Wall shelves: unobtrusive and practical decoration in your home

Wall shelves are an interior design element that is designed for storing and displaying small items. Hollow structures often play more of a decorative role than a practical one. You won't hide anything there, so everything that is displayed on the shelves should have a decent appearance. Wall shelves are also a way to highlight your personality in the interior and add a few words about yourself in the form of specific objects. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to hang several classic boards or extraordinary designs to decorate a beautiful interior.

Why are shelves on the wall attractive?

The shelves make an excellent surface for storing homemade knick-knacks, and the built-in frames in sturdy brackets can also be used as space for books. Thanks to the shelves, the walls in the house do not seem empty; they also create the impression of coziness. The approach to furniture such as shelves can vary. There are supporters of classic, simple boards hanging in a certain pattern, but there are also those who choose models with interesting shapes, casually hanging them on the wall.

Advice! No matter what shape you choose, shelves are an interesting addition to your home's decor. Therefore, if you want to avoid the impression of an “unfinished design,” then mount them on the wall.

Mount selection

Finished products are mounted on the wall with several types of fastenings, each of which is designed to perform its specific functions.

Furniture fittings

1. Shelf supports .
   Relatively new products that are built directly into a wall shelf. Shelf supports are hidden structures that remain unnoticed after installation. Concealed shelf holder
2. Holders-brackets .
   Designed for fastening large shelves that must withstand heavy loads. For example, bracket holders are used when attaching shelves for a microwave oven. Where to place the microwave
3. Mortise mount . Another type of fastening used when installing wall shelves. Its peculiarity is that the product is installed inside the board itself.
4. Overlay holder . A simple product that needs to be attached to the wall, and the shelf itself is installed on top of the overhead holder.

Shelf holder

Note! Experts recommend installing fasteners at the corners of the wall structure, and if the shelf is intended to store heavier items, then for reinforcement you need to install additional holders in the amount of 2-4 pieces. This will increase the strength of the structure.

DIY modern wall shelves

You can easily make your own hanging shelf! After all, you can create an amazing effect in the interior with their help. It turns out that simple solutions have many possibilities for stunning arrangements. It doesn't have to be just planks. You can design rectangular shelves, which are then combined into pairs or three-piece combinations. The use of modern materials, glossy surfaces, simple shapes and minimalism brings freshness to the interior. Everything looks very interesting.

Handcrafting that sparks your creativity is a great way to create furniture for practical use. Pride, satisfaction and something truly personal in your apartment are arguments that speak for themselves. The beautiful, geometric shape of frame furniture fits well with the latest trends. You can put together a shelf using natural wood as your desired finishing material. You will be delighted with a creation that is the result of personal ingenuity, creativity and wonderful imagination. A wooden shelf will greatly enliven a bedroom, children's room, or living room of different styles:

• Scandinavian;

• minimalist;

• modern.

Wall shelves: types

• classic;
• horizontal;
• hanging;
• vertical;
• inclined;
• multi-tiered;
• rectangular, hexagonal, square;
• rounded.

Original illuminated shelves

Shelves hanging on the wall are not only about shape, color, material, but also about the idea of ​​playing with light in the interior. An example of such fun are solutions hanging on the wall with lighting. When they are illuminated, they create an interesting picture. Such an arrangement will perfectly complement the interior, giving charm to the living room, mystery to the bedroom, and intimacy to the bath during water treatments.

Features of placing wall shelves

Highlight an unused space with contrasting wallpaper or colored fabric, hang a small mirror or picture, paint it and you will see that your row of shelves has turned into an independent and very significant interior feature, just like, for example, a fireplace

As already mentioned, you can place shelves anywhere and in any way. However, you need to remember a few nuances. So. Before attaching a wall decoration, think about whether it will become a “place to hit” your head or other parts of the body. If you have the slightest fear, try to move it. Models with smoothed corners will also be a good way to prevent bruises and bumps. Although wall shelves in the interior are considered a decorative element, they also need to be decorated. One of the successful solutions in this case will be the use of spotlights, which will advantageously highlight both the piece of furniture itself and what is on it. The section of the wall that will remain above or between them also requires attention. Highlight an unused space with contrasting wallpaper or colored fabric, hang a small mirror or picture, paint it and you will see that your row of shelves has turned into an independent and very significant interior element, just like, for example, a fireplace.

