North Vancouver is the ideal place for enjoying some of the city’s best attractions. If you have a home here, consider adding open shelving in your kitchen. It’s a wonderful idea, but where will they best fit in? Fortunately, anyone who has a custom kitchen has plenty of space to include floating shelves. Here are some ideas on how to enjoy this modern design element.
Around Windows
With natural light at a premium in many spaces, it’s essential to make the best use of window space in a kitchen. Bulky cabinets can block precious light from illuminating kitchen areas. Floating shelves around kitchen windows let light pour in at all angles. This means you can add shelves tight around the window. For maximum effect, use under-cabinet lighting on the shelves and a pull-down shade on the window instead of a curtain.
Above the Sink
If you are lucky enough to not have a window above the sink, add some open shelves. This provides great space for that small herb garden or a few favorite pieces of pottery. Other ideas for using this space include filling mason jars with your favorite soaps and hand cream. Then, add a pump dispenser and place them on the shelves for a modern farmhouse kitchen feel.
Fill in a Corner
If you have some wall space that’s less than a foot wide, fill it with open shelving to anchor the edge. If you use a contrasting material, this will also fashion an appealing accent. If your home has a weird corner or architectural element that changes the direction of the wall, an open shelf might work well in that space too.
Simply have the shelf cut to the shape to fill in the space. These complex corners often occur in older homes. Spending the time on this add-on can really make a kitchen come together.
The Range Hood
The range hood in kitchens often looks like something people want to forget. One way to create visual interest is by installing a beautiful hood with shelves on either side. This method leaves the range hood visible from numerous viewpoints. You can use the shelves for the storage of cooking items, such as tools and spices.
Above an Island
For anyone who enjoys prepping food on a kitchen island, a set of hanging shelves above the kitchen island would come in handy. If they’re affixed just above eye level, they remain accessible without obstructing views. Shelves above an island also make an ideal place for glassware or dishes, especially if you are prone to entertaining.
Other places where floating shelves would work in a kitchen include at the end of a peninsula, beneath a slanted ceiling or even across a window. Depending on the space, you can easily put them in yourself at any time. If Alair Homes North Vancouver is assisting with your home renovation, ask us to put shelves in while designing or renovating the space. For more great custom kitchen design ideas, check out our gallery of past featured renovations.