Corner Shelves - The Hottest Kitchen Trend This Year

Kitchens are the heart of the home, where family and friends gather to cook, eat, and spend quality time together. With open floor plans becoming more popular, kitchens are also taking on a decorative role as well. Corner shelves are now one of the most popular kitchen trends, offering smart storage solutions while also showcasing personal style.

Corner shelves provide easy access to frequently used cooking items while freeing up precious counter space. Their clever design takes advantage of often underutilized space to add function and flair to your kitchen design.

The Many Benefits of Corner Shelving

It's easy to see why corner shelves are having such a moment right now. Here are some of the biggest benefits that make them a smart choice:

• Maximize unused space in kitchen corners and near counters
• Increase storage capacity without remodeling
• Create vertical storage for improved organization
• Add decorative flair with their attractive shapes
• Provide convenient access to everyday items
• Free up counter space by moving items off countertops
• Show off pretty dishware, cookbooks and accents

Whether your goal is to declutter, better organize your kitchen tools and ingredients, or just add some modern style, corner shelves check all the boxes.

Choosing the Right Corner Shelf Design

With so many options, selecting the perfect corner shelves for your kitchen might seem difficult initially. But thinking about your personal style, storage needs, and budget will help narrow your choices.

Minimalist Floating Shelves

Floating shelves offer lightweight open storage perfect for small kitchens or minimalist styles. Their simplistic ledge design provides a place to neatly display a few choice items. Glass, metal, or wood materials give you different looks to suit your preferences.

Floating corner shelves have a light and airy aesthetic that doesn’t overwhelm the eye. Their open concept shows off pretty dishware and kitchen tools. Just be sure not to overload them since they typically only hold up to 15 pounds.

Sturdy Wall-Mounted Shelves

For robust closed storage that blends into your cabinetry, wall-mounted cabinets are a wonderful choice. Their solid wooden frames and doors keep contents neatly hidden away. Meanwhile, shelves built right into the frame organize pots, pans, and other necessities.

Wall-mounted corner cabinets provide discreet storage that mimics your existing cabinetry. Their quality wood construction and simple shaker-style doors effortlessly match most kitchen designs. With their ample storage capabilities, they are ideal for stashing bulkier items or appliances off countertops.

Space-Saving Tiered Shelving

Multi-tiered shelving units maximize your corner space by stacking shelves vertically. Combining open ledges and cabinet storage lets you organize a variety of kitchen equipment from dishes to appliances.

The rustic farmhouse style of tiered shelves adds a charming accent to cottage-style kitchens. Their multiple shelves clear counter clutter by storing everything from cookbooks, spices, and canisters to stand mixers in one organized spot.

Prime Locations to Install Corner Shelving

Finding the optimal spot for your new corner shelves depends on your kitchen layout and how you plan to use them. Here are some of the best spots to consider:

Above the Kitchen Sink

The space surrounding your sink is prime real estate for corner shelves. Keep dish soap, scrub brushes, and sponges within arm’s reach. Shelves above the sink also provide the perfect platform for displaying colorful glass bottles, shells, and other pretty objects.

Just be sure to choose water-safe materials like coated wood, metal, or laminate that can withstand splashes. And leave some open space between shelves for taller items like vases.

Near the Stovetop

Bring your cooking essentials right to your prep station by placing corner shelves near the stove. Keep oils, spices, condiments, and utensils close at hand for cooking convenience. For safety, look for sturdy, heat-resistant shelf materials here.

Shelves near the stovetop make an excellent home for cookbooks too. Having recipes readily available will make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Just try to avoid flimsy paperbacks which could fall apart over time.

In Dead Corner Space

Take advantage of the awkward, often unusable space where two walls meet. Corner shelves can utilize this dead space to provide storage and display opportunities. Angled shelving fits perfectly here since it follows the room’s dimensions.

Be sure there are wall studs to securely anchor deep, wall-mounted shelves in corners. Heavy-duty floating shelves with triangular brackets work well too. Just double-check for adequate support to prevent cracking under heavy loads.

Material and Style Considerations

Choosing materials with function and form in mind results in beautiful, practical corner shelves. Consider these top options:

Wood Shelving

The warmth of wood infuses kitchens with natural beauty. Oak, maple, and walnut have tight grains ideal for withstanding humidity and spills. Properly sealed, a wood corner shelf will last for years with minimal upkeep required.

Wood species like pine and poplar are budget-friendly options too. Just watch for knots which could weaken shelves over time. Opt for a factory-painted finish for maximum durability.

Metal Corner Shelves

Sleek stainless steel, brushed brass, or antiqued copper shelves provide an industrial touch. Metal stands up well to kitchen conditions while offering a contemporary, almost sculptural look. They nicely balance wood cabinetry.

Wrought iron corner shelves with glass windows FEEL both vintage and modern. Their airy, see-through storage puts cherished dishware on display. Small metal risers keep contents from sliding around.

Glass or Acrylic Shelving

For a delicate, transparent look, glass or acrylic shelving fits the bill. Items stored on these open shelves make a pretty display. Glass shelves with intrinsic metal trim add decorative detail.

The downside is that clear shelves are prone to smudging and fingerprints. Plus, their lightweight frames can only handle up to 10-15 pounds. But for select items, the aesthetic appeal outweighs their delicate nature.

Styling Your New Focal Point

Once your shelves are installed, the fun part begins - styling them! Consider these ideas for maximizing their form and function:

• Pretty baskets or bins to corral small items
• Sleek canisters for a coordinated look
• Cup hooks for hanging utensils
• Cozy lighting for ambiance
• Fresh herbs and plants
• Artful displays of dishware
• Framed artwork or inspiring quotes

Let your personal taste shine through in the items you decorate your new corner shelves with. They present a wonderful opportunity to showcase your unique style.

While some simple floating shelves use self-adhesive or anchor into drywall alone, most corner shelves require securely fastening to wall studs for adequate support.

Follow manufacturer instructions for exact mounting procedures. But in general, you'll want to:

• Locate and mark wall studs
• Purchase quality metal brackets
• Use a level and measure multiple times
• Predrill bracket holes into studs if needed
• Anchor shelves securely into studs

Enlisting the help of a handy friend can make installation much easier. But with proper care, planning, and materials, even novices can install sturdy corner shelves themselves.

With their smart storage capabilities and eye-catching designs, it’s easy to see why corner shelves are now one of the hottest trends in kitchen design. Their attractive style and practical organization solutions make them a focal point that improves any kitchen.