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An overflowing pantry or sagging kitchen cabinets could be due to poor organization, but more often than not, it’s due to limited storage space. If your kitchen’s usable area leaves something to be desired, we’re here to help. Additional kitchen shelves can act as quick, convenient, and easy-to-install DIY cabinetry.
Our team researched different options for the best kitchen shelves on the market today. Discover our top recommendations and get answers to your questions here.
Top 5 Kitchen Shelves
- Best Kitchen Shelves Overall: VASAGLE Kitchen Shelf
- Best Multipurpose Shelving: Amazon Basics Shelving Unit
- Best Floating Shelves: AMADA Floating Shelves
- Best Corner Shelf: Ollieroo Three-Tier Corner Shelf
- Best Budget Shelving: Furinno Multipurpose Shelf
Compare Top Kitchen Shelves
| Product | Number of Tiers | Weight Capacity | Material | Weight | Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VASAGLE Kitchen Shelf | 6 | 11-55 pounds | Engineered wood and alloy steel | 34.6 pounds | 15.8 x 35.4 x 52 inches | ||
| Amazon Basics Shelving Unit | 5 | 350 pounds per shelf | Alloy steel | 30 pounds | 72 x 14 x 36 inches | ||
| AMADA HOMEFURNISHING Floating Shelves | 3 | 40 pounds per shelf | Paulownia wood and metal | 3.5 pounds | 5.9 x 16.5 x 0.7 inches | ||
| Ollieroo Three-Tier Corner Shelf | 3 | Not listed | Bamboo and metal | 4.2 pounds | 24.8 x 7 x 26.7 inches | ||
| Furinno Multipurpose Shelf | 4 | 25 pounds per shelf | Engineered wood | 14.5 pounds | 11.6 x 23.6 x 43.3 inches | ||
| Product | Number of Tiers | Weight Capacity | Material | Weight | Dimensions |
Best Kitchen Shelves Overall
VASAGLE Kitchen Shelf
- $89.99
- $99.99
- 10% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Several storage options for homeowners with a small kitchen
✔ Functions as attractive kitchen decor and a coffee bar
✔ Can be set up in as little as 30 minutes
✘ Shelving tiers are unevenly spaced
✘ Better for storing specific items and not ideal for general kitchen storage
What Customers Are Saying
Overall, customers who reviewed this kitchen shelf gave it a four or five-star rating. Positive highlights included the shelf’s attractive looks, sturdiness, and versatility when storing various kitchen-related items. Negatively, some users didn’t receive all of the necessary hardware for assembly.
Best Multipurpose Shelving
Amazon Basics Shelving Unit
- $66.52
- $71.99
- 8% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Sturdy and robust enough to hold heavy cookware
✔ The wire shelves are adjustable in one-inch increments
✔ No tools are required for installation
✘ Takes up a lot of space
✘ Less attractive than other style shelves
What Customers Are Saying
Fast and easy installation, durability, and high weight capacity were highlights in several four and five-star reviews from users. The generous surface area of each shelving tier was also noted in positive reviews. However, other users thought that the assembly instructions were confusing and incomplete and said that the shelving unit looked too utilitarian.
Best Floating Shelves
AMADA Floating Shelves
- $19.99
- $29.99
- 33% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ The three shelves come in different sizes for customization
✔ Each shelf holds up to 40 pounds
✔ Comes in a stylish brushed grey finish
✘ The surface area of each shelf is small compared to other shelving options
✘ Requires wall mounting
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that these floating shelves looked very attractive on their walls. Other users said that the floating shelves were easy to install and held an impressive amount of weight, given the small size of each shelf. On the other hand, some users said that the included screws weren’t sturdy enough, and one user said that the Paulownia wood material splintered fairly easily.
Best Corner Shelf
Ollieroo Three-Tier Corner Shelf
- $23.99
- $25.99
- 8% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Offered in multiple finishes
✔ Reinforced using two steel legs
✔ Elevated shelves provide storage space underneath between the counter and shelves
✘ Limited surface area
✘ Lightweight and can be flimsy
What Customers Are Saying
Customers with prominent corners in their kitchen countertops thought that this simple and affordable corner shelf was a great way to multiply the amount of usable space. They also appreciated that the shelves could swing out and rotate 180 degrees. Critically, users complained about the assembly process, citing missing hardware and other components in their reviews.
Best Budget Shelving
Furinno Multipurpose Shelf
- $29.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Stylish, contemporary design
✔ Entry-level price
✔ Easy to move from one location to another
✘ Limited weight capacity
✘ Some reviewers said the shelf wobbled
What Customers Are Saying
Reviews who gave this shelf four and five-star ratings said that it was easy to assemble in a matter of minutes and looked good in their kitchen, living room, dining area, and other areas in their home. Conversely, users who left less than a four-star review said that the wood felt flimsy and that the legs of the shelving unit were subject to wobbling.
