A well-designed work area is the main task of parents. If previously it was customary to do homework in the kitchen, now having a “corner office” in the house is in the order of things. To ensure that all school supplies and other necessary things can be accommodated, shelves and cabinets are installed above the table. Using design techniques, you can make the room stylish and spacious.
A spacious desk with a functional shelf for things creates a comfortable workspace for a student
What is it and how does it work?
Decorative shelves for books and other items are perfectly placed in a niche above the table.
A shelf is a type of furniture without a front wall; a back wall may also be missing. This is a storage room for a child’s personal belongings, which include school supplies, cosmetics, a children’s library, and decorative items. They need to be installed near the desk so that everything is at hand. Hang at the height of the child to make it convenient to take objects.
Open shelves for books and toys in a children's room do not clutter up the space and are an excellent decorative element
Designers advise using open furniture. This will save space and improve visibility of things. Place a piece of furniture along the wall near the window. Windows will add natural light to the work area. The shelves are hung on fasteners, angles, or installed on the floor.
Mounting options for glass and other shelves
Wall shelf brackets
Why are shelves needed?
The issue of the need for compact shelves in a student’s room remains relevant. Sometimes parents, when planning their children's rooms, consider shelves to be a relic of the past that takes up too much space. Ideas and models:
If you don't think about the problem, it may seem that they are right. Nowadays, instead of printed materials, people prefer to use electronic means to read books.
Therefore, there is no need to clutter the interior of the room with bookshelves and shelving.
It’s hard to argue with this when talking about the room of an adult schoolchild, and not a first-grader. In the case of a child, we can say unequivocally that any bookshelves in a nursery, including corner ones, are a necessity. The decision to buy or make a bookcase or desk for a schoolchild with shelves is more than worthwhile.
Tips for choosing furniture
- If the room is small, then a corner shelf will do. You can place flower pots and decorative items on it. It can be hung on the wall or installed on the floor. The downside to such furniture is its small capacity.
- If your child loves to read, then a bookcase will do. For books, it is better to take ones with side walls. The material of the rack is iron. A big plus is its versatility - you can put books, flower pots, souvenirs.
- It is better to hang a console above the table. Photographs, pictures, cosmetics, etc. are placed on it. The console can be: single-tier, multi-level, corner, combined with a table, are suitable for office desks and computer tables. It is recommended to install a computer desk separately from a desk. They also differ in shape and design: there are rectangular, oval, narrow and wide.
- Diagonal ones are suitable for storing children's books.
To choose a shelf you need to take measurements of the room and desk. It is necessary to take into account the structure of the wall, the spaciousness of the room, and the height.
Manufacturing materials
Modern manufacturers use a variety of materials to make shelves. It can be chipboard, MDF, acrylic. However, traditional types of raw materials have not lost their relevance:
- Tree. Perhaps the most popular material. Solid wood shelves look great in any interior; they are especially often used in Scandinavian style or in loft-style rooms. In addition, wood has high environmental characteristics, which cannot be said about artificial materials made using glue. There are also some downsides - the cost of the shelves is quite high, since high-quality raw materials are always prestigious, environmentally friendly and expensive.
- Glass. Designs made from this material allow you to create a variety of design solutions based on a combination of the properties of a transparent surface and lighting. Glass is not affected by most aggressive environments, including moisture, is easy to clean and has increased wear resistance. The disadvantage of glass shelves is that they are fragile and traumatic.
- Metal. Steel products are simple and easy to use. Such shelves often have fastenings for installation on metal guides, which allows you to change the configuration of the product if necessary. The disadvantage is their low aesthetic properties, which is more than compensated by their functionality.
- Plastic. Modern manufacturing technologies for building materials make it possible to use plastic panels to make shelves with an almost unlimited choice of textures and colors. Plastic or vinyl products are environmentally friendly, often used in interiors in high-tech and modern styles, where there are non-standard shapes and curved lines. They have few disadvantages, one of them is that under heavy load the product can change shape or bend.
- Chipboard. Perhaps this material can be classified as the most budget-friendly. Chipboard shelves do their job well, but they are very fragile, especially at the fastening points, and have poor environmental performance due to the use of glue in the manufacture of the material.
- MDF. This raw material is most widely used for the manufacture of not only shelves, but also other furniture in Russia and Europe. Compared to chipboard, the material is stronger and more environmentally friendly. When applied, the coating can imitate many textures and have different colors. At the same time, MDF is a budget material and is relatively cheap.
The main characteristic of the material is environmental friendliness, which is especially important in families with children. Therefore, when choosing shelves based on price-quality ratio, emphasis should be placed in favor of the second indicator.
