Wall Book Shelves Like None Other

February 9, 2009

 

Are you tired of the same old options when it comes to wall book shelves and want to do something like none other?  You can and we will show you how.  Sure, you could go with the standard type of shelving that you find in most homes but if you love the unusual, we have something very special in store for you.  The following are some unique and even bizarre wall book shelves that will instantly become a conversation piece.

 

  • Staggered – Although a little more common than some of the other designs, wall book shelves that are staggered look great.  Because of the way these shelves are made, they appear uneven, almost as if they are going to fall apart.  However, if you were to measure, you would find that each of the shelves is perfectly even and the appearance is simply an optical illusion.

 

  • Room of Shelves – These wall book shelves are actually full units that create a room.  While some of the shelves are attached to the wall, others are designed as see-through walls that create a space in the center where you can place seating.  Then when you want to enjoy a good book, you choose from any of the shelves and relax right there.

 

  • Special Shapes – If you have children at home, a great way to encourage reading is with wall book shelves in the shape of something they like.  For instance, you might have a little boy who loves cars or robots or a girl who likes ballet dancers or teddy bears.  Regardless of the shape, you simply build the outline and then add the inside shelving, all securely attached to the wall.  Filled with books and favorite toys or other display items, these wall book shelves add fun and character to any child’s room.

 

  • Chair and Bookshelf – For people who have little space such as a small home or apartment, finding seating room is near impossible.  However, you can create wall book shelves that are made with a built-in seat.  With this, you have several shelves that encapsulate a reclining seat so you can literally sit back inside the bookshelf for some R&R with your favorite author.

 

Keep in mind, wall book shelves can be made into any design.  All you need is a little creativity, a few standard tools, and time.  With these things, you can begin a do-it-yourself project, coming up with wall book shelves like no one else.  Of course, if you are not much of a craftsman but you have good ideas, you might look for someone local who can bring your creation to life.  Another option is to conduct a search online using keywords for the wall book shelves you have in mind.  Chances are that you will find several companies that make unique designs or custom shelving units to your specs.

Making Wood Wall Shelves

February 9, 2009

Finding wood wall shelves online or at local stores is easy but if you want to get involved with a do-it-yourself project, why not make your own shelving unit!  Many people love being creative and making shelves is one way.  Although making wood wall shelves takes a little time and patience, the finished product is worth the investment of money, time, and effort.  The following are great instructions for building your own wood wall shelves to give you an idea of what all is involved.

 

First, you need to get the proper tools together to include a skill saw, t-square, level, wall anchors, decorative brackets, wood for the shelves, pencil, stud finder, gloves, wood stain, goggles, sandpaper, and newspaper or drop cloth.  One you have everything organized, the fun begins in building your very own wood wall shelves.

 

  • Wood – For your wood wall shelves, the choice of wood is important.  Of course, you want wood that will enhance the style of the room, but also wood species that will be strong, durable, and last for years to come.  Additionally, some wood species are easier to work with than others so if making wood wall shelves is your first project, consider something that is easier.

 

  • Sanding – With the wood chosen, put on the eye protection and with the sandpaper, begin gently going over the wood, making sure you move in the direction of the wood’s grain.

 

  • Measurements – Next, the wall where the wood wall shelves will be installed needs to be measured.  This way, you will be able to cut the wood to size with one end going flush with the end of the wall.

 

  • Drawing – With the wood placed across a sawhorse and on the workbench, you want to put the t-square on the end of the wood.  Then, a line would be drawn so one end of the wood can be angled and on the wood ends that will fit together when hung for corners.  The outcome is perfectly matching wood so your wood wall shelves look professionally made.  Additionally, with the t-square, the wood is marked.

 

  • Cutting – On the angles you marked, the wood is cut with the skill saw.  When done, carefully brush off the sawdust and put the cut piece off to the side.

 

  • Anchors – At this point, the anchors need to be inserted on both ends at the location where the shelf’s ends will correspond.  If your wood wall shelves will be used for displaying or holding heavier type objects, we recommend in addition to having a bracket on each end of the wood to also add one in the middle for the added support.

