Choosing the Best Shelf Brackets for Kitchen Cabinets
Adding extra storage space in your kitchen is easier than you think. With the right shelf brackets, you can maximize unused areas inside your cabinets to gain valuable real estate for storing kitchen essentials.
But with so many bracket options on the market, how do you choose?
What Are Shelf Brackets?
Shelf brackets are metal or wood supports that mount to the walls of your cabinet. They securely hold a shelf, preventing sagging or collapse under the weight of items stored. Though small, they make a big storage impact.
Benefits of Installing Shelves in Cabinets
Cabinet shelf brackets offer many advantages over freestanding storage units:
- Increase storage capacity
- Fully customize spacing
- Gain access to dead space
- Organize kitchen items
- Affordable solution
With a simple DIY shelf bracket installation, you can double your cabinet storage and keep items neatly arranged but close at hand.
Types of Brackets for Kitchen Cabinets
The most common materials used to construct shelf brackets include:
- Metal - Sturdy steel or aluminum brackets offer durability and strength. Can handle very heavy loads.
- Wood - Complement cabinets beautifully by selecting wood shelves and brackets. Best for lighter-duty use.
- Plastic - Inexpensive but can warp or bend over time. Ideal for light storage needs.
- Glass - Crystal clear tempered glass or acrylic shelves add elegance. Pair with metal supports.
Key Considerations When Selecting Brackets
Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for the ideal shelf brackets:
Weight-Bearing Capacity
Lighter-duty wooden or plastic brackets typically hold 20-30 lbs safely. This capacity suits small appliances, cookbooks, or spice racks.
For heavier pots, dishes, or countertop appliances like microwaves look for steel brackets with 50, 75 or even 100+ lb capacities. Measure item weights before installing shelves.
Dimensions
Available bracket lengths range from 3 inches for small spaces to 20+ inches for bridging larger gaps. Height adjustability allows custom shelf placement.
For a stable shelf, choose brackets 6-8 inches long minimum. Measure inside cabinet dimensions before purchasing to achieve an ideal scaled fit.
Mounting Style
Freestanding shelf brackets need no hardware and feature anti-slip padding. Simplicity comes at the cost of stability however.
For safety, permanence, and strength, opt for wall attachment. Screws affix vertical standards to studs or the cabinet's side walls or back panel if accessible.
Aesthetics
Beyond function, shelf brackets also impact style. Black metal pairs well modern or industrial kitchens, while brass finishes complement traditional cabinets.
Select brackets that match existing hardware and fixtures. Or make a design statement by choosing eye-catching glass shelf supports in lieu of ordinary metal pieces.
Budget
A pair of minimal no-frills brackets costs $10-15. Sturdy steel shelves with brackets run $20-40. Custom fabricated wooden shelf and rod sets fall on the higher end from $60-100.
Set realistic expectations based on your budget. Metal offers the best value overall for household use.
Ideal Shelf Bracket Placement
Taking advantage of unused real estate maximizes storage gains from brackets and shelves. Consider these prime cabinet positions:
Corner Cabinet Shelves
Dead space often exists down low or up high in corner units. Brackets anchored along the angled walls optimize this. Great for canned goods, baking ware, cleaning items.
Wall Cabinet Shelves
Upper cabinets tend to have more air space. Divide them horizontally with brackets and shelves to stack items rather than cramming. Use for lesser-used or seasonal kitchenware.
Base Cabinet Shelves
The large void behind cabinet doors can adjust via shelf brackets placed inside the compartment. Ideal for large cookware pieces and bulky appliances.
Blind Corner Shelves
Take advantage of impossible to utilize dead space in blind base corner cabinets. Brackets paired with lazy susan type turntables create easy access storage solutions.
Follow these basic steps when adding brackets and shelves:
- Measure - Note exact interior dimensions and mark stud locations if attaching to vertical standards.
- Purchase Supplies - Buy appropriate brackets, shelves, anchors, and tools.
- Prep Area - Remove cabinet doors and empty contents. Protect surfaces.
- Attach Brackets - On studs or side walls. Ensure levelness.
- Insert Shelf - Rest shelf atop brackets evenly and adjust.
- Load Items - Transfer essentials onto shelves to enjoy added organization.
Securely installed and properly mounted brackets prevent tipping or collapse. Position the largest, heaviest items on bottom shelves. Maintain even weight distribution for ideal stability.
With fundamental carpentry skills and the right materials, installing shelf brackets requires only an hour or two of effort. But these small supports deliver enormous long term kitchen organization and storage gains.
Struggling to find homes for small appliances, cookware, dishes, and everything else needed daily to cook meals? Let shelf brackets maximize unused cabinet space. Employ sturdy metal horizontal supports paired with wood, tempered glass, or wire shelving to customize storage solutions.
Corner units, base cabinets, wall mounts, and island surrounds all allow bracket enhancement. Even ineffective blind cabinet corners become highly useful spaces with the addition of angled shelves or lazy susans.
Dollar for dollar, shelf brackets rank among the most affordable and effective means to multiply usable kitchen space. When evaluating products, consider durability, weight ratings, dimensions, mounting requirements and style coordination with existing cabinetry finishes.
While metal shelves adequately meet most household needs, wood or tempered glass upgrades provide enhanced aesthetics. Seek weight capacities exceeding anticipated loading minimums by 20-30% for a safety margin.
Measure carefully inside cabinet voids to ensure ideal fits allowing full optimizations of dead zones. Anchor into solid structural framing when possible. And choose brackets spans allowing storage of the largest, heaviest items on lower shelves securely.
Achieve double, even triple capacity boosts through shrewd shelf and bracket insertion in underused areas. Store goods right where you need them most, keeping kitchen tools and ingredients close at hand during meal preparation. Let enhanced organization streamline cooking efficiency.
Durable metal horizontal supports paired with wood, glass or wire shelf materials customize unused kitchen cabinet space. Install brackets and shelving to optimize corner units, base cabinets, wall mounts and island surrounds. Use angled shelves or lazy susans to access formerly useless blind cabinet corners.
When shopping compare durability, dimensions, weight ratings and mounting requirements. Seek capacities 20-30% above anticipated loading minimums. Carefully measure voids to ensure proper fits and full usage of dead zones. Anchor into structural framing when possible for maximum stability.
Properly installed shelves and brackets effectively double unused cabinet space. Position most heavy, bulky goods below with lighter items above. Maintain even weight distribution to prevent tipping failures. Transfer essentials onto new organizers to simplify cooking and boost kitchen efficiency.