Build Industrial Style with Kitchen Pipe Shelves
If your kitchen is lacking in storage space or you want to incorporate a modern, industrial look, installing pipe shelves is an excellent option. Pipe shelves provide a stylish way to display your most-used cookware and ingredients while freeing up valuable counter and cabinet space. Read on to learn all about the benefits of using pipe shelves in your kitchen and tips for maximizing their functionality.
Pipe shelves are shelves made from black or galvanized steel pipes and fittings, assembled to create an open shelving unit. Their sleek, metal design provides an urban, factory-inspired look perfect for modern and industrial style kitchens. Beyond aesthetics, though, pipe shelves offer practical storage solutions that can be customized to fit your needs.
Benefits of Pipe Shelves in Kitchens
There are several key advantages to using pipe shelves in your kitchen:
- They increase storage capacity without taking up counter or cabinet space.
- Their industrial style brings visual interest to your decor.
- You can customize them to fit your storage needs and style.
- They are durable and can hold a lot of weight.
- Pipe shelves are budget-friendly and easy to install yourself.
Increased Storage Without Sacrificing Space
One of the best things about pipe shelves is that they provide additional storage square footage without requiring you to expand your kitchen's footprint. Whether you have a galley kitchen, apartment kitchen, or another small cooking space, pipe shelves create storage along your walls or over your sink and stove area without taking up valuable counter or floor area.
Customizable and Stylish
Pipe shelves allow you to add storage precisely where you need it most. Design them to fit around pipes, vents, windows, and other architectural elements. You can purchase pipe fittings and brackets in various sizes and configurations to create shelving depths and heights that work for everything from cookbooks to stock pots. The industrial chic look of pipe shelves can completely transform the style of your kitchen.
Maximizing Functionality
To make the most of your new pipe shelves, keep these tips in mind:
Adjust Shelving to Items Being Stored
Take measurements of the cookware, serving platters, and other items you'll store on your shelves. Space shelves at heights and depths that will comfortably fit everything without wasting space. This may require some trial and error to find the right configuration.
Incorporate Organizational Accessories
Baskets, racks, hooks, and bins let you categorize cooking items. Mount them to pipes or place them on shelves. This keeps things tidy so your shelves don't turn into cluttered metal jungles.
Customize With Paints and Stains
Want to incorporate your kitchen's color scheme? Use spray paint to cover pipes and fittings. Or apply stains and wood finishes if you are using wooden planks for shelving surfaces. This allows the shelves to blend into your existing decor seamlessly.
Incorporating into Kitchen Layouts
Not sure where to install your new pipe shelves? Here are some of our favorite ideas:
Sleek Backsplash Design
Run shelves horizontally along your backsplash for an eye-catching accent. Use them to store oils, spices, utensils, and pretty cookware.
Part of Open Shelving Concept
Mix pipe shelves into a wall of open shelving, pairing them with floating shelves or glass-front cabinets. The mix of materials makes for an eclectic, trendy look.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Over time, dust and grime accumulate on any surface in a kitchen.
Half the fun of pipe shelves comes from designing and building them yourself. If you are up for a weekend project, grab materials from the hardware store and create custom shelves to fit your kitchen's needs.
Purchase Materials
You just need pipe fittings, black or galvanized steel pipes, and wooden planks or metal sheeting for shelving surfaces. Shop for everything at one big box store for convenience.
Adjust Plans to Your Space
Standard pipe shelf plans abound online. Tweak them by using longer pipes, different configurations, or more shelf tiers to optimize them for your kitchen.
Enlist Help
Having a second set of hands makes constructing and mounting new shelves much easier. Serve pizza and drinks to thank any friends who volunteer to assist.
Compare to Traditional Cabinets
Traditional cabinets offer some advantages over pipe shelves. However, pipe shelves have their own perks, too. Let's compare them:
- Cabinets provide contained storage, whereas shelves are open.
- Pipe shelves give a modern, industrial vibe to a kitchen.
- Well-built cabinets are more durable for the long haul.
- Shelf materials like pipes and boards are readily available and budget-friendly.
Your needs will dictate whether stylish pipe shelves or versatile cabinets are the best fit for your kitchen. Why not incorporate both for a mix of storage options?
Potential Challenges
While pipe shelves make excellent additions to kitchens, a few potential downsides do exist:
Installation Restrictions
If you rent, you may not be allowed to drill into walls to mount shelves. Freestanding shelf units are great alternatives in these cases.
Size and Weight Limitations
Though pipe construction is sturdy, don't overload shelves with piles of dense cast iron cookware. Place very heavy items on lower shelves or in traditional cabinets instead.
Check fittings occasionally to ensure they remain tight. Loose connections can cause shelves to become rickety or unstable over time.
You can install gorgeous pipe shelves in your kitchen with the right placement and periodic maintenance. They provide excellent storage coupled with standout style.