Guide to Home Wall Shelving

Home wall shelving is a great way to add to the storage space and appearance of your home. Wall shelving comes in a large variety of designs and is made from several different materials. When selecting shelving for your home you should consider factors such as choosing the appropriate material, the planned location for the shelves, and the purpose of the shelves.

Material

Modern shelving is made from several materials that are very diverse in durability and appearance. The most popular materials are the following:

• Wooden shelving - This is a popular choice because the shelves combine durability with a wide range of choices in shades and hues that often blend with the color schemes of most homes.


• Plastic shelves - Designed mostly with increasing storage space in mind. These shelves are not often the most attractive choices and are typically used in the least trafficked areas of the home, such as closets and bathrooms.


• Metal shelving - Usually a very durable choice and is available in both industrial and ornamental designs. The industrial designs are commonly used areas such as garages, while ornamental metal shelving is used throughout the home.

Location

The location of the shelving is an important consideration because certain shelf-designs are meant for specific areas such as corners. Other shelves are meant to save space and are useful in closets or other narrow spaces, such as below kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Purpose

Purpose is a major factor in choosing what type of shelving is appropriate, ideas to consider are as follows:

• Many homeowners and designers use wall shelving as a method to decorate a home. There are many ornamental shelving designs constructed from wood and metal.


• Increased storage space is another sought-after benefit of shelving. For this purpose designers may opt for small, space-saving shelves made from plastic. Heavy-duty metal shelving is an excellent choice when large objects are to be stored on the shelf.


• Some shelves are designed to store specific household items. A common example of this sort of shelf is a bookcase. Other examples include those made to store clothing in closets and those that are meant for shoe storage.