The bookcase is a sought-after piece of furniture, reminiscent in appearance and purpose of a standard wardrobe. The main feature of this design is that it does not have a façade or walls. When making bookcase furniture, various materials are used, which is why designs made of glass or other materials are presented on the market. These products differ in production material, configurations, dimensions and other parameters, so for each unique interior it is possible to choose the optimal model.
Peculiarities
Bookcase furniture is purchased to create additional space intended for storing various small items. Usually they have an unusual appearance, so they act as a real decoration for different rooms. They resemble standard racks, as they are equipped with numerous shelves, due to which they are multifunctional and spacious.
This furniture is compact and also has several tiers. With its help, it is possible to store a large number of small items in perfect order.
Most often, bookcases are used to contain books and flowers, and small household appliances are also installed on them. Some modern models additionally have small drawers designed for storing small items. Simple designs can be created with your own hands, for which the original ideas of the owners of residential premises are embodied. They can replace a bulky cabinet containing a large number of different items, and at the same time they do not take up much space. They are small in size, so if necessary they can be moved from one place to another.
Most products are purchased by people because of their appearance. This is because these shelving units come in numerous varieties, with the emphasis being on exceptional looks.
Functionality
For fruit
A multi-tiered fruit bowl is made of metal, plastic or ceramics and is used to decorate a holiday table or for daily storage of fruit in the kitchen. There are floor and tabletop options. Most often they come in round and oval shapes.
for fruit
For flowers
Special stands will help you arrange pots with indoor flowers neatly, beautifully and compactly. The most popular options:
- floor-mounted - made of metal, wood or plastic, with durable legs or ring fastenings;
- with wheels - move around the house, making it easier to care for plants;
- wall-mounted - hung on the wall using hooks and hanging mechanisms;
- on the windowsill - help in organizing a “flower garden” on the window;
- corner - preserve the usable space of the living space;
- balcony - attached to the loggia railings or using a special design.
for flowers
For toys
Convenient and stable functional shelves have a durable MDF frame with several grooves for installing plastic containers or shelves. Purpose: storage of toys, board games, construction sets and other children's little things. These modules are adjustable in height, their location changes depending on the growth of the child.
for toys
With drawers
The retractable design allows you to optimally organize space; it is most often used for fruits, vegetables, office supplies, household chemicals, and tools. These shelving units are a great addition to a kitchen, bath, hallway or pantry.
with small drawers
with deep drawers
Kinds
These designs are actually produced in a large number of types. They differ in appearance, size, production material and other factors.
Office
Racks used in different office spaces are highlighted separately. They are indispensable elements that ensure a comfortable working process. Their main features include:
- They are small in size, so they easily fit into small areas located next to each employee’s desk;
- They have good capacity, so they can store numerous papers, small items or other elements;
- Available in standard colors and optimal design, perfect for an office work environment;
- the most popular are structures made of metal.
Typically, office shelving is purchased for each employee, so all these products in one office have the same appearance.
Household
These shelves are usually used in residential premises. They are installed in the kitchen or bedroom, and their main purpose is to store various small items, books or even household tools or dishes.
Household shelving can be created with your own hands, and for this you can use different materials. They usually have a standard appearance. They do not use any specific decorative elements, so they do not decorate the premises. Most often, the minimalist style is chosen for them, so they take up little space and do not stand out in any way in the room.
Decorative
Such furniture shelves are presented in numerous versions, and also have the following features:
- designed to decorate any interior;
- perfectly match the specific style formed in the room;
- they wander around not too spacious;
- do not have numerous functionalities;
- They have unusual shapes and unique colors.
Numerous different materials are used to make decorative shelves, and the most popular are designs that combine different components.
Style for grandma or a new word in design?
The shelves with an old-fashioned design that grandmothers have in their kitchens may seem superfluous in a modern kitchen. Of course, designers solved this problem long ago and created shelves that not only fit, but also highlight a modern kitchen.
