When the renovation is completed: the wallpaper is hung, the floor is re-laid, a new suspended ceiling is installed, all that remains is to buy furniture, curtains, rugs, etc. to get a cozy, comfortable interior, thereby completely furnishing it. But before that, first you should think about where what furniture will stand, think about where and how various details, attributes and interior accessories will be placed.
One of these accessories are glass shelves; glass in general occupies a large share in interior design: glass partitions; modern glass blocks are used in the arrangement and design; mirrors and mirror tiles are widely used today - all this is also glass. There are also many other “glass” ideas for the home.
Glass shelves in the living room interior. The secret to the success of glass shelves
Glass is what you least expect to see as a material for simple shelves.
Transparent and fragile glass, at first glance, is not at all suitable for the functions assigned to it. And it is precisely this illusion and deceptiveness of perception that creates the basis for the success of glass shelves. Fragility is, of course, a myth. Since glass that has undergone special processing is used for the manufacture of interior items. An average shelf with a glass thickness of 8-12 mm can easily support a weight of up to 15 kg. Such regiments are also relatively loyal to strikes. But even in the event of an emergency, the shelf will not break into sharp and dangerous fragments, but will simply crumble into small round pieces of glass.
The transparency of the glass creates the effect of no shelves at all. With the right lighting and angle, you might think that the things placed on such shelves are simply floating in the air. Lightness and weightlessness allow you to relieve any interior, visually expand the boundaries of the room, and make even the smallest and darkest room more spacious.
Kinds
Since glass furniture is not only functional and practical, but also quite aesthetic in appearance, in stores you can find a variety of models of glass shelves that will suit any interior.
Shelves can be not only a standard rectangular shape, but glass corner shelves in the shape of a triangle, classic options, original figured shelves and modular shelf models are perfect for a small room.
In addition, there are various options for decorating the material, for example, glass can be tinted, matte, with a pattern, with faceted edge processing, in the form of a stained glass composition and with LED backlighting.
Decorative glass shelves on the wall. Glass shelves on the wall: difficulties of choice (35 photos)
Glass shelves on the wall can be attached to almost any room in an apartment or house. They would also be appropriate in the kitchen to arrange spices or put on the TV.
They will come in handy in the bathroom - you need somewhere to place cosmetics and washing supplies. You can put gloves and hats on them in the hallway, and books in the living room or bedroom.
The main difficulty is to make glass shelves on the wall in the interior look good and not ruin the overall decoration.
Advantages of glass shelves
Glass shelves have a number of advantages over others:
- Beauty. Glass is perhaps one of the most unusual and interesting interior materials in general. It looks simply chic and never goes out of style.
- Relevance. Glass fits perfectly into both modern and classic styles - the only question is what materials to combine it with.
- Reliability. If you don't hit the glass with a hammer, it will hang on the wall for many years.
- Easy to clean. The glass can simply be wiped with a dry cloth from time to time.
You should not buy fragile sheet glass - it will quickly become unusable and can also break into many sharp fragments. It would be much smarter to make a shelf from plexiglass, tempered glass or, if the budget does not allow, from acrylic.
It is also worth remembering that in those rare cases when general cleaning is required, you need to use special products to clean the shelves that do not leave streaks.
Varieties and main characteristics
There are different options for shelves - first of all, they come in different thicknesses:
- thin, up to five millimeters, suitable exclusively for light souvenirs;
- medium, up to a centimeter, suitable for dishes and things of medium weight;
- thick, more than a centimeter, suitable for large bulky objects such as a TV or stereo system.
There are also different types of fastening:
- hanging ones are attached to the wall with chains or cables, which looks good in classic interiors, but is reliable only for thin shelves;
- fixed ones are mounted on brackets, the design of which can be quite fancy and perfectly complement the rest of the interior.
The holders can be forged or made of wood, with carvings or intricate curls, they can depict something or be a simple triangular shape.
The shelves themselves can also be of different shapes.
Rectangular glass shelves
Simplicity of shape, sharp or slightly rounded corners - rectangular shelves can be considered classic. They have no specific advantages other than this aesthetic nobility, but they do have a unique disadvantage - you can stumble into a sharp corner and get seriously injured.
If you have a child or animals in your home, take this into account in your design decisions and choose rounded corners. They will not spoil the overall appearance.
Square shelves
A square looks more interesting than a rectangle - this is its main advantage.
And its main disadvantage is that it requires more space. In small rooms it will not look beautiful, but bulky.
