Glass shelves in a kitchen can transform the space artistically and creatively, but they’re also incredibly functional and practical.
There’s no question that glass shelves provide more benefits than their wooden or plastic counterparts. If you’re looking for a simple way to spruce up your home, these shelves add beauty while being extremely functional—plus, they’re fun to style!
If you would love to implement glass shelving in your kitchen but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help! Keep reading for our best tips for beautiful and practical open shelving.
Benefits of Glass Shelves Over Other Materials
Using glass shelves in a kitchen has many benefits over other shelving materials.
- Easy to clean- One of the main benefits of installing glass shelves in your home is that they are incredibly easy to clean. Other shelving materials, such as wood, can require complicated cleaning methods. Water and other liquid-based cleaners are not an issue with glass, while other materials can become damaged by moisture.
- Durability – If you have kids or pets, you understand the significance of durability when it comes to your shelving choice. Glass shelves are built to withstand slammed doors, stampeding children, and heavy decorative items. Many people are hesitant about using glass in the kitchen because of its fragile nature, but these shelves are made from thick tempered glass that can withstand the normal wear and tear of daily living.
- Versatility – One of the most significant benefits of glass shelving is its versatility. Tempered glass comes in many shapes and styles, so you can customize your shelving unit to fit your unique needs. In the kitchen, you can use these shelves for added storage and functionality or strictly for design purposes.
- Transparent – Another advantage of adding glass shelves to your home is that they are transparent. When you showcase something on these sleek shelves, you won’t have to worry about the shelf distracting or overshadowing your most sentimental pieces. Also, there will be no reason to lose any artificial or natural light in and around your shelves. This works to keep your kitchen and displays open and bright.
Glass Versatility in Glass Shelves
Since glass shelves are so versatile, they easily blend with any type of décor. Here are a few varieties to consider for your kitchen shelves:
- Classic clear shelves – If you’re looking for a timeless look, nothing beats the classic, clear glass style. Clear glass has low reflectivity, so it allows sunlight to pass through easily, lighting up your kitchen. You can use these shelves to showcase your dishes, glasses, bowls, etc.
- Curved glass – Curved glass is an excellent way to add some bold design styles to your kitchen. You can create your own artistic canvas with liquor bottles, teapots, or some of your most prized kitchenware. Creative freedom is one of the main advantages of these unique shelves.
- LED glass – When you infuse glass with light, the results are truly magnificent. If you want to make your glass shelves really pop, LED lights will do the trick! Glass is a very simplistic material, so lights can bring them to life.
- Frosted glass – For a minimalistic approach, consider frosted glass. Frosted shelves are sophisticated and modern. Frosted glass is one inexpensive way to update your kitchen and give it a minimalistic vibe. These shelves are best used to highlight certain items.
- Glass window shelves – Glass window shelves offer a unique twist to traditional shelving. Installing glass windows surrounding your shelves adds a bit of privacy to your prized possessions.
Use Glass Shelves For Easy-Access Storage
If storage is hard to come by in your kitchen, installing a set of glass shelves offers a practical solution. If you’re going this route, consider the following styling tips:
- Think about what you use daily – Glass shelves can be a suitable place to store everyday items such as plates, bowls, coffee mugs, and water glasses.
- Consider proximity – Where are your shelves located? If they’re near the dishwasher, use them to store everyday dishes. If they’re above the store, place frequently-used cooking tools and spices on them for easy access.
- Store less-used items on higher shelves – Everyday items should be easily reachable, but place less-used items on higher shelves. Keep in mind that heavy items should always be stored on lower levels.
Design Choices
The following styling tips will help you turn your glass shelves from an eye sore to a stunning focal point in your kitchen. Use colors, shapes, collections, patterns, and repetition to create visual interest.
- Choose uniformity over variety – Too many different design choices can be distracting. If you’re going for a clean and simple look, maintain balance and symmetry with your decorative options. Stick with a consistent color palette and uniformed plates, bowls, glasses, etc.
- Be clear, not cluttered – Too many items on a single shelf are a recipe for disaster. When styling your glass shelves, opt for a handful of intentional, purposeful items. Keep the overall look as minimal as possible.
- Create visual interest – To add visual interest to your shelves, keep like items together and stack them at varying heights. Add depth with a cutting board laid against the back wall or a candle in front of a stack of plates. You can also add visual interest with varying textures.
- Choose a color scheme – Pick a color scheme that will complement your kitchen. Stick to mostly neutral colors with the occasional pop of color. Two to three colors total will offer a cohesive but creative look.
Choose Murray Glass for Custom Glass Shelves
Glass shelves in a kitchen are an excellent design choice! If you’re ready to install some in your home, trust the professionals at Murray Glass. Regardless of your needs, glass repair, or a complete replacement, our team of experts will work with you to get the job done within your budget.Contact the best glass repair and replacement team in Northern Utah, Murray Glass, to schedule a consultation today! We service Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding areas, including Layton, Park City, Sandy, West Valley, Tooele, Draper, and more!