Shelves need to be installed in your kitchen if the goal is to create more free time and a functional system in a small kitchen.
The idea of using a shelf to store a variety of items is not only worthy, but also most relevant for a large part of kitchens. A cabinet without borders and walls is more convenient than usual and beautiful in terms of style. If you put open shelves instead of wall cabinets, this will create more freedom in the kitchen and this is very important for our homes. Any designer will advise you to choose a light and lightweight bookcase for a light look.
Forms
Shelves are presented in numerous types, and different models differ in shape. If you make the racks yourself, you can get a design that has the most optimal configuration for a particular room.
When choosing the optimal shape, take into account the advice of designers:
- if the room is long, then a rectangular shelf will fit well into it;
- if there is a room with unoccupied corners, then they can be filled with small corner structures that have good functionality;
- for interiors characterized by smooth curves, models in the form of an oval or circle are perfect;
- For a room designed in a minimalist style, in which straight lines predominate, rectangular or square bookcases are well suited.
Designers recommend that when using straight and standard cabinets or sets, complement such a room with an asymmetrical attractive bookcase that dilutes the standard interior.
Varnishing
Like painting, this operation should be carried out in a room with good ventilation. And before it you need to practice. You need to spray the varnish from a distance of 30 cm, and make smooth and wide movements. Place the part strictly horizontally. If varnish deposits are detected on the surface, then it is necessary to increase the distance from the nozzle to the product.
Varnishing furniture boardSource dopracy.ru
The finishing operation is carried out in several stages. After applying the first layer, it is allowed to dry completely, and then the surface is rubbed with fine sandpaper. The application process is repeated until the visual result is satisfactory.
Manufacturing materials
If you plan to make the structure yourself, then different materials can be chosen to create it. The materials most often used for these purposes are:
- plastic, characterized by high strength, resistance to moisture, the presence of numerous colors, ease of care and low price. The disadvantages of plastic structures include their not very attractive appearance. They are difficult to fit into any classic or sophisticated interior styles;
- wooden bookcases are well suited for classic interiors, and also fit perfectly into Provence or country style. They are quite easy to make with your own hands. Wood is considered an easy-to-work material, so it can be used to create structures of different shapes and sizes. They are not too expensive, and at the same time they can have numerous inserts from other materials. The disadvantages of the designs include low resistance to high humidity, so it is not recommended to use them for the bathroom;
- metal products are usually represented by forged structures. They fit perfectly into different styles, as they have a luxurious appearance. To protect structures from moisture, they should be treated with special protective agents. Their cost is considered quite high;
- shelves made of chipboard or MDF are the most affordable. They can have different shapes and colors. They are environmentally friendly and resistant to moisture, if they do not contain formaldehyde, and are also coated with a special protective impregnation;
- glass shelves are the most beautiful designs. They are attractive, and for their production special tempered glass is used, which has high strength and resistance to various influences. They can have different shapes and sizes, so you can choose the appropriate design for each room.
Thus, different materials are used to create bookcases. They have their own characteristics, so when choosing a specific design, the raw materials used for its production must be taken into account.
Wood Plastic Metal Chipboard MDF Glass
High tech
Those who are bored with the old and classic are offered new, super-fashionable bedrooms for 2022.
Technological innovations in everything: new household appliances, the triumph of light, an abundance of chrome and metal. Unusual combinations of materials, shapes and colors are the attributes of high-tech.
Here, several types of lighting, contrasting colors or various shapes are possible in one room.
To prevent the bedroom from seeming too cool, multi-colored lighting constantly transforms the room.
To combine nature with technology - a plasma on the entire wall of the bedroom with a painting. You can use 3D photo wallpapers and self-leveling 3D floors.
Rules for selection and placement
Shelves can be installed in different areas of the premises. It is advisable to choose an area where the product will be most convenient to use. It depends on the purpose, so if there are books on it, then it is mounted next to the sofa or armchair, and if it contains shoes, then it is suitable for the corridor.