Corner designs
In small rooms, corner shelves will look much better. They are built into the corner, completely occupying it, and as a result seem light, almost weightless.
They take up almost no space, but they provide no less space than rectangular ones.
They are usually installed in bathrooms and tiny kitchenettes typical of Khrushchev-era buildings.
Radius glass shelves
To use a simpler term, radius shelves are semicircular structures. Sometimes it's a pure circle, sometimes an oval, but in any case it's a smooth line.
They create a specific feeling of comfort, look interesting, and fit well into modernity with its curved outlines of everything. They have no specific disadvantages.
Custom shaped glass shelves
Since glass is usually cast, there is a huge scope for non-standard shapes - you just need to make the appropriate design for casting.
It could be waves, a shell, a flower, a triangle, a cone, a blurry blot with curved outlines, a heart - in fact, anything.
The big minus is the price. The more original the shelf, the more expensive its production will be.
But, if your budget allows, you can order a shelf to your taste, according to your sketch. And get a real work of art that would look good at an exhibition.
Decor of glass shelves
Choosing the right shape, size and thickness is very important, but you also need the right decor - this is what makes the shelf not just beautiful, but stylish.
Corner glass shelves on the wall. Glass shelves on the wall
Like anything, glass shelves can have a very diverse shape and design, as well as their destination. They are used in living rooms, etc., in the bathroom, and even in the kitchen. A large number of types and a wide range will easily allow you to choose the appropriate model of glass shelf for the wall.
Such glass shelves have a number of their own exclusive advantages, one of the main ones will, of course, be an aesthetic advantage, because they are often used for this purpose in the interior. Shelves attached to the wall give the interior a modern atmosphere, but if they are made of transparent glass, they will bring lightness and sophistication to the interior.
If they are complemented with gold-colored metal parts, they will add sophistication to the interior, but tinted shelves or shelves made of colored glass are respectively suitable for strictly stylish and cheerful sunny interiors.
Glass shelves do not visually burden the room, but rather make it light and airy.
They also have their practical advantages, they have a long service life, they are quite strong and safe, since they are made of tempered glass, even if such a shelf accidentally breaks, it will crumble into many small pieces and will not cause harm to anyone, since they are sharp , there will be no dangerous fragments. It should also be said that the edges and ends of such shelves are completely safe, they are treated with abrasive - sanded, or have a bevel, which actually makes them even more stylish and beautiful.
Glass shelves in the interior are very easy to clean; they can be easily washed from any dirt, since they most often have a smooth top. They take up very little space, but are not inferior in capacity to their analogues.
Glass options can be used for displaying and storing various things; it can successfully accommodate other souvenirs, books, magazines, indoor flowers and much more. When such shelves hang on the walls, there will definitely be something to put on them.
They will fit perfectly into any of the modern interior styles, since, as mentioned above, they can be of different designs. So, for example, in an apartment, shelves made of transparent glass, as well as options made of frosted glass, will fit perfectly.
For classic interiors, you can hang shelves with figured glass, complemented by metal sides. For high-tech and modern style, shelves with tinted glass would be a suitable option.
Moreover, a glass shelf in the interior can be used as an independent element, or maybe with other interior details. It should also be said that they go well with materials such as a mirror, for example, they often come with a built-in glass shelf.
Focusing on the general style of the room and the colors of its design, such shelves will go well with the following shades, such as blue, cyan, purple, beige, etc. They combine well with such interior elements as various kinds, they are often used in, and also go well with with various wall decor materials.
Wall mounted glass shelves - technical side (holder and fastenings)
Very rarely they are attached rigidly to the wall; most often, hinged fittings are used, which allows them to be adjusted in height, therefore, if suddenly you have secured the fastening system not quite level, then there is always the opportunity to adjust the level of the shelf.
The holder for glass shelves most often has a metal color: gold or silver; bronze color with an aged effect is no less rarely used.
Glass hanging structures can have completely invisible fastenings, thanks to which they seem to literally hang in the air.
Types: Straight and corner glass shelves
All glass shelves can be divided into two main types: straight models and corner glass shelves. Of course, it should be said that there are much more straight lines and they are designed for large living rooms, where the walls are mostly free. Corner ones are more often used in small rooms, where every centimeter of free space is of great importance. They help to rationally use the space of a small room. In our country, corner glass shelves have become widespread in bathrooms. Since in most cases in Russian apartments the sizes. Often such corner glass shelves have not one level, but 2-3, for greater functionality.
