Spacing cabinet shelves primarily involves considering the items you'll be storing and their respective heights. While there's no single perfect spacing, a good starting point helps achieve efficient storage.
Understanding Shelf Spacing
Here's a breakdown of how to approach spacing cabinet shelves effectively:
The Rule of Thumb
- Standard Spacing: As a general guideline, aim for about 12 inches between shelves. This spacing works for many common items and provides good access.
- Increased Spacing: To enhance the accessibility and visibility of your items, you can increase the spacing to 15 or even 18 inches. This works well when you need to display larger objects or want a more open feel to your cabinets. This is supported by the reference stating, "The rule of thumb for spacing is 12 inches between each shelf but bump that up to 15 or 18 inches and you enhance that sense of exposure and accessibility."
Adjusting for Specific Needs
Adjusting the above rule based on specific needs will allow for an even more custom solution.
- Height of Items:
- Measure your items before finalizing shelf spacing.
- Group similar-sized items together to optimize storage.
- Shelf Length Considerations:
- Shelf length often varies the most.
- This does not impact the space between shelves, only that of the shelf itself.
Practical Steps for Spacing Shelves
- Assess your needs:
- Take inventory of the items you plan to store.
- Note the heights of the tallest and shortest items.
- Plan it out:
- On paper, sketch out your cabinet and different shelf spacing options.
- Use the rule of thumb as a starting point and modify based on your items' size.
- Test your spacing: Before securing your shelves, test the proposed layout with the items you intend to store. Check for easy access and visibility.
- Install: Install your shelves securely, ensuring that they are level and ready for use.
Example Spacing Applications
| Shelf Spacing | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| 12 inches | Suitable for dinnerware, smaller canned goods, and books |
| 15 - 18 inches | Ideal for taller items like vases, larger canisters, and tall bottles. |
Remember, the key to effective shelf spacing is to adjust it to your needs and preferences, ensuring both practicality and ease of use.