Wall mounted bookshelves in an unusual shape

Do people read books in paper form today? It's over, yes. Many people organize special beautiful places for storing them in the form of original shelves. This is a great idea for an interior accent. Wall shelves are, first of all, a way to arrange a wall, helping to place your favorite books on them in the living room or office, as well as educational literature in a schoolchild’s children’s room. The shape of such shelves should not be strictly standard. Moreover, the classics can be completely nullified by creating concave and convex structures in non-standard solutions. An interesting effect of an amazing interior will be created thanks to such designs for books.

Hanging shelf-shelf

For those people who have to move frequently, large furniture is not suitable. Therefore, when choosing a wall shelf design, it is advisable to give preference to convenient models that do not take up much space. These include a hanging shelf-shelf . You can place books, various seasonings, flowers and other small items on it. In addition, the hanging shelf can be folded if desired. Below are step-by-step instructions for making such a shelf.

Step 1 . Prepare all the necessary materials for work. These include hooks, wooden planks and rope. Once everything is ready, you can begin work.

What is needed to make a shelf-shelf

Step 2 . Dip the rope into a small container filled with acrylic paint of a matching color. If you like a shelf with unpainted rope, then you need to skip this step.

Painted rope

Step 3 . Wait 20 minutes until the paint is completely dry and the rope is dry. To speed up this process, place the rope in a warm place.

The rope needs to dry

Step 4 . Using a ruler and a pencil, make marks on the board where you need to make holes for the rope.

The board needs to be marked

Step 5 . Select a drill of the appropriate diameter and drill holes in the marked locations. It is advisable to use a feather drill for this purpose. Make 4 holes in each of the boards.

A feather drill is used

Note! Place a small piece of wood under the bottom of the board that is being drilled. This is necessary to prevent damage to its lower part during the drilling process.

Step 6 . Once all the holes are ready, paint the boards in the pre-selected color. Wait a while for the surface of the future shelves to dry.

Boards after painting

Step 7 . If you use a thick rope for work, then it can be unbraided into two parts, and if it is thin, it can be braided.

Thin ropes can be woven

Step 8 . Fold the rope in half and tie a knot approximately 25cm from the center. All nodes must be at the same level and the same size.

Nodes must be located at the same level

Step 9 . Pass the ends of the rope through the holes on one side of the board.

The ends of the rope are passed through the holes

Step 10 . Tie the same knots under the board to secure the shelf. Do the same actions with the other end of the rope.

Tie the same knots under the board

Step 11 . Select the optimal distance between the shelves of the future design. Then tie one knot for each shelf and secure the planks in the same way. Make sure that they are all parallel to each other.

Select the optimal distance between the shelves of the future design

Step 12 . Carefully cut the ends of the ropes, leaving the same length, and then unravel them, thereby forming peculiar tassels. If desired, you can weave multi-colored threads into the resulting tassels, thereby decorating the entire structure.

The result was some kind of brushes

Step 13 . The shelf-shelf is ready and now you can hang it on the wall. Depending on the type of wall and the material from which it is made, you need to select fasteners. Once the shelf is ready for use, you can place different items on it.

Finished shelf-shelf

Functional wall shelves in the bathroom

Modern bathrooms in apartments cannot boast of a large area. Here you should save space when organizing the interior, so practical solutions are important for the hygiene room. An alternative to traditional cabinets are hanging shelves. Thanks to this case, you will use the wall to store small items and care products. Shelves in niches, which can have completely different parameters, look beautiful. Glass products are especially attractive.

How to choose a shelf: tips

1. It is necessary to take into account the overall decoration of the room. For example, for rooms furnished in a classic style it is not appropriate to use large, wide shelves. Most often, neat shelves made of high-quality wood are placed there.
2. When choosing a material, you need to evaluate the load on the furniture product. And also choose the right fastenings.
3. When installing a shelf, you must definitely analyze where it will be safer to do it. Take into account electrical wiring, pipes, etc. If you have small children, it is not appropriate to make such furniture as floor furniture, install it too low, or use low-quality fasteners.
4. For small rooms, you can use corner, wall or folding shelves.
5. For large rooms, shelving is most suitable. Practical and at the same time they will look very chic.
6. An economical option is shelves made of glass, plasterboard, chipboard and other materials.
7. Shelves made of wood and its derivatives are not recommended for bathtubs, as they absorb moisture. It is better to design, for example, glass, plastic or ceramic.
8. Corner shelves can be good for a balcony.
9. It is better to buy a shelf with all the furniture at once during renovation, so that the whole room has the same interior style, a certain color scheme. If you only need a shelf, then we take into account the existing interior.
10. If you have the opportunity and desire, it is better to seek advice from a designer who knows all the nuances in this matter.