Straight shelves, in turn, can have different shapes of corners and sides; they come with rounded edges - radius, with right angles, concave sides, convex sides, etc.
Fastening and accessories for glass shelves
Fittings for glass shelves can be made of metal or plastic. Metal glass shelf fasteners are more durable and can be coated with nickel, brass or duralumin. The fittings can be powder coated, chrome plated, matted, etc.
Main components for shelves:
- shelf holders;
- pelicans – decoratively designed brackets;
- indentations - used for mounting glass to walls or furniture planes through drilled holes.
Glass shelves above the TV. Classification
Racks, shelves, accessories for equipment (in the language of professionals, “racks”) have always been there. They are developed in accordance with designer fashion and taking into account the requirements dictated by the characteristics of the equipment. A variety of support surfaces for home audio
- TV stands;
- stands for Hi-Fi unit;
- racks or shelves for CDs and DVDs;
- brackets, fittings.
They can be stationary floor-mounted or mounted (wall-mounted).
The most solid ones are TV stands. Depending on the size and massiveness of the model, they can be up to half a meter wide and made of durable wood or metal. More modern TVs are placed on elegant glass wall shelves 15-20 centimeters wide.
Hi-fi segments are not used for TV, so they are not so wide. Home theater stands are distinguished from simply television stands by additional shelves and niches for its components. There are combined models for an expanded version of the AV complex. All these are stationary structures.
The second type is a hanging shelf for equipment. Nothing heavy is placed on it and is always placed on the main walls of the room. The shelves are equipped with brackets with remote consoles and special clamps. In this way, the equipment installed on them is protected from falling.
A modification of this type is hinged rotary structures with a rotation mechanism. Most often, they are installed in the kitchen for a compact TV so that the housewife or family can watch it without interruption during meals.
Glass shelves. Types of glass shelves: brief description
- Wall shelves are one of the most aesthetic and, at the same time, laconic interior solutions, which can be made in various options;
- Hanging shelves are a type of glass shelves, the design features of which imply their attachment to the ceiling using special cables or other fastening devices, which is their main disadvantage. However, today manufacturers offer special types of fasteners that allow you to secure hanging shelves inconspicuously, without violating the integrity of the interior concept;
- Corner shelves are a type of glass shelves that allow you to make the most efficient use of room space, which usually remains unused. Using corner shelves, you can not only effectively organize the space, turning the corners into ideal storage for things, but also make them a real highlight of the interior. Corner glass shelves will complement the interior of any room.
But, despite the versatility of corner shelves, the traditional and most advantageous place for their placement is the bathroom. This is where glass comes in handy - it is moisture resistant and will not change its aesthetic and performance characteristics if hot or cold water splashes on its surface. In addition, it is easy to clean using any detergent. Glass is an ideal material for making corner cabinets or shelves for storing various small items useful in everyday life, or towels.
Glass shelves placed in the kitchen or living room are an original interior solution and perform the following functions:
- They are an ideal place to store things;
- Used to place household appliances;
- They perform purely decorative functions, being an interior decoration.
- Glass shelves placed in the bedroom and other rooms are characterized by similar functionality.
- The functionality of glass shelves can be significantly expanded if you give preference to multi-tiered structures made by yourself.
Important! By making your own glass shelf for placing indoor plants, you can create a green corner in your apartment, while saving space in the room. Such an interior solution will be especially relevant for lovers of indoor plants living in apartments with narrow window sills.
Important! The only room where experts do not recommend installing glass shelves is the children's room, where any potentially dangerous interior elements are inappropriate. This includes glass shelves, which can break with any, and especially strong, impact.
Modern technologies have reached a level of development where standard glass shelves in the shape of a rectangle will not surprise anyone, which necessitates the development of more recent interior solutions. The varied design and variability of the shape of glass products is a parameter that must be taken into account before directly installing glass shelves. To avoid mistakes when installing a glass shelf with your own hands, let’s look at the main characteristics of shelves of one shape or another.
- Corner shelves are a type of shelves, the design of which involves a doubled number of support points, and therefore they are characterized by increased endurance;
- Longitudinal shelves are one of the varieties that can be installed at any, most convenient, point on the wall;
- Round shelves are the most difficult to construct, but at the same time, they are more attractive and safer due to the absence of corners;
- Rectangular shelves are the classic, most discreet option, characterized by ease of installation;
Important! The presence of sides on glass shelves somewhat weakens their visual characteristics, but at the same time, it warns against unpleasant surprises associated with the fall of objects placed poorly on the shelves.
