The Corner Shelf And Mantel Shelf: Space Saving Solutions

Finding the correct type of shelves for your home can take a bit of effort. There are many different types of shelving systems, whatever your specific requirements may be. We are all familiar with the standard wall shelf which comes in many different materials and sizes and suits almost every kind of living space. Here are some different kinds of shelves that you may not have thought of.

1. Space-saving shelving solutions

If you are short on space, shelves can be a great way to really utilize the walls of your room for storage and decorative purposes alike. Shelving systems in your garage are a good way to get rid of clutter that has been building up inside your home. Provided you pack breakable items and important paperwork carefully, absolutely anything can be stored in your garage. Wood or metal are common materials for garage shelves; metal or wire shelves are probably the more practical choice as they are far more resistant to moisture and humidity than wood is, so bear in mind the conditions in your garage. Because these shelves are purely functional, they are cheap and available from any number of retailers, in any size you require, with wall mounted versions if you need to keep the floor space clear.

A corner shelf is a great way to maximize space in your room. These look great simply with an ornament, photo frame or vase of flowers placed on them. There are many variations on the basic single corner shelf, such as a three or four shelf open corner cabinet, or even a corner desk with attached shelves for a unique home office space.

Glass shelves are attractive, modern and easy to clean. They are particularly popular for bathrooms and shower rooms. A glass bathroom shelf looks great above your sink or over your bath and is a good way to store products that you use on a daily basis, e.g. shampoo and bubble bath, or to show off collections of perfume bottles as more of a design feature. If you have a small bathroom with no room for a floor-standing cabinet or trolley, shelves provide as much storage for your essentials as you require.

Make sure that your shelves, whether glass or any other material, are correctly fixed to the wall to ensure your family's safety. Most shelves come with the required fittings and detailed instructions. If you don't consider yourself a DIY expert, find someone who is!

Your fireplace store may recommend that you buy a glass mantel shelf to deflect the heat from your fireplace, particularly if you have a mirror or plasma television screen on the wall directly above the fireplace as many people do. If you have any worries about this, or cannot find the answers to your queries elsewhere, you can contact you local Fire Department Inspector or your local Building Inspection Department for expert guidance. Generally, though, fire rated glass should be adequate and there are companies which specialize in this.