 

  • Brackets – After getting the wall anchors in, the brackets would be attached to the wall. An easy way to ensure the brackets are perfectly level is to place the wood shelf piece on top of the bracket and with the level, check.  Additionally, be sure to check the levelness of the wood wall shelves on both ends and again, in the middle.

 

  • Staining – Place the newspaper or drop cloth down so you can start the staining process of the wood.  For this, simply follow the instructions on the can and to make the job go quickest, use a roller.  Remember, apply one coat of stain to the wood wall shelves and then if you want, you can always add more to darken the color.  Along with staining the top and sides, you should also add stain to the underneath side so the shelving unit looks professional.  Once dry, the wood is ready to have a coat of polyurethane added, which gives the wood a strong, beautiful finish.

 

  • Placing – After the wood is dry, set it on top of the brackets, using wood screws to attach together.  If you choose regular metal screws, you can hide them to make the wood wall shelves more attractive simply by dabbing matching color to the head of the screw.

 

  • Display – After you have the new, wood wall shelves firmly in place, all you need to do is start decorating.  When done, you can stand back and be in awe of what you accomplished.

Kitchen Lifestyle

February 8, 2009

Kitchen organization is never an easy task. Everyone knows that convenience in cooking and other activities inside the kitchen is dependent on how smartly it was designed. Maintenance would be easier if it was practically-arranged. At the same time it also has to look clean. Most of all, having too many supplies in the counter or the area of the sink would make it look disorganized. At the same time, it should still have that aesthetic appeal that would encourage long hours in the kitchen.

 

Aiming for an uncluttered look may sound intimidating especially when you think about how much change you need to do. The first thing to consider are the basics. As tools and equipment need to be fixed according to the frequency of use, it is important to evaluate your kitchen lifestyle. For instance, what kind of foods are usually prepared in it or what other activities aside from cooking are done in your kitchen. The theme the kitchen has is also considered. Once you got to the bottom of these, a layout of the most needed tools can be produced.

 

For experimental cooks, the use of spices are quite common. These are usually stashed in a drawer or displayed on a spice rack beside the stove. Keeping these spices in a drawer makes the cook bend down a couple of times especially when they cannot find what they are looking for. Meanwhile, having a spice rack beside the stove makes it easier for the cook to find the particular spice but it does take a lot of space. Kitchen wall shelves are ideal to serve this purpose. The shelf should be within your reach. best of all, having a bottle of spices on display gives added panache that is suggestive of the amount of time you happily spend in your kitchen. Kitchen wall shelving can easily be mounted and are quite useful in making any kitchen functional and beautiful..

 

One of the most common mistakes people have when planning the layout of their kitchen is the concentration of activity. The best is always to maximize the space you have especially if you do not have a spacious kitchen. A kitchen wall shelf in a corner is ideal for supplies you rarely use. For instance, tools that you use once or twice a month can be situated on the topmost shelf after all, it’s not everyday that you bake batches of cookies.

 

Kitchen wall shelves can also take the place of a decorative piece. Instead of putting a painting or a wall sculpture in your kitchen, you can use it for tools that are too splendid to be kept in a drawer. Lots of people are always on the look out for finds at a flea market. Copper pots and pans with that rustic feel would always go well with garlic clove bunches or a wine bottle. People can depend on their creativity in decorating a corner so that the kitchen would look more alive.

 

You can even put a jar of candies or jar of cookies. These should be placed on a kitchen wall shelf within reach to invite guests to have some. For breakfast, it is always nice to see a variety of cereals in transparent bottles. It is good to add some color and texture in your kitchen while it also adds up to the theme of your kitchen.

Wood Bathroom Shelves

February 8, 2009

Wooden furniture has always been an important part of housing and interior design. Pieces of furniture made of wood are almost always considered a classic in choosing either units of appliances or installing dividers and shelves at any given home. Since wood is a natural product and has already been tested through time, it is one of the most trusted products of all time. In fact, when product longevity is called for, wood produce is one which is more preferred than stainless or even than the more recent state-of-the-art inventions. This, of course, could aptly be credited to that unique natural characteristic of woods that most probably goes beyond mere planned obsolescence of its modern counterparts.

