Shelving Options for Cabinets

Permanent Shelf

• One of the most common shelving options found in cabinets is the permanent shelf. This means that the shelf itself is mounted to the cabinet's sides so it cannot move. These shelves are ideal for heavier items, such as bowls, groupings of glasses and stacks of plates. Permanent shelves also allow you to place spice storage racks, smaller storage boxes and storage jars inside the cabinet in an organized manner.

Slide-Out Shelf

• Another option is to create a slide-out shelf, meaning that the shelf inside the cabinet becomes mobile. This type of shelf is useful, if you plan to store many smaller items or larger items. The slide-out shelf allows you to find certain items without getting down on all fours and searching a shelf for it. Slide-out shelves are created by installing sliding tracks between the shelf and the cabinet's sides, so it slides smoothly in and out of the cabinet frame.

Cabinet Shelf

• A cabinet shelf is a design where the shelf itself is attached to the cabinet door, so when the cabinet door is opened, the shelf pulls out with it. The shelf is often attached to metal sliding tracks, allowing it to slide out more easily. This type of shelving set up is useful if you wish to have a large storage shelf for larger items, while utilizing the cabinet door for mounted items, such as a garbage can or plastic bag holder. This shelving option is built by implementing a sliding shelf and detaching the cabinet doors from the cabinet frame. The door is then mounted to the end of the pull-out shelf.

Shelving Storage

• Despite the type of shelf you choose for your kitchen, you can purchase additional shelving storage options, such as spice racks, small boxes for packages and glass jars for pasta, flour, sugar and grains. These are useful on any type of shelf in your kitchen, as they provide a level organization in your cabinets.