Showing your imagination, you can make a shelf yourself, or simply choose one by going to the store. But all this should bring pleasure and create comfort, beauty, coziness at home or serve for practical purposes. Ultimately, each person is guided by his own taste.

Kitchens with shelves instead of cabinets: photos of designs in different styles

If for several years there was a tendency to hide all kitchen utensils in closed cabinets, today there is a tendency towards maximally open interiors. Shelves that display dishes, spices and other items necessary for everyday use in the kitchen are becoming fashionable. Wall shelves look great in rustic, Scandinavian and classic styles. Showcase the best you have in the kitchen.

What do you need for work?

Having decided on the material and type of construction, you need to take care of a set of tools for the job. So, to make a wall shelf you will need:

• electric drill;

Woodworking tools

• a set of screws and a screwdriver;
• a hand saw (if available, you can replace the saw with a jigsaw);
• construction level (may be needed during installation of the finished shelf);
• a simple pencil;
• tape measure, meter or other measuring instrument;
• crosshead screwdriver;
• hammer;
• work gloves and safety glasses;
• sandpaper or sanding machine.

You can use an old pallet for making

We must not forget about the material, the amount of which will depend on the drawing of the future project. Once everything you need is at hand, you can begin making the hanging shelf. This is a simple process if you follow all the recommendations and strictly follow the instructions.

Children's hanging shelves

Almost every children's room has hanging shelves. Why? This is very comfortable furniture, thanks to which the child can instantly find everything quickly. Storage for books, stationery, various jars and boxes can act as a spacious shelf on the wall. The design of such a structure does not have to be classic. Come up with your own original shelf for the nursery so that no one else has such furniture.

Wall shelves for every room should be durable and have a timeless design. Check out the gallery to see what creative furniture can look like in modern design! You will definitely like the ideas presented.

Shelves in the bedroom

The interior of this room must be carefully planned, and therefore attention should be paid to the smallest detail. Most often, wall shelves are installed as a design element; photographs, books, and souvenirs are placed on them. A winning design solution is to place a shelf on the wall directly above the bed. This gives the room freshness and unusualness.

Design Features

If previously we could only purchase a bookshelf of a standard rectangular shape, today their choice is amazing. At the same time, not only the shape, but also the types of fastening may be different.

Bookshelves can be wall-mounted, which are attached to the wall, or floor-mounted, placed on the floor near the wall. Floor-standing models differ in their dimensions, so they are usually used in rooms with a large area. They are also used for zoning a room. Their front side can be open or closed. Their traditional shape is rectangular. This design has one or several elements with different options for placing books.

The shape of the shelf may be different. In the interior you can often find invisible models. This effect can be achieved due to the fact that the entire space is filled with books. Zigzag options, models in the shape of a staircase and the option with a pile of shelves look interesting.

Bookshelves, whose design resembles a honeycomb and follows the contours of an animal or a letter, look unconventional, but very impressive.

Thanks to the huge variation in design, the bookshelf can not only fit into any interior, but also demonstrate the individuality of the owner of the house. Even if the room is decorated in high-tech or modern styles, there is also room for a shelf made of metal or glass. But in this case they should be small and straightforward. Chaotically arranged products look great.

Materials

Even for such simple products there is a wide choice of materials.

• Tree. A classic option that fits perfectly into any design. Wooden shelves are considered versatile and durable. They can withstand heavy loads, so they are suitable for books, dishes and other heavy utensils.
• Chipboard/chipboard. Moisture-resistant material is often used in the manufacture of bathroom shelves. Structures made of chipboard or chipboard can be finished with plastic, veneer or film of any shade.
• Metal. It has high characteristics, is a high-quality, durable, strong and reliable material. Metal models blend harmoniously into an interior in a minimalist or hi-tech style.
• Glass. Hanging products can be made of plain, tempered, colored or embossed glass. They look stylish, fashionable, do not weigh down the walls and fill the atmosphere with airiness.
• Plastic. Shelves made of inexpensive, pliable plastic have a simple and luxurious appearance at the same time and easily imitate various natural materials.

