Shelves for the Home

Oak Shelving Around the Home

Traditional Oak Shelving From Manufacturers Such as Plateau, Mission Oak, Venture Horizon, Architectural Elements and Spectrum

Most of the storage solutions on the market today are at the economy end of the market, making use of modern materials as far as possible. Whether for inside the home, the yard shed, the garage or business premises, plastic and metals tend to prevail over other materials for shelves and storage generally.

Wood is still popular, though, particularly with bathroom & kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, and the familiar wooden storage shed. The types of wood used, though, tend to be at the lower quality end, with ply woods cheap veneers over softwoods commonly used.

Fortunately for traditional oak furniture lovers, there are many opportunities to buy oak shelving and cabinets. Some may just be an oak finish, but you can buy solid oak also. The Venture Horizon bookcase pictured is oak finish, but the Plateau CRX-2V 54 CRX Series Fixed Shelf Rack Audio/Video Stand, for example, uses real Oak. On the other hand, the Spectrum WRO824 Wallscapes Woodridge 8 by 24 by 1-3/4-Inch, Oak, Shelf Kit is an oak veneer product.

If you are looking for quality and longevity, and just love the natural grains of real solid wood, then hardwoods such as oak , teak, mahogany, beech, cherry, maple and ash are those which are most readily available and popular in north America and Europe. Coming originally from England, I grew up with a love of oak, and have fond memories of beams and pillars made centuries ago from this wonderful hardwood.

When it comes to home storage, oak shelving and units such as cabinets and bookcases are at the luxury end of the market. That is, if they are made from solid wood. If you can afford this long lasting wood, and it is correctly preserved, then you will have an asset that will last a long time.

So where might you use oak shelves around a residential home? In most, you wouldn’t, as they would look out of place in most cases. If, however, you have a period home or a country lodge, or a more modern house that is not too overwhelmed with sleek modernity, then using oak shelving may be a complementary choice.

Should the existing décor of your home allow, then oak shelves can be used attractively in bedrooms, living areas, study areas and home offices, and go well in classic kitchens especially. An oak shelf above an old stone mantel is a nice example, or a wall display shelf in the living room or on a landing or hallway can be discreetly used and be part of a quite modern home.

On a grander scale, though, it is probably in bookcases, display cabinets, bedside tables and kitchen cabinets that you are most likely to see this exquisite hardwood most prominently display in a home as a storage solution.

Be sure to have a good look around at all available oak furniture. The companies mentioned here are not the only ones who sell or make solid oak and oak veneer furniture. Your new bookcase or other shelving may last for many years, so it is wirth getting it right.

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