Jasmine Cunningham
Reminiscent of New York apartments, these dramatic shelves don’t just save you heaps of space – they act as a centrepiece for your room’s décor. Ditching the traditional brackets, these shelves usually feature rope or chain hangings, which can either be fixed to the wall or hung from the ceiling to create a standout suspended look.
As well as being immensely handy for storage, hanging shelves are an effortless way to add a touch of industrial glamour to your décor. Add some exposed brick, a hanging plant and a few nice-looking wine glasses, and voilà – pure Nordic style. If you’re short on storage space but don’t want to compromise on style, ceiling hanging shelves and bar gantries are a great way to go. Designed to be suspended from the ceiling, these striking shelves take centre stage, creating a contemporary look that’ll transform whatever room they’re in.
If you don’t have the floor space to navigate a fully suspended shelf, wall hanging shelves are a great alternative. For rooms with a stripped-back, industrial sort of style, you can’t do better than chain hanging shelves – especially if you’ve already got some metal accents in your space.
Equipped with long hanging chains, these suspended shelves conjure thoughts of converted warehouse apartments and Scandi-style interiors. With sturdy rope hangings to support the weight of all your cookbooks, plates and plants, these shelves are the epitome of 'Boho' style. Whether you’re fitting out a new bar or shopping for your own kitchen, these nifty shelves are a bold, beautiful way to showcase your best glassware. Pots and pans are some of the largest, most cumbersome things to store in your kitchen – especially if you’re trying to squash them all into a single cupboard or drawer.
Not only do they give you an easy, tidy way to store your pots and pans, but they’re also an incredibly sleek addition to your kitchen décor. Bold, functional and effortlessly beautiful, ceiling mounted shelves capture the true essence of Nordic interior design. Going beyond traditional storage units, these shelves aren’t just space savers – they’re a standout feature of your room’s décor. They’re also less bulky than traditional shelving, giving you a sleek, stylish way to display your books, plants, tools, lighting, ornaments, and anything else you can think of. With the freedom to be suspended from the ceiling, hanging shelves take full advantage of any unused space – leaving the walls free for tall furniture, cabinets, plant holders, and all your favourite prints. Suspended shelves and bar gantries are also incredibly easy to access – so no more standing on chairs to hunt for those things you shoved to the very back.
Experiment by placing useful items, like books and kitchenware, alongside things like trailing plants, ornaments and artwork. If you’re mounting a fully suspended shelf (i.e. one that’s not fixed to the wall), it’s important to remember that these types of shelves shouldn’t be fitted into plasterboard.
To protect your walls and ceiling from damage, hanging shelves should only be fitted into stone, brickwork, wooden beams, metalwork or girders. If you’re planning to store a lot of heavy items, it’s safest to use wall anchors to mount your shelves. For kitchen shelving, you should be looking at a shelf that’s between 30cm and 40cm deep – leaving plenty of room for all your plates, bowls and utensils. Style with trailing plants, cookbooks and your fanciest kitchenware for a feature that’ll catch everyone’s eye.
Fit a mini hanging shelf in the hallway for a handy place to store your wallet, keys, mail, and anything else you might need as you’re rushing out the door. Whether you’ve got a workstation in there or you just need some extra storage, hanging shelves are an attractive way to store all your tools or DIY equipment.
Fix a miniature hanging shelf to your wall or ceiling and style with some flowers, candles, and all those books you keep meaning to read. As well as giving you plenty of extra storage space, hanging shelves are an effortless way to add a sense of character to your décor.