Wood bathroom shelves  are now being marketed by Myshelfs.com in the most affordable prices you could ever get within the United States. A wood bathroom shelf is that which you install on either the walls or corners of your bathroom. They could be a very good replacement for plastic or glass ones. Myshelfs.com presents customers with only the best hand crafted wood bathroom shelves in the country. 110% of client satisfaction is guaranteed so consumers and buyers could very well be protected. Of course primordial among a long list of factors and considerations the business keyed in, is the welfare of their potential customers. Their satisfaction is of great importance to the success of the enterprise, that is why they have had to elaborately plan and align their own venture goals to what they think would be of greater beneficence to consumers.

This variety of wooden products comes with a unique hassle-free decision-making to customers in aspect of the design, size, material, or color of the product that they are eyeing. For example, different styles may vary according to the unique taste of each of the customer such as Victorian, rounded, classic, double tier, crown, and many others. Orders may also be differentiated according to where people would like the finished products installed, either on the walls, or in each corner. Even the colors are of customers’ free decision. Available colors are dyed as per the wood material used. These are the following: oak, maple, or cherry. Customers could also be sure that these are one hundred percent and elaborately crafted by human hands; hence, you could be made assured of the fine quality on which this yearning, humble venture is edging.

However, an essential concern, if not the most frequent query on wood products to be used inside a bathroom is the longevity of the duration of the strength of both the color and structure of the wooden product since this may get so exposed to water. Customers need to worry not. These wood bathroom shelves are always made of the finest wood quality and further dyed with furniture colors that would protect the inner composition of the product. And in the first place, these would not be designed by experts to be displayed inside a bathroom if it does not pass the quality assurance of the U. S. consumer rights and welfare agencies and departments.

Books, a Man’s Best friend

February 8, 2009

Library is a student’s company in the same manner as books are student’s best friend.  Books are the most precious resource materials for researching.  It is the ultimate source of wisdom and consultant for a fount of knowledge.  Amazingly, it would be unbelievable for individuals who can afford to put up a mini-library at home knowing that it is a rare instance and most books created by famous authors are costly.  Even classic literature books are so expensive that rarely one can afford to buy.

            Book enthusiasts, some of whom are writers, journalists, columnists, editors, authors and working professionals can afford to make their own mini-library.  However, at the onset of their collection, they have started from making use of the corner book shelves.  As time progresses, unknowingly they have a box of novels and books already given by a colleague either as a gift or a remembrance.

Students can put up their own.  If one is used to be studying in a private school from kindergarten to high school, it is a normal attitude to organize textbooks used in the school through corner bookshelves.  Unlike pupils from public schools, private school students are provided with reading materials included in their tuition fees.  If these books are compiled up to college, a corner book shelf won’t suffice.  Depending on how bookworm a person will be, one may start collecting from childhood until adulthood.   For instance, barter and trading in can be a good concept.  In exchange of parent’s errands or as a reward for hitting a high mark in school, a child can negotiate to ask for that favorite novel that he is dying to read.  For sure, parents won’t say ‘no’ for it.  It is a better request than anything else. As a hobby, book collection is indeed very purposeful in nature.

            Additionally, book lovers are well-trained during their early year that is why when they enter at the age of maturity, they could have been very much advanced readers.  A person who is a wide reader will obviously have excellent research, communication and writing skills.    In the bedroom, a piece of corner bookshelf may just be necessary enough for the placement of everyday reading materials such as bible, diary, favorite novel and a magazine.  All other books, if they are plenty enough, can be placed in a mini-library in a certain nook of the house, probably at the living room.

            Since the onset of technology, visiting libraries may not only be limited to the physical books.  But one can research comprehensively online with the help of internet connection and various websites around the globe.  Easy accessing of the books will be available to students.  Just a click and everything pops out.  If you are a person who is always on the go and really needs to browse an important material needed for the report, an online library may just be the right solution for your problem.  There is only one disadvantage; that if, there is an intermittent power interruption and internet connection failure.

