How Far Apart Should Kitchen Shelves Be

How Far Apart Should Kitchen Shelves Be?

When designing a kitchen, proper kitchen storage is essential. Kitchen shelves can enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of a kitchen, providing ample space for cookware, appliances, and other kitchen essentials. However, determining the optimal distance between kitchen shelves is crucial to ensure ease of access and efficient space utilization.

Essential Aspects to Consider:

Item Height: The height of cookware, appliances, and other items you plan to store on the shelves.
Shelf Thickness: The thickness of the shelves, which affects the available vertical space.
Wall Thickness: The thickness of the wall where the shelves will be mounted, which determines the depth of the shelves.
Vertical Space: The distance between the top shelf and the ceiling, as well as between each shelf.
Accessibility: The height and spacing of shelves should allow for comfortable reach and retrieval of items.

### Planning the Distance

Once the essential aspects are considered, it's time to plan the shelf spacing. Generally, a vertical space of 12-15 inches is recommended for shelves used to store everyday items like dishes, glasses, and pantry items. This allows for easy access and visibility.

For shelves used to store taller items such as pots, pans, or appliances, a vertical space of 18-21 inches is preferable. Shelves intended for heavy appliances or cookware may require additional vertical space for stability.

### Shelf Thickness and Wall Thickness

The thickness of the shelf and wall plays a role in determining the depth of the shelves. Typically, shelves are 1-1.5 inches thick. Adding the shelf thickness to the wall thickness provides an estimate of the shelf depth.

For example, if the wall is 5.5 inches thick and the shelf is 1.25 inches thick, the shelf depth would be approximately 6.75 inches. This calculation ensures that the shelves are adequately supported by the wall.

Conclusion

Determining the ideal distance between kitchen shelves requires careful consideration of the essential aspects discussed above. By balancing item height, shelf thickness, wall thickness, vertical space, and accessibility, you can create a kitchen storage system that maximizes both functionality and aesthetics.