Rustic Kitchen Shelves: Your Ultimate Style & Buying Guide

Despite the vast difference in home decor styles, rustic kitchen shelves can suit almost all due to their ability to compliment traditional farmhouse kitchens or add a contrast to more modern kitchen styles using natural timber.

Rustic kitchen shelves are an ever-popular choice among our customers, due to their undeniable appeal and unique character. Their uncomplicated, organic appearance sets a warm, inviting tone, perfect for any kitchen setting. Be it your love for farmhouse-inspired interiors or the desire to add a distinct touch to your space, rustic kitchen shelves won't disappoint.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the various types of rustic wooden shelves, the best materials, and also a guide to installing them on your own.

Exploring Various Types of Rustic Kitchen Shelves

Floating Shelves

Modern rustic kitchens frequently feature floating shelves. Crafted from reclaimed wood or solid timber, these shelves are not only simple to install and maintain, but also exude a contemporary feel. Their streamlined design complements the rustic style, enhancing any kitchen's aesthetic.

Bracket Shelves

If you prefer a more traditional rustic appearance, bracket shelves are worth considering. These shelves include decorative brackets for added support and can be tailored with different materials and finishes to suit your kitchen's style.

Corner Shelves

For those with limited space, corner shelves provide a clever solution. They can be wall-mounted or freestanding and create an intriguing focal point in your cooking area. These shelves add rustic character while making the most of your available space.

Best Materials for Rustic Kitchen Shelves

Reclaimed Wood

Opting for reclaimed wood presents an eco-friendly choice for your rustic kitchen shelves. Each piece bears its own unique history, making it an ideal candidate for an authentic rustic vibe. Moreover, you're repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste.

Solid Timber

Solid timber stands as a tried-and-true option, combining durability with style. Offering the flexibility to be oiled or painted, you can tailor solid timber shelves to your kitchen's colour scheme while choosing from various hardwoods like oak, pine, and walnut in our timber range. For a lasting, ageless appearance, solid timber never fails to impress.

Metal and Wood Combination

For those seeking a modern edge to their rustic style, a fusion of metal and wood offers an intriguing alternative. This design choice not only lends strength and support but also brings an industrial-chic flair to your kitchen shelves.

DIY Guide for Installing Rustic Kitchen Shelves

Get Everything All Together

If you're like me there's nothing worse than trying to get something done, only to realise I don't have all the tools and materials I need before I start. We supply the necessary fixings with most of our shelves, though if you buy standalone shelves and are using your own brackets you'll need to ensure you have wall plugs, screws, a drill, level, pencil and tape measure to get your shelving up correctly first time.

Find the Best Place for Your Shelf

Determine the most suitable location for your wooden shelves, keeping in mind factors like visibility, accessibility, and the wall's weight-bearing capabilities. Aim for a location that's both practical and visually appealing. If you plan on using a shelving arrangement on different levels, ensure you have worked out exactly how the final display will look before fitting the first shelf, ensuring the balance is right and will be suitable for the items you're placing on them.

Prepare the Area

After selecting your desired spot, mark the positions for your brackets or floating shelf supports. Double-check that your marks are level and accurately spaced. If necessary, use a stud finder to locate wall studs for added support and stability, though for floating shelves we highly recommend fitting to solid wallets bear the weight and offer the correct support for the brackets.

Install Your Shelves

With the area prepared, fit the brackets or floating shelf supports to the wall, ensuring they're securely fastened. For bracket shelves, place the shelf on top and secure it to the brackets using screws. For floating shelves, slide the shelf onto the supports, making sure it's safe and secure.

Add Finishing Touches

Now that your rustic kitchen shelves are installed, it's time to personalise your new storage space. Great ways to use your shelves include displaying cookbooks, plants, or your favourite kitchenware to make them both functional and visually appealing.

Rustic Kitchen Shelf Ideas

To inspire you further, here are a few rustic kitchen shelf ideas, though the possibilities are literally endless:

• Combine floating shelves of varying lengths for an eye-catching design
• Mix and match materials, such as metal brackets with wooden shelves, for an industrial touch
• Add a small chalkboard to one of the shelves to jot down grocery lists or inspiring quotes
• Use woven baskets or vintage containers for a neat, organised look
• Incorporate decorative elements, like antique kitchen tools or family heirlooms, for a personal touch

The Beauty of Rustic Kitchen Shelves

Rustic kitchen shelves offer more than just a fashionable design choice; they serve as a functional and stylish addition to any kitchen. They provide valuable storage space while adding warmth and character into your cooking area. By selecting the right type of shelf, material, and installation method, you can curate a beautiful, personalised space that's both welcoming and efficient.

We create a wide range of rustic wooden shelves that are perfect for any kitchen style. Our range includes variations from short to long and narrow to wide, all available in our unique rustic styling that look fantastic when combined with our selection of high-quality wax oil finishes.