Tips for Installing Wall Mounted Shelving

February 8, 2009

After shopping around, you finally found the perfect wall mounted shelving  system but now, you are unsure how to install it.  Remember, even if you are not overly handy, you can always do the installation on your own simply by knowing how.  Of course, the other option would be to spend even more money hiring someone to do the installation for you but why.  As you will discover, wall mounted shelving units are made today so they are much easier to install, perfect for any homeowner.

 

What you will discover is that installing wall mounted shelving is not that difficult.  Of course, if you have chosen a large or heavy shelving unit then you would likely need the help of a friend.  Once your new shelf is up, the room will look amazing and you will have a much more functional way to show off your favorite collectibles.

 

  • Start by making sure the wall on which the wall mounted shelves will be installed is cleared of any artwork and if you plan to do any painting, this should be done first.

 

  • Next, get all the needed tools together.  Depending on the wall mounted shelves purchased, you may be provided with an instructional sheet that tells you the tools needed but if not, you will probably need a level, pencil, screws, and screwdriver (with appropriate bit head).

 

  • Typically, people install wall mounted shelves so they are centered on a wall but the most important thing is to find the wall studs.  This can be done with an inexpensive stud finder or you can gently tap on the wall with a hammer or the end of a screwdriver, listening for a solid sound.  Areas of the wall that sound hollow do not have studs.  The reason this is important is that you want the screws to go into the wood studs, which is what gives the shelving stability and security.

 

  • Next, determine the appropriate space between where the mounts will go, making a small mark with the pencil.

 

  • With the level, check the marks just made to be sure they are level so once the mounts and brackets are installed and shelves hung, they will be perfect.  Simply make any adjustments on your pencil marks for the next step.

 

  • With the pencil marks in place, mount the standards to the wall and attach the brackets.

 

  • Once the brackets are screwed firmly in place, all you need to do is place the wall mounted shelves on the brackets and adjust so they are sitting in the right position.

 

  • As soon as the wall mounted shelves are on the brackets, you are ready to start organizing the items you want displayed.  Remember, wall mounted shelves can be hung as standalone or multiple units that are symmetrical or staggered, depending on the look you prefer.

International Corner Bookshelf Designs

February 8, 2009

 

Many homeowners use different ethnic influences to decorate.  If this is you, the look can be completed simply by choosing a corner bookshelf design that goes with the international flare.  Many times, a person will go all out with room design but forget the importance of shelving.  However, so you can display beautiful objects from world traveling or simply ethnic pieces you have purchased locally, you can be sure to find many wonderful options for international corner bookshelf designs.

 

  • Mexico – A beautiful style often seen in Southwest and Spanish style homes comes straight out of Mexico.  Vibrant yet warm colors and a casual feel this is a wonderful way to transform the look of any home. A great corner bookshelf option is one with a rustic appearance made from 100% ponderosa pine and wormwood.  To get the most out of this purchase, we recommend you consider a corner bookshelf with both upper and lower cabinets, which creates display room and storage.  You can fine authentic pieces made in Mexico by local craftsmen, some as old as 250 years old for around $500 to $600.

 

  • Spain – Another fabulous and more ornate option for a corner bookshelf comes from Barcelona Spain.  Priced around $600, this is a stunning piece designed in the Spanish revival style.  Made out of dark, red walnut with a gorgeous over glaze, this particular corner bookshelf is embellished with cast metal door grills and metal accents.

 

  • Asia – Of course, corner bookshelves made in Asia are among the most gorgeous and detailed.  Although original pieces can be quite expensive, there are a number of reputable companies throughout Asia that have master craftsmen capable of making amazing reproductions.  A common type of corner bookshelf made into reproduction pieces is the cherished curio cabinet, which can be used for intricate figurines, books, artwork, or whatever you prefer.

