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Wooden shelving is a popular option for homes nowadays because of the simplicity and strength found within the pieces. There are plenty of decorating opportunities in wooden shelves, so much so that most people are unaware of the sheer number of things they can do with simple pieces of wood. If you have been considering a new wall decoration for your home, some of the design ideas below may be just what you are looking for.

Preparing for the Shelving

Before you start any kind of decorating with wooden shelving, you must make sure you know the weight bearing abilities of the wall you will be working on. If you only plan to put some small knick-knacks on the shelves, you may not have an issue with standard drywall. Otherwise, you need to make sure there are a few strong studs in the wall that you can anchor into to hold the larger pieces you want to display. It is a good idea to have a stud finder and level on hand prior to installation so you can mark the placement of the pieces exactly where you want them. You may also want to have wall anchors and some supporting brackets in case the shelves do not hold up as strongly as you wanted them to. Then you can proceed with securing the shelves into the wall.

Modern Wooden Shelves

If you want to keep a modern look with the wooden wall shelves you use, you may consider having them float on the wall as if they are jutting out. Most modern spaces will use black or white shelves for a dramatic look, but you can keep them whatever color you would like. One easy way to have this floating appearance is to secure a piece of wood to the wall where you want the shelf to go. Then you can make a shelf where the back fits snug right around that board, as if the board on the wall is a biscuit joiner you are using. Then you can either glue the two pieces together or screw the larger one into the smaller on the top and bottom. That all depends on the look you are aiming to achieve.

Lighted Shelves

You can draw some attention to your wooden shelves by purchasing ones with glass in the center. While you may not be able to see the glass looking from the side of the shelves, you can post lights above them that will shine through the panes of glass and illuminate whatever you have on top of them. These can be colored lights or traditional ones, but be warned that bright white bulbs tend to give off a stark or blinding feeling. You can put the shelves on top of each other or in a pattern of your choice, just as long as you make sure the light can reach all of them. You may consider displaying other glass pieces on the glass and wood shelves so those can be lit up as well. Just be sure that the items are not heavy enough to break the glass on the shelf.

Traditional Book Shelves

You can always opt to hang traditional wooden book shelves in your home, as long as they fit the theme of the room. These are perfect for framing a fireplace or filling an empty wall in a larger room. Oftentimes this actually adds value to the home as long as you install them properly. You may want to get a full shelving unit that can rest on the floor so you do not have to worry about the wall bearing the weight of the books. These can get quite heavy over time. If you do opt to have the shelves hanging, use anchors in the studs to firmly secure them in place, and attach L-brackets under the shelves if they are not going to be noticed. If they are, be sure to make the supporting brackets decorative in a fitting theme.

Boxed Wood Shelves

You do not always have to look for wooden shelving units that look like individual planks of wood. Some of the most interesting shelving systems out allow you to put actual boxes on your wall for a display. You can put something in the middle of the box or on the top, which gives you greater versatility when you start to decorate. You can also put these in interesting patterns along the wall, unless you opt for a traditional linear appearance. Some people like to paint the boxes in different colors to tie into the room, and there is plenty of geometric art and material out there for you to pull inspiration from. Look at a local fabric store for something that has the same shape as the shelves you purchased and make a design from there.

Wooden shelves look good in almost any setting, and they can complement multiple design schemes from contemporary to classic, depending on how they are used. Wood has been used for thousands of years, so it is a proven and time tested material that can be used for any kind of furniture. It is very durable, aesthetically flexible, and brings a sense of style and value to the area.

Benefits of Wood Shelves

People have been using wood for as long as there have been trees, although many other materials have been invented; wood is still the most popular material. It is much easier to alter and more versatile than other materials like plastic and metal. Plastic is cheaper than wood but it is quite weak and can snap easily. Over time, plastic will also become discolored and brittle. Metal is much stronger than plastic or wood, but it can make the surroundings look industrial and lack warmth. Wood is stronger than plastic and better looking than metal, making it the best choice of material.

If you grow tired of the way your shelves are looking, you can simply drill, cut, paint, or stain them into a new style and color. There a limitless possibilities with wood, which is why it has such a timeless appeal. It is also extremely cost effective, because no material looks nearly as good as wood does for its price. There is a host of unknown materials and products on the market with unproven reliability, but most people know that wood shelving is reliable and will go the distance. Even older wood can be salvaged and refurnished to make it look as good as new.

Individuals who need to set up shelving themselves often find that wood is much easier to work with compared to glass or metal. Glass is very fragile and will break if it is dropped or positioned at the wrong angle. Metal can be very heavy, making it dangerous to use without the help of a few people. First time DIY workers will find that wooden wall shelves are one of the easiest projects to start with. They will give you a lot of experience to start working with other materials as well.

Shelving for Trade Shows

Wooden shelving units are often used for trade show because of their design allows them to quickly be assembled and disassembled. Most shelves are fastened to the wall with brackets, but wooden book shelves can also be used to display whatever products are being showcased. Adjustable shelves are always supported with brackets, these supports are inexpensive and much easier to install than wood supports. The shelf bracket and standard is one of the most popular shelf supports. In is neat in appearance and easy to install, making it very convenient for trade shows. All you need to fasten these shelves is a set of wrenches or a screwdriver. Some brackets do not require any screws or bolts, instead they use thick rubber or wood plugs to hold up the surface.

When arranging products on your shelves, make sure the items are not too heavy for the shelves to handle. Items that have a lot of weight should be placed on the sides or directly under the brackets or supports. Placing heavy items in the middle will cause the center to sag, permanently ruining your shelf.

Wood Shelf Care

Wood is a very durable material, but it is still subject to wear. If wood is not taken care of properly, it can rot, discolor, or get eaten by termites. After you have constructed or purchased your shelf set, you will need to regularly care for it to make sure it lasts a long time.

Even though moisture is good for trees, it is the biggest cause of wood problems for shelves. Thin wood is especially vulnerable to this problem and some shelves can rot in a matter of days. Installing shelves in wet places or near radiators cause it to soak up moisture and begin rotting. Small amounts of water will cause wood to bow and crack, rendering it unusable. Once these problems happen, the shelves are almost impossible to fix. Throughout the summer, use an air conditioner to lessen the humidity level.

Too much heat can also create problems for wood. Avoid having your shelves in the sun unless there is no other option. If wood is exposed to sunlight for long periods of time, it will wear out the protective coating and become discolored.

Wooden shelves should be polished and cleaned periodically to maintain its pristine form. There are many products available for polishing wood, so you should use specialized cleaners instead of soap and water. Old wood will often have blemish areas that need to be sanded and refurbished to protect it and improve its look.