Tree
Glass
Metal
Plastic
MDF
Chipboard
How to do it yourself
Simple DIY Corner Bookshelves
Today there are no problems in choosing furniture for a desk; store consultants will help you choose the right furniture. For those who decide to make their own storage shelves, the following tips will help.
Choice of material: glass, wood, plastic, metal products.
For beginners, a horizontal console mounted on metal corners or legs is suitable. Lightweight U-shaped option with storage compartments.
An invisible shelf for books is suitable for DIY room decor
What do you need for work?
- Material
- Saw, hacksaw, grinder, glass cutter (depending on the material).
- Nails, screws, squares.
- Paint or varnish.
- Squares for measuring angles, ruler and pencil.
Tools for creating a DIY shelf
Work progress: Any construction begins with a drawing and taking measurements.
Scheme of a simple wall shelf with the required dimensions
All you need to do is apply the finished measurements to the material and cut it out.
Cutting boards for a homemade shelf
Sanding a board for a DIY shelf
Next, the parts are treated with paint or varnish. Suspended with nails, screws, squares or legs.
The process of assembling a homemade wooden shelf
It is also possible to embed the product into a wall. The method of fastening depends on the material of the product.
Assembled shelf after treatment with stain and varnish
A shelf is a place to store a child’s things and part of the interior. Various design solutions make it possible not only to make the piece of furniture comfortable and spacious, but also interesting.
Types of shelves
There are four main principles by which shelf models are classified.
By location
It just so happens that it is the location that determines the design and type of model.
The shelf model is chosen depending on its placement.
So, depending on the functional purpose of the room, the shelves are placed as follows:
- Above the desk. Usually we are talking about shelves above a desk in a student’s room. In this case, stationery and other items are placed on the shelf, which can be easily reached without being distracted from the creative or educational process. And despite the maximum functionality of such placement, souvenirs, figurines or vases can also “settle” on the surface. As for decorative details, it all depends on the preferences of the owner.
- Directly above the desktop. This placement is even more practical compared to the previous one. This is more suitable for a full-time workplace.
- Above the computer desk. Of course, today there is no need to place a huge number of laser discs, but there is still a need for reliable storage of storage media, adapters, books and much more. All these little things that are vital in the age of technology “feel” best on the shelves above the computer desk.
- Above the dining table. This method of placement is primarily relevant for the Provence style. Bottles of oil, jars of spices, as well as small vases with bouquets of wild flowers sit comfortably on the shelves. The atmosphere of home comfort and warmth is guaranteed.
Placement above the table is also possible in other rooms:
- Children's room. Perhaps this is where hanging shelves are as necessary as air. A huge number of toys, educational games, books and much more require arrangement in a strict order and, as they say, at arm's length.
- Kitchen space. Shelves in the kitchen serve not only to display cute decorative items, but also to store kitchen utensils. This is especially true when the kitchen is also used as a dining room.
- Living room. In this space, the obligatory “guests” are audio and video equipment, souvenirs, antiques, as well as photo frames and books. Correctly selected wall shelves and proper arrangement of “guests” will eloquently tell about the taste of the owner and his preferences.
- Bedroom. Typically, in this room, shelves are used for arranging vases, photo frames and souvenirs. And also for placing devices and objects in such a way that they can be easily reached. Therefore, shelves are mounted either at the head of the bed or above the dressing table.
An interesting nuance: both in the living room and in the office, empty wall space can be filled with shelves. By choosing the right design, you will not only increase the functionality of the room, but also decorate it in an unusual way.
Shelves are used both in the office and in the living room.
Types of construction
The design of the shelves largely depends on the shape, since not all design options “get along” with the design features of the models.
Based on their design, shelves are divided into several types.
Consoles
These shelves are distinguished by a minimalist design, and at the same time maximum ease of use and functionality. Often the structural elements are made of metal and allow the model to be modified.
Console shelves are usually designed in a minimalist style.
Multi-tiered
With their help, it is possible to make the most efficient use of space. This is the best storage system, especially if the shelf performs not a decorative, but a very specific practical function.
A multi-tier structure can accommodate many useful things.
With side walls
This model can be safely called a “distant relative” of the niche. An ideal option for storing books that do not fall off the shelf thanks to the sides. By the way, at your discretion, the sidewall can be on one side, or maybe on both.
A shelf with side walls is very convenient for storing books.
With back wall
This “modification” option does not in any way affect the functionality of the shelf, but it significantly changes the appearance of the wall to which such a shelf is attached.
Shelves with a back wall have an additional panel on the reverse side.
Universal shelves
This is a great option, as they say, for all times. The design is very durable, has the correct geometric shape, and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Universal shelves are simple and reliable.