When choosing such a design, the following factors are taken into account:
- high functionality;
- attractiveness;
- compliance with the interior and tastes of the owners;
- safety of use.
Photos of various shelves can be seen below. These designs are functional and attractive elements of any interior. They have different sizes and shapes, and at the same time they are installed in such areas of the room where they will be most convenient to use.
Bright shades
Most people do not resort to using bright colors in the kitchen, believing that the best colors for it are light ones. Indeed, if the kitchen is small, then the choice of color palettes is limited, because bright colors: red, burgundy, purple, etc., visually reduce the space.
Those who boast a large space should know that now, in addition to white, the combination of yellow and gray in the kitchen is leading. Manufacturers also offer consumers unusual, original, bright wallpapers that do not look cheap at all.
If you want brightness, then kitchen facades in rich colors will refresh the interior and make it more interesting.
Installation methods
Floor shelves for bathrooms can vary in many ways and have their own design features. According to the installation method, there are corner, straight, built-in, mobile (on wheels) and telescopic floor structures.
Corner
Such models are very compact and easy to use. Such furniture is placed in the free corners of the bathroom, which can significantly save space. Corner floor racks for bathrooms are produced mainly with open shelves that have a perforated bottom. Holes in the horizontal shelves provide free passage of moisture, so things stored on the shelf do not deteriorate due to dampness.
Direct
Straight structures are placed along the wall. In addition to shelves, such models may have drawers and baskets. Shelves with drawers are more spacious and are used not only for storing cosmetics, but also towels and clothes. There are also combined straight floor structures that provide both open shelves and drawers.
Built-in
Often, shelves are built into existing interior structures; they are small in size and installed under the sink or bathtub. Typically, such a piece of furniture is used to store household chemicals. Built-in designs allow you to make good use of every free centimeter in the bathroom.
Mobile
The shelves, equipped with small wheels, are quite mobile. This mobile model is convenient to use in large rooms, where the distance from the sink and bathtub is quite large. The shelves on the rack with wheels have a special anti-slip coating, so things will not fall off the shelf when the structure is moved.
Telescopic
These models provide the ability to adjust the height of the shelf. The telescopic structure can have a height from floor to ceiling. This model is perfect even for very small bathrooms. As a rule, the lower part of the frame does not have shelves, which allows you to install a shelf above a washing machine or toilet. And special narrow versions of telescopic stainless steel structures for showers are also produced.
Summing up
The brighter and more expressive the interior, the sooner it will get boring or go out of fashion. If an annual renovation of your kitchen walls is not part of your plans, your best option would be to stick to classic, modern, or minimalism. It is advisable to choose a color in accordance with your wishes: cool, calm tones give relaxation and comfort, bright, saturated shades inspire cheerfulness and optimism.
If there is not enough natural lighting in the kitchen, it is better to avoid dark tones; blue and green will give a feeling of coolness, yellow and orange - warmth.
Photo from www.houzz.com
What criteria do you use to choose kitchen shelving?
What to pay attention to when buying a ready-made rack is its additional functions. Open design accessible from both sides
It is well suited as a conventional border between the kitchen and the dining room, separating the work area from the dining area. At the same time, you can put spices, salt, and other seasonings used daily for cooking and additives in ready-made dishes.
Regardless of how much the purchased structure costs, if chosen correctly, it will quickly justify the cost of its purchase by creating comfortable conditions for preparing food and placing all the necessary items at hand.
What could be the design?
In order for the selected piece of furniture to fully correspond to the desires and needs, one should not lose sight of the design and shapes that the bookcase may have. In this case, one should take into account not only the appearance of the product, which should be an organic part of the interior as a whole, but also provide additional comfort, convenience and benefit.
All this is taken into account by manufacturers who create numerous modifications of whatnots, thereby providing the buyer with a wide choice of models.
A more classic option is a shelf in the shape of a square or rectangle. The most important advantage of this model is its versatility - it can be installed in almost any room.
