How to Gain More Storage With Shelves in Unusual Places
Running out of room to put your stuff? Here are some creative ways to fit in extra shelves
By Becky Clarke, Houzz July 12, 2016
Having dedicated places to store and display your possessions is key to a tidy, practical and beautiful home. There are often areas around a house that could work a bit harder with the addition of one or more shelves. Here’s a selection of ideas.
Stay simple. A single, slim shelf above a sink not only looks attractive, but it also allows you to add personal touches to the room. Make sure the wood is varnished or waxed to protect it from the inevitable water splashes.
Always be careful when drilling into a wall where pipes and electrical wires are likely to be hidden. Run a metal and voltage detector (relatively cheap to buy) over the place you want to put the shelf first to ensure that there’ll be no mishaps.
Related:More Storage and Light for a Seattle Kitchen
Take them up the stairs. We’re used to seeing stair walls left blank or decorated with just a few pictures. Use the space to its maximum potential by asking a carpenter to add shelving where appropriate. Your books and belongings will become an attractive and colorful display.
Make sure you can access the shelves easily and safely. Store decorative or rarely used items on tricky-to-reach shelves, so you’re not balancing precariously on the stairs.
Discover other inventive ways to build storage in staircases
There are plenty of mini wall shelves on the market. Or you can cut one yourself from a plank of wood, round the corners so that they’re smooth, then fix the shelf on small brackets.
This example is part of a box casing, but you could use the same idea to fit a simple shelf instead. Cut a piece of ¾-inch-thick wood to the desired length and smooth the cut ends with sandpaper. Use a level to mark the underside level on the wall (position the shelf slightly higher than the sofa back). Fit brackets to the wall and screw the shelf on top.
Reach upward. You can add a column of invisible bookshelves in even a small space — the sort that fit under the back cover of a book, meaning that only the books are visible, as if magically suspended. Hang a set behind a door, above a side table or on either side of the bed to make use of blank wall space.
Even a solo version of this type of shelf will do a good job of scooping your bedside reading off the floor.
Use a beam. If you have an open-plan area with a steel I-beam bisecting the space, make the most of it by using it as a shelf, either for small treasures or, if it’s wide enough, for paperbacks, as shown here. Paint it the same color as the ceiling for a discreet look, or try a strong shade — like this dramatic black — to make it a feature in itself.
This is a great place to display a collection. If you don’t have one yet, start one! Gather something like pure white vessels, which look great jumbled together on a shelf. Keep an eye out for pieces in thrift stores — the odd crack won’t matter if they’re up high.
In a small space, screw short battens to the side walls and rest a plank on top; add a central support on longer spans.
In a hall, it’s ideal for baskets of gloves and scarves; in a bathroom, it works well for toiletries awaiting their turn. This is a missed opportunity if you leave the wall bare!
Related: Nightstands and Bedside Tables
Tell us: What’s the most unusual place you’ve put a shelf? Share your ideas in the Comments below.