By installation method
The main purpose of any shelf is to accommodate small and medium-sized items.
The shelves can accommodate things of different sizes.
And in order for them to fit harmoniously into the interior, they can be installed in different ways:
Wall structures
As the name suggests, they are attached to the wall. The most common way to place all kinds of shelf models. In this case, the wall area is used as rationally as possible. Such designs have a lot of advantages, but the only “disadvantages”, perhaps, can be attributed to the fact that they look ordinary, “without a twist.”
Wall shelves are attached directly to the wall.
Hanging
These models, unlike the previous ones, are not found so often in classic interiors. But for loft or hi-tech style, this method of attaching shelves is almost a prerequisite. The shelves are mounted to the ceiling or wall using special hanging fixtures. The only caveat: this mounting method is not suitable for all rooms. Otherwise, hanging shelves are a real advantage.
Hanging shelves can often be found in loft or hi-tech style.
Corner
Thanks to such shelves, it is possible to make the most efficient use of the internal corner space in the room. After all, often the corner remains free and it often looks somehow unfinished. If you place a backlit plasterboard model in the corner, you will even be able to visually expand the room.
Corner shelves can visually expand the space.
Corner structures have a lot of advantages, and among the disadvantages, we note only some difficulty in manufacturing, because it is unlikely that you will find a ready-made model that would fully meet the parameters you need.
Corner designs allow rational use of space in the room.
Table with extension
The main advantage of this model is that it is easy to move from place to place, since it is a single whole. And if you decide to move the table, you won't have to re-mount the shelves to the wall. Well, the disadvantages include the inability to change the configuration, or adjust the height and width of the shelves in relation to the table.
The table with a superstructure of shelves is a single structure.
There are also combined models. For example, recently you can increasingly find hanging-wall structures, thanks to which an unusual interior design is created.
Combined models combine hanging and wall structures.
By the way, there are also exclusively decorative shelves that serve as decoration in themselves, without requiring filling of their own surfaces. Such models are made from different materials (wood, glass, metal) and, as a rule, have an interesting shape.
Decorative shelves have an interesting design and are a decoration in themselves.
Regardless of the interior of the room or functional purpose, shelves are necessary. With their help, you will effectively complement the design, make the storage system more functional, and also be able to effectively demonstrate numerous souvenirs, cups of sports achievements or a rich library.
The second option is invisible fastenings
A book shelf can be mounted on the wall so that the fixing elements are completely invisible. In this case, the boards are installed on long screws (there should be 4 of them - 2 on each side). They are screwed in using wooden plugs (rods). The part of the screw that protrudes from the wall will support the shelf. To decorate the protruding element, you can use a plastic tube of the required diameter. It can be transparent or painted in any suitable color. It is recommended to use screws with a semicircular head. In the areas where these support elements will be screwed in, holes of the appropriate diameter should be drilled. Instead of metal screws, you can use pins made of hard wood. Being also supporting elements, they must fit into the recesses that are made on the underside of each shelf. Difficulties may arise with installing the pins strictly horizontally. To control the position (verticality/horizontalness), you must use a level. There are also supports in the shape of a violin, with a coupling or screw thread. It is quite easy to install shelves on them - both made of wood and glass. Such designs are quite durable and attractive in appearance. The holes for the supporting parts must be drilled accurately so that they are positioned strictly parallel.
Model range of computer desks with shelving
Furniture is designed in several configurations. The Divano.ru catalog contains models:
- for rooms of any size. In a small room, corner structures and options with shelves at the bottom for installation in front of the window (Dialogue, Megapolis) are appropriate. In the spacious room there are full-fledged workstations “Divano.ru”, “Lux” with shelving up to two meters high;
- in a wide range of colors. There are more than ten shades for each model;
To select a finish before purchasing a table with shelving, use the “Create Your Design” option. The filter on the left side of the page will help you select a model based on special parameters (style, material, additional options). When ordering several pieces of furniture, you save on delivery.
Style
For classic ensembles, the most suitable would be a wooden table (natural) of a simple and uncomplicated design. This model should not have a lot of decor.
In modern interiors (such as high-tech), metal tables with glass elements will look great. If you want to bring a wooden product into such an environment, it is recommended to choose plain specimens in black, white or gray.
In a minimalist ensemble, you should place the most simple and discreet table, devoid of decor. The simpler the furniture looks, the more harmonious it will look in such an interior.
In a Provence style interior, you should place natural wooden tables in pastel and light colors.
In the popular loft style, you can install almost any model. The table can be aged, more modern or even classic. This “attic” style allows you to combine many details belonging to different styles.