 

  • India – A corner bookshelf made from beautiful rosewood is also a popular consideration.  These shelving units are made from the highest quality raw wood, carefully chosen to avoid large knots.  The wood is then chemically treated to eliminate termite and other insect damage and after going through the seasoning process, the corner bookshelf is designed.  This is a wonderful addition that has clean lines, making it ideal for traditional, transitional, or even contemporary style homes.

 

  • Vietnam – Bamboo has become one of the most popular flooring and furniture materials in today’s market for a number of reasons.  First, bamboo is harvested, which means the tree never dies but reproduces the materials needed.  Therefore, this is a “green” material that helps save the environment.  Second, bamboo is gorgeous, rich in color, and a very strong, durable material.  Of course, a bamboo corner bookshelf can be made with a formal or informal design but either way, the furniture piece is stunning.  A corner bookshelf made in Vietnam is treated to prevent termite and ant damage while not changing the natural color.  The piece is finished with a glossy for shine and adds style to any room.

Saving Space Corner Bookshelves

February 8, 2009

For people living in apartments, dorm rooms, or even homes with little space, corner bookshelves are a great way to display favorite items and increase storage.  Today, there are hundreds and hundreds of design options with corner bookshelves made of all types of materials and in various sizes and styles.  Many times, people forget about room corners where small or large bookshelves can be placed.

 

Corners offer viable space, perfect for creating a visual in the room and storing books, CDs, videos, magazines, small sporting equipment, dolls and stuffed animals, office supplies, and much more.  If you want a corner unit simply to show off a great collection then you could go with open shelves but if you are looking for both display and storage, there are many corner bookshelves that are designed with closing cabinet doors.

 

The key when purchasing any type of bookshelf is to buy the highest quality you can afford.  After all, nice corner bookshelves could easily remain in the home for many year and even be passed down through generations.  Therefore, when you get ready to buy, consider the bookshelf as an actual piece of furniture to enjoy.  For a contemporary room, glass and wrought iron are strong and attractive but if you want something warmer then choose wood and go with the species that would enhance the overall décor of the room.

 

Now, prior to running out and shopping for corner bookshelves, it is important to think about not only the current way in which the shelving will be used but also possible future use.  As an example, if you are looking at a bookshelf to hold stereo equipment you probably want something designed specifically for that purpose in that there would be holes through which cords would fit and the bookshelf would be both strong and durable.  On the other hand, if you want corner bookshelves for the kid’s rooms, then having cabinet doors or a pull out drawer would be ideal for storing games and toys.

 

Regardless of what the corner bookshelves will be used for, you next want to think about style.  Obviously, if you are choosing a bookshelf for a cozy family room, then something magnificent and ornate would not work.  However, if the bookshelf were for a formal dining room, you could easily choose a fancier style that would coordinate with and enhance the overall look and feel of the room.

 

You will also find wonderful options for corner bookshelves made specifically for the bathroom.  These shelving units are made from materials that can handle high humidity environments so you never have to worry about peeling, warping, cracking, or rusting.  The great thing here is that all you need is one small corner and immediately, a small bathroom with little to no storage is made into a more functional room, giving you storage for towels and toiletries.

 

Remember, there are many materials from which to choose.  Typically, a more traditional home with both formal and informal décor would look best with wood corner bookshelves.  A contemporary home, one with clean lines and a minimalist style looks best with glass and metal corner bookshelves.  If you have room and the style would work, you can always consider authentic antique pieces crafted in a foreign country or choose a reputable company that makes beautiful reproductions.

The Diversity of the Finished Wall Shelf

January 10, 2009

Although not everyone is an avid viewer of home improvement shows, I am sure that almost everyone has spent at least 5 minutes watching some form of home design show or other.  They are slightly addictive and the designers come up with these diverse rooms that reflect the tastes of the individual home owners. 

But what exactly does a home design show have to do with finished wall shelves.  Well, actually, everything since many designers goes out of their way to create interesting, beautiful and functional spaces by incorporating wall shelving into the space.  Okay, maybe the designers build some pretty elaborate shelves on their own but did you know that the finished wall shelf has reached new heights of diversity and you don’t need a degree in interior design to use them.

