Storage is one of those difficult things, because we want it, and we want it to be pretty. Yet shelving can get boring, bland, or bulky. Those are three deadly ‘b’ words! So how do we fix that? Get beautiful, useful and space-saving shelves by using the corners of your home. Seriously! It works!
Corner Shelves in the Kitchen
Let’s kick this off with a double whammy. This kitchen has corner shelving in the island and next to some upper cupboards, extending to a ledge in front of the window. Also impressive? The awesome mix of materials happening here! [Via Moroso Construction]
Thick and floating, these shelves are a great juxtaposition to the soft muted blue used in the backsplash. The real genius here is in the way the shelves carry up to the ceiling almost like wooden beams. It fools the eye, making you believe there is more height than is actually there. [Via Divine Kitchens]
Mint green, blue and grey. Never would I have put this combination together, but I’ll be darned if it’s not fresh and cool – no pun intended. The corner shelves being contained to the bottom two only allows for a beautiful light fixture to live in that perfect little corner. [Via Art Decor Home]
Have you ever had corner cabinets? How awkward was it to open the doors? My guess would be very! Kick those doors to the curb and opt for open corner shelving to show off your dishes and make better use of that corner space. [Via Cabinet Works Plus]
Old kitchens are sometimes not quite as efficient as some of the modern ones we’ve become so accustomed to. Open shelving is a great way to maintain character and modernize the space at the same time, and incorporating a corner is just about the most effective way to make the best use of space. [Via Nest Pretty Things]
Corner Shelving for Workspaces
You gotta love a little industrial charm in an office space, right? This corner shelf looks like a repurposed item, and the juxtaposition of cool and warm materials is perfection. Mixed metals, texture, and useful storage: the makings of a cool workspace. [Via David Howell]
Built-ins are among my favourite things on this earth, like ice cream and Oreos. These grey-blue shelves make fantastic use of space and act as a lovely backdrop for white accessories in this chic and luxurious office. [Via Vincente Burin Architects]
Rustic Corner Shelving
Aged and thick-sliced wood shelving in grey tones is quite lovely in this black and white kitchen. The location of the corner shelving also makes for a very handy storage system, ensuring that frequently used items are easily accessible. [Via Burns & Beyerl Architects]
Give me white subway tiles and floating shelves in a kitchen, and I am a happy girl! I doubt I’m alone in this. This slightly rustic look is made even more beautiful by the use of asymmetrical design through the extension of only one shelf from the wall. [Via Jessica Helgerson Interior Design]
Somehow this insanely small kitchen looks like it offers a lot of storage space, and that is hugely because of the corner shelves, which also make the space look open enough to appear larger than it is. [Via The Tiny Project]
Corner Shelving in Bathrooms
Built into the wall, this shelf adds a beautiful touch to a corner with a freestanding tub. The shelf is useful in that it’s close enough to the tub for items to be within reach, but it does not take away from the centerpiece of the room. [Via Mahoney Architects]
The way the sunlight hits the shelf below is kind of amazing, isn’t it? In this bathroom, the shelves are not just for storage, but also for architectural and visual balance. The dark tones are all well positioned, and the room feels light and airy, even with all of the browns and blacks. [Via Wolstenholme Associates]
This bathroom looks like it belongs in a high-end spa with all of the natural stone and greenery. The tree stump is a lovely touch of warmth, and the corner shelves flank the window perfectly, adding enough interest to the room without overwhelming it. [Via Beauparlant Design]
Corner Shelves on the Outer Corner
It’s easy to think of corner shelves as the traditional inside corner storage, but they can, indeed, go around the outside of a corner. In fact, they can wrap around to create amazing spaces like this one, which brings a hallway and a living area together and also provides a side table for a sofa. [Via Tim Clarke Design]
Sometimes we get these awkward corners in our homes and can’t figure out what to do with them. This is a problem turned genius solution by having the corner shelves wrap around the outside, making for some deep and beautiful shelving! [Via Schappacher White]
This is another somewhat awkward corner that has been transformed into a useful and beautiful space. The fact that a desk has even been built out of it is kind of amazing, too! [Via David Churchill]
Loving this island and how handy open shelving around it would be for this kitchen’s chef! The kitchen itself is ultra modern, but the open shelving makes it less boxy and more accessible – not to mention useful! [Via Elad Gonen]
I have to tell you, looking at all of these corner shelves gives me hope that I, too, can make useful beautiful in my own home. Not to mention, it has me thinking outside of the box as well. Modern, rustic and traditional corner storage can be yours, too, my friends!