Kitchen Shelves Buying Guide
Regardless of your kitchen design, there’s a fitting solution out there to help store pots and pans, cookbooks, glassware, cutting boards, spices, and more. As kitchen shelves are available in a wide range of options, we’ve identified some of the most important buying factors. Learn more below to find the right style of shelves for your home.
Shelving Types
Kitchen shelves are available in multiple types, including standing shelves, floating shelves, and corner shelves.
Standing Shelves
Standing shelves are typically easy to reach and access and offer superior weight capacity compared to floating shelves and corner shelves. However, depending on the size of the standing shelf, the top shelf may be difficult to reach without a step ladder.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves, also known as wall shelves, are small shelves that mount directly onto your walls. They typically have a modest weight capacity due to their size and elevated nature. Floating shelves are great for homeowners who want to maximize their wall space and don’t have enough floor space for a standing shelf.
Corner Shelves
As the name suggests, corner shelves fit neatly into the corner of your kitchen countertops or directly up against your kitchen wall. They have multiple elevated shelves to free up usable countertop space beneath them. You may also use a small corner shelf unit in an area without corners, such as a kitchen island.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity refers to how much weight each tier, or the entire shelving unit, can hold. This ranges from as little as 15 or 20 pounds to as much as 350 pounds (per tier) or more.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity refers to the total surface area of the kitchen shelf. Look for the listed dimensions of the shelf, as well as how much usable space is advertised by the manufacturer. Floating shelves have relatively little storage capacity, while standing shelves can store more items.
Material
Most kitchen shelves are made of wood, metal, or a combination of these materials. Metal is more durable, but an all-metal shelf isn’t the most stylish piece of home decor. Fortunately, there are options made of multiple types of materials that blend functionality and good looks.
Kitchen Storage and Organization Tips
Utilizing a small space can be quite challenging. With the help of wall-mounted or standalone kitchen shelves, you’ve taken a major step toward solving your kitchen organization woes. Below, we’ve outlined some additional storage solutions for your kitchen.
- Every few months, do a deep clean of your kitchen and go through any seldom-used items or gadgets that you don’t need anymore. Unused clutter takes up space. You can make better use of your kitchen area by donating or selling these items.
- If you have a magnetic fridge, a metal island, or another metal surface that’s magnetic, consider using magnetic storage hooks to hold frequently used items. A metal kitchen shelf with a magnetic surface may also hold items on the sides of the shelf, freeing up usable space on the surface of the shelving.
- Use dividers and bins to further organize your pantry, refrigerator, or underneath the sink. These organizers are helpful in areas where items tend to get thrown together or even lost, piled on top of other supplies or food items.
- Invest in a label maker if you don’t have one. Labeling items in your fridge, freezer, pantry, or even underneath the kitchen sink helps save you time and eliminates the guesswork of wondering what a particular item is.
- Have a dedicated space where you store your plastic grocery bags. Loose bags can get messy quickly, so it’s good to have a larger reusable bag or another container to stuff your plastic bags into.
Even if you don’t have many drawers, using dividers to better organize them can multiply storage space in your kitchen. In this video, This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert walks through making your own dividers for the drawers in your kitchen:
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Shelves
What is the best material for kitchen shelves?
The best material for your kitchen shelves depends on your priorities. While metal or steel may be the most durable shelf material, it may not look as stylish or trendy compared to a wooden shelf. Some shelves use a combination of metal and engineered wood to blend good looks and durability in an affordable package.
Are floating shelves in the kitchen practical?
Yes, floating shelves in the kitchen area are fairly practical for most homeowners. However, note that it may be easier to knock an item off a floating shelf, which could break easily due to the long fall from the shelf to your floor. Floating shelves should be in-reach but not placed in a spot where they could be easily bumped into.
Do I need a backsplash for open shelves?
While a backsplash may be recommended, you don’t need one for open kitchen shelving. A backsplash ties the area together, offering a more cohesive look to your open shelving. Placing open shelving above your stovetop or in another area of your kitchen without an accompanying backsplash could look out of place.
What is the best way to clean a kitchen shelf?
To clean a kitchen shelf, remove all items on each tier and place them on another surface. You can then dust the shelving using a microfiber cloth or another duster. We also recommend wiping the shelving with an all-purpose surface cleaner and paper towel every month or two or immediately after any spills.
How We Selected the Best Kitchen Shelving
To provide our readers with the best kitchen shelf recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of kitchen shelves with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older versions with the latest and eliminating any discontinued or out-of-stock models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
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Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement space, from ceiling fans and floor coating to doorbell cameras and garage door openers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
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