. The kids’ room would look much cleaner if there were wall mounted shelves for toys, games, and school supplies. Installed shelves in the closet if you have unused space could make additional room for your clothes.
To make shelves in visible places look neater, you could add baskets or decorative boxes on top and fill them in with everything that you don’t have anywhere to put. Shelves in the kitchen can be used for storing jars, spices, dishes, and everything that you use daily like mugs and cups for easy reach.
Gorgeous Decor
Shelves can have a very versatile design that using them just for their decorative purpose is enough. They can have intricate metal designs, vintage rattan wood, or nice-looking pine wood design – the perfect decorative touch for any space. They can be round, triangular, or square, or they can be in the shape of a diamond, honeycomb, and many other adjustable shapes.
This would be enough by itself, but you can always add several decorations for aesthetics or display personal items. Place your favourite photographs, souvenirs, and books because they’ll look good and are always an excellent conversation starter, or decorate with interesting small dishes, vases, and plants. You could frame and put up several artworks or any other accessories that you find captivating. This is the perfect way to add a personal touch to the room and show your impeccable style.
Increased Function
Apart from holding decorations, shelves can help you achieve a Scandinavian look with their functionality and minimalism. Instead of a bulky shoe cabinet, install shelves in your hallway and place your shoes on them. You can play with different patterns and put them in rows, zigzag, or some other unique pattern. You could turn them into a minibar or even nightstands. They’re less expensive than either of those things and add a visual element to the room. Try to think of different functions for your shelves, you might be surprised by their usefulness.
A Variety of Types to Choose From!
Fixed Bracket Shelves
This type of shelves has individual brackets that serve as support and they’re fixed vertically underneath the shelf material. The brackets can be simple or decorated. These shelves come in metal and wood and are found in various shapes.
Floating Shelves
This type has hidden brackets within the shelf itself which makes the illusion of floating. Their internal brackets go from the back but don’t reach the front and are attached to the walls with screws. They are made of wood and can be found in many designs and colours.
Hanging Shelves
These shelves can hang from the ceiling where they are attached with screw hooks, rope, or metal or wooden parts that are fixed to the ceiling. They can be also mounted on walls and hang down attached with rope. The usual combination is rope and wood so they give more of a rustic and laid-back vibe.
Corner Shelves
If you have an unused corner in your house, these shelves could complement the whole look. They extend out on both walls and can be any length you want. For a minimal look try one square shelf that fits the corner and is secured on the walls. It can be floating or fixed with reinforcing brackets.