With all the exposure to wall shelves on television, it is no surprise that consumers are buying into the whole wall shelf craze that is hitting interior design.  No longer are wall shelves horrible looking metal monstrosities and they have become beautiful works of art that are functional for any space.

When it comes to wall shelves, you can find just about anything from floating corner shelves to intricate tiered wall shelves.  You can also find wall shelves for any space such as the bathroom, the kitchen or even as a floating corner shelf in the front hall for keys and other odds and ends.  The use is limitless when it comes to wall shelf units.

As a consumer, you will probably be tempted by many of the seemingly “cheaper” products that are available at home supplies stores and in some cases, there is a rhyme and reason for going with products from a home supply store.  However, a finished wall shelf takes your decorating to new levels of luxury with a very small price increase, sometimes no price increase after you take into account the price of staining your home supply shelf and buying the hardware for mounting. 

A finished wall shelf comes in a variety of finishes from rich oak wall shelves that would offer texture and storage space in a cluttered home office to stone style garden shelves that would look wonderful in a garden room or a bright sun room.  There are even painted wall shelves that could provide any girl with wall shelving units that reflect her taste in all things pink.

But besides the colors, you can find a use for any finished wall shelf.  Floating shelves, which can be found in floating corner shelves and corner wall shelf units, can be used for anything from decorations to storing recipe books in the kitchen or toiletries in the bathroom.  Regular wall shelves can also be used for everything and anything and all it takes is the creativity of the buyer to figure out the use of the wall shelves.

You are probably thinking right now that the unpainted wall shelving units that you can purchase can be just as diverse but the one thing that finished wall shelves offer is diversity without the hassle, and in today’s busy society, isn’t that what we all want.

Four Helpful Tips when Buying a Floating Shelf

January 10, 2009

Today, people have a growing interest in finding ways to enhance the appearance of a room while benefiting from a space-saving solution.  One of the best options currently on the market is floating corner shelves. This particular shelf design creates the ideal space for display or even open storage while adding a sense of style and sophistication.

                                  

When spending money on any decorative item, it is important to look for quality as well as a product that comes backed by a strong guarantee.  Unfortunately, some people will move toward an inexpensive and poorly made corner shelf, only to discover it fades, peels, or simply falls apart.  However, knowing what to look for will help in choosing the ideal corner shelf unit, one that will provide the perfect solution from a functional and aesthetic point of view.  Therefore, we wanted to provide you with four helpful tips on how to choose the right shelving unit.

 

1.    Location – The first step is to determine where the corner shelf unit will be hung.  Keep in mind, regardless of the room where the shelves will be installed, you have several great options so consider all the location possibilities.  Once you know where the unit will go, take accurate measurements.  The key is to choose floating corner shelves that provide the space needed while not overwhelming the wall space itself.

 

2.    Materials – You will also need to consider the materials of the shelves.  For instance, a wood corner shelf is beautiful for most rooms.  However, when used in the bathroom, which typically has a high level of moisture and humidity, it is important to purchase a floating shelf that has been properly sealed.  This would help the shelf to withstand a small amount of direct water although keeping it as dry as possible is best.  If preferred, faux wood shelves would be an alternative.  Since floating corner shelves come in a wide variety of materials to include wood, faux wood, plastic, glass, wrought iron, and more, you will surely find the exact match needed.

 

3.    Design and Shape – The next consideration when buying a corner wall shelf is to compare the various designs and shapes.  For instance, if you have a room with a more formal decorum, then a shelf with a rounded front or perhaps one with hand carving or a cherub design would be more appropriate.  For a casual room, a shelf unit with a molded front or one designed as a staircase would fit best.

 

4.    Guarantee – As mentioned, not all companies selling floating corner shelves or other types of shelving offer a reasonable guarantee.  For this reason, we recommend you invest in quality but make certain you are provided with an excellent guarantee.  The type of customer satisfaction you should look for includes shelving units backed with a six-month and 110% guarantee, which would be considered top of the line.