An oval-shaped shelf will also be an original model. Such a modification usually requires more free space for itself, but the smooth and original lines of this model are worth it.
In addition to the listed forms, there are other modifications of a more complex design. Such models are sold ready-made, and the required form can also be ordered from a specialist.
As a rule, bookcases are floor-mounted. Thus, the current market situation allows even the most fastidious consumer to find a model that suits him.
Shelving options
There are a huge number of types of shelves. They can be made of different materials and with different functions, of different structures. This will allow you to install a suitable shelf in any kitchen, be it a classic kitchen or a more modern one. Perhaps even find a shelf for the kitchen in a modern style. The bookcases are unique in that they are absolutely universal and can create originality in any interior.
It is important to remember that you need to choose not only based on the beauty of the bookcase, but also on whether it matches the items in your kitchen
If your kitchen has an ethnic or historical style, a shelf made of wood is most suitable. And the tree can be either strict or with carved shapes. Beautiful wooden shelves can be the best decoration in the interior. If your kitchen is in country or Provence style, forged parts of a wooden shelf will suit you.
There are cheap variations of chipboard shelves suitable for modern-style kitchens. Such a piece of furniture will be very invisible due to the design and shade of the shelves. Such shelves are not displayed, but are used only for rational storage of kitchen utensils.
Plastic models are the best. They do not require special care and weigh little. This makes them highly desirable.
In addition to spectacular and simple shelves, there are also shelves equipped with various baskets and drawers. This makes storage even more functional and bright. Also, in addition to square and rectangular shapes, there are also round, oval and asymmetrical. Designers offer a variety of bright and beautiful options that turn your kitchen into a territory of creativity and originality.
Thus, you can understand that whatnots come in a wide variety and there are many options. They can perfectly match any kitchen design and fit perfectly into any interior. Laconic, functional, comfortable. Shelves have proven that they are not a relic of antiquity, but rather a useful and necessary thing in the kitchen, especially if you have a small kitchen.
Which shelf to choose for the kitchen?
First you need to decide on the types of these simple structures:
- With open shelves
Classic models, assembled according to the principle of “4 racks + a lot of shelves,” can have any size, but are always made without side walls. However, to prevent small objects from falling through, you can sew up one side yourself, for example, with a sheet of hardboard. In any case, you will have to carefully monitor the order on the open shelves of the bookcase, since everything will be in plain sight. Treat this as an opportunity to decorate the interior of the kitchen: store cereals here in identical stylish jars, neatly folded towels in the color of the furniture or decoration. In the end, you can simply rearrange the pots with green plants here.
- Shelves with drawers or baskets
In fact, these are cabinets that are very convenient for storing small items, cutlery, cereals and vegetables. They have a small height so that it is easy to look into the drawers. Only the top cover remains as a shelf. In a cramped kitchen, it can be used as an additional surface for installing a microwave or electric kettle.
- Combined
These cabinets only resemble bookcases on top, and at their base there is a closed box with one or two drawers. This design provides the furniture with greater stability and functionality. But they will be useful in the kitchen only if you are ready to bend over for the necessary utensils. Therefore, items that are not used very often are usually sent down.
- Mobile shelves
They are equipped with convenient swivel wheels and can additionally have a railing handle. Such models are not compact, although they are short in stature. But if you store food or utensils in them that are constantly needed, the ability to move the shelf cart around the kitchen will not be superfluous.
- Hanging
Small structures with 2-4 shelves can also do a good job if you put jars of spices here or place tea pairs. But in both cases, each tier must be equipped with a protective side that prevents stored items from falling.
In the kitchen there is always a lot of small utensils that should be at hand, but at the same time, by their very appearance, they can clutter the room. If this problem is close to you, take a closer look at whatnots with side pockets or hooks on which to hang potholders, cutting boards, steelyards and other items. The pockets can be used to store kitchen towels, rolls of garbage bags, foil, napkins or magazines with your favorite recipes.
