Book genres
play a large part in determining a bookcase's shelf dimensions.
Homeowners use shelves for decorative and storage purposes. Books, keepsakes, artifacts and family heirlooms are just some of the items homeowners place on their shelves. The appropriate dimensions for shelves largely depends on the shelves' purpose. Many modern cabinets, closet spaces and bookcases allow homeowners to adjust their shelves' heights if necessary. Does this Spark an idea?
Bookcases
When installing or buying a bookcase, take into consideration the amount of books you own and the books' width measurements. A book's genre often dictates how tall and wide a bookcase's shelf should be. For adult fiction and reference books, bookcases are usually between 7 to 8 feet tall, since these types of books are usually read by adults. When obtaining a bookcases for children's books, buy or purchase a unit that is 3 to 4 feet tall. Book genres also determine the depth of bookcase shelves. Large reference and scientific research books require shelf depths of 12 inches, but most books fit on 10-inch deep shelves.
Closets
The dimension of closet shelving depends on what type of closet you own. The two primary styles of closets are walk-ins and reach-ins. Walk-in closets are larger than reach-ins and allow up to three walls for shelving. General contractor Gary M. Katz recommends limiting the a walk-in closet's shelving span between 32 to 36 inches per wall. The limitation prevents the shelves from sagging. Also, the shelving on each wall should be set apart from one another. Only one wall of shelving is available for reach-in closets. Most reach-in closet shelves are 4 to 8 feet long and 12 to 24 inches deep.
Kitchen
Kitchens use shelving in their cabinets and appliances, including refrigerators and ovens. The cabinets in kitchens accommodate plates, cups, cookware, silverware and plastic containers. Dimensions for kitchen cabinet shelves vary, depending on what is being stored. Most pots or pans do not exceed 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Thus, kitchen cabinet shelving usually has depths of 12 to 18 inches, while an individual cabinet shelf is 6 to 10 inches tall. Many cabinets, ovens and refrigerators allow homeowners to adjust their shelving height via supports or railing.
Furniture
Various furniture pieces, including armoires and nightstands, have shelves for storage purposes. Homeowners usually use armoires for storing clothes, and these pieces of furniture have shelves for shoes, socks, shirts and sweaters. A mandatory dimension for shirt and sock shelves is not as critical since they can be folded. However, armoire owners cannot fold their shoes; thus, shoe shelving must be tall and wide enough to facilitate the owner's footwear. Other furniture pieces with shelves are television cabinets and computer desks. In these instances, the strength of the armoire's shelf is equally as important as its height and length. Computer desks and television cabinets should have .75 or 1-inch thick shelving boards for sturdiness.
Tags: adjust their, allow homeowners, allow homeowners adjust, Book genres, bookcase shelf, closet shelving