Advantages of glass shelves
A huge plus is the ease of maintenance. They are not afraid of water, so you can easily wipe them with a damp cloth.
Glass shelves are very popular due to a number of advantages.
Glass visually enlarges the space, and the wide possibilities for creating and designing unique designs allows you to bring to life the most daring design solutions.
Shelves made of glass are highly resistant to moisture and aggressive detergents and do not require complex maintenance. Using soft sponges and liquid detergents, you can easily and quickly remove dust and other dirt from the shelf;
Thanks to the peculiarities of the production technology, glass shelves have high strength indicators, so you don’t have to worry that under the weight of objects placed on them, they may crack or break;
It is noteworthy that with the help of painting, you can periodically transform the appearance of the glass shelf and change it at any time, since the paint can be easily washed off and a new one applied. Due to the specific structure of the glass, the shelves can be painted multiple times without any problems;
Glass shelves are suitable for use in interiors of a wide variety of styles. They look fashionable, stylish, fresh and not hackneyed.
In addition, glass structures fill the room with a special atmosphere of light and weightlessness.
DIY glass shelves. How to make a glass shelf: instructions
If you look at it, there are only two ways to make glass shelves: buy in a store or order all the necessary components, after which all that remains is to assemble them together and screw them into place. But the cost of such an undertaking is almost equivalent to a ready-made store design, so we will tell you how to make a shelf “from scratch.”
For the job, you will need a good glass cutter, as well as a belt sander with 120 grit abrasive sandpaper. It is best to rent these tools, unless, of course, you regularly plan to make glass shelves for everyone you know or for sale.
To begin with, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a brief instruction on how to use a glass cutter. This is a rather primitive, but very effective tool that even a beginner can master after 15 minutes of practice. The most important thing when working with it is to make confident and clear movements. In addition to a glass cutter (it’s better to get an oil cutter), you will need a long ruler. It’s better to practice on regular glass first, and then start finishing work.
Important: The basic rule when cutting glass is to make one confident and fairly strong movement. Repeated cutting along the same trajectory is unacceptable, since this will not help the matter, and the blade will only scratch the glass again.
To cut glass, you need to mark the cutting line with a marker, place a ruler along it (it serves as a stop and guide for the glass cutter), press it with your hand, and with the other hand with the glass cutter, run along the marking with a confident but smooth pressure. This must be done on a perfectly flat surface covered with rags. When you have made a cut with a glass cutter, break the material at this point. Be sure to follow safety precautions and wear thick fabric gloves to avoid cutting yourself. Unfortunately, the above instructions are not suitable for tempered glass, since due to its extraordinary strength it can only be cut with a special machine in a workshop.
When you have received a workpiece of the required size, you need to process its sharp edges, otherwise you will have to avoid such a shelf to avoid injury. Grinding is the most important stage of work, requiring utmost attention. For this you will need a belt sander. Of course, if you couldn’t get it, you can process the edges manually, but such an activity will take much more time and effort. Carefully walk along the edges of the glass so that they become, if not absolutely round, then at least blunt.
Important: While sanding, regularly wet the glass with cold water. This is necessary to prevent fine glass dust from spreading through the air. If you inhale it, it will settle in the lungs and remain there forever. For this reason, it would be a good idea to wear a good respirator. In addition, water makes the edge completely transparent. Of course, if you prefer a matte finish, you can use a little less water.
Grinding should also be carried out on a flat surface covered with a rag, positioning the glass so that the edge being processed only slightly protrudes beyond the edge.
Mounting methods
To fasten glass shelves, two elements are used: an aluminum profile and special holders. Both of them are not inferior to each other in terms of reliability and functionality; the difference lies only in the installation features. We will look at each type of fastening so that you can choose the most suitable one in your case.
By the way, the holders are absolutely universal, which means that glass of any thickness can be installed in them. This, perhaps, is their only advantage compared to aluminum profiles, which should be selected according to the size of the shelf. However, if you want to make a backlit glass shelf, you should choose the profile, since it is easy to insert an LED strip into it so that it remains invisible and illuminates the glass as if from the inside.
Installing the holders is quite simple. They consist of only two parts: a base fixed to the wall and a decorative stop. To separate them, you need to pull the base out of the top stop. Then you should mark a place for fastening on the wall, screw in the dowels (they should come with the holder) and secure the bases to them.