The photo shows laconic shelves on the wall made of black metal.

Not only the strength qualities of the product, but also its configuration, character and style decision depend on the choice of material.

Advantages of wall shelves

Wall shelves are still very popular. In addition to their real design benefits, they perform several practical functions that make them the first furniture to be placed in an apartment or house.

You shouldn’t write them off, since they can easily replace a couple of cabinets or cabinets, and the room will only benefit from this.

The advantages of shelves include:

• Unloading space. They take up as much actual space as a cabinet or rack, but the space is not cluttered. There is no better way to organize a room. For example, a shelf above the bed in the bedroom will allow you to get rid of the bedside table, and this will save 50 square centimeters.
• They can be adjusted individually. A shelf is just a strip that can be of any depth and width.

• You can visually store your collectibles. Collectors of services or porcelain often store it in sideboards, where they are simply unnoticeable. Why not keep them in sight? The same can be done with collectible figurines, board games, and discs.
• Shelves are elements of an art object. Only they are enough to completely change the room and make it nicer and neater.

How do they look in different interior styles?

Original design options for different style solutions.

Photo of wall shelves in loft style

For the urban direction, they prefer the most simple and primitively processed wall structures. Metal rods, rusty iron pipes, various taps, bolts and screws can be used in the manufacture of products. Also in the loft style, bright yellow, red, orange and other shelves in contrasting colors would be appropriate.

The photo shows a loft-style living room with a brick wall decorated with a long black shelf.

Shelves in a classic interior

Miniature shelves with metal consoles, straight or corner wood products will harmoniously fit into the classic design. Forged models decorated with lace elements and openwork curls will also match the surrounding design.

The photo shows multi-level shelves on the wall in a classic style interior.

Examples of shelves in a Scandinavian interior

There are products made from natural materials here. Most often, wooden shelves are chosen, which are decorated with candles, pots with green plants, small paintings or photographs of northern animals, which favorably emphasize the stylistic direction.

The photo shows a Scandinavian-style bedroom with wooden shelves on the semicircular wall.

Shelves in Provence style

For decoration, wooden shelves coated with white paint or vintage designs with an aging effect are selected. Careless execution will give the atmosphere a special charm. Models can be decorated using forging, carving, patina, decoupage or curtains with floral patterns.

The photo shows a shelf on the wall made of aged wood in Provencal style.

Materials for making shelves for living room decor

When you come to the store, pay attention to the material from which the wall shelves are made. How durable the model will be will depend on it. It is also worth studying the mounting methods and how this or that shelf will fit into the style of your living room.

Wall-mounted and volumetric shelf made of wood for living room decoration

There are several materials that are used to make wall shelves:

1. Natural wood . These models are reliable and durable. You can safely place figurines that are dear to you or large stacks of books on them. When properly secured, they can support up to 10 kg of weight.
2. Glass . Such products look weightless and almost invisible. The shelves are quite fragile and delicate. They are not designed to hold objects. The models themselves are the decoration of the room.
3. Plastic . This material is the cheapest. There is practically no use for making wall shelves that can be hung in the living room.
4. Drywall . Shelves are made from this material and used to decorate niches. Drywall is used for homemade products.
5. Metal . Not all styles suit metal shelves. If the choice fell on such models, then let them be with a forged pattern. In this case, they will become a real decoration of the room.
6. Chipboard, MDF, LMD F. These are the most common materials for the manufacture of modern wall shelves. The products are durable, reliable, cheap, and also have a rich color palette.

Dimensions of the correct cabinet

Skeptically assess the volume of clothes or things that you plan to store in the closet. The size of the cabinet depends on their volume. Don't forget that over time you will buy more clothes and shoes and they will need to be stored somewhere.

Evaluate what you have more in your wardrobe - dresses and suits or jeans and T-shirts? What sections exactly do you need – with rods (where it’s convenient to hang clothes on hangers) or with shelves?

If space allows, choose furniture with a large number of shelves, so you will be able to store things in groups separately from each other.