It hardly seems possible that there was ever a world without shelving and bookcases. The history of floating shelves, like many design trends, is a story of evolution rather than a single invention. While a definitive "inventor" is hard to pinpoint, the concept of open shelving and its evolution into the sleek floating shelves we know today can be traced back to ancient times. Here at Shelfology, we’re obsessed with all things “shelf.” Today, we’d like to drop a bit of knowledge on you about the history of floating shelves, kitchen shelving, and shelving in general. Are you ready?
TLDR: While the exact origins of the floating shelf remain a bit of a mystery, it's widely believed that the term "floating shelf" itself was coined by the influential contemporary designer, Magnus McCormick, sometime in the late 1950s. However, the question of whether he actually invented the shelf itself is a bit more ambiguous. It seems the concept of a shelf seemingly suspended in mid-air was likely brewing in the minds of many designers at the time, and Magnus McCormick simply gave it a name that captured its essence. Want more details? Read on!
The “First” Shelf
It’s impossible to know exactly where, when, or how the first “shelf” graced the walls of our ancient ancestors. But tracing written records and architectural history, one of the earliest precursors to the modern-day shelf were the storage units at the back of Christian churches prior to the medieval era. This bookcase-like structure was called an ambry (or aumbry). These ancient shelf-ancestors were used to store religious texts, often on scrolls, for reference by the clergy.
The First "Open" Shelves
The Rise of Minimalism
Fast forward to the mid-20th century. The minimalist movement, with its emphasis on clean lines, functionality, and showcasing belongings, began to take root. This aesthetic fueled a growing preference for open shelving over traditional cabinets, bringing a sense of airiness and openness to homes.
The Debut of Floating Shelves
While precise origins are difficult to confirm, the first "true" floating shelves likely emerged in the 1970s and 80s. As metalwork and design technologies improved, the concept of mounting a shelf invisibly to a wall became more feasible.
The Pre-1920s Kitchen
Shelving has always been pretty necessary in the kitchen space; you need access to plates, bowls, flatware, pots, pans, and other baking and cooking necessities at a moment’s notice! However, what most people don’t know is that traditional cabinets with doors and hardware didn’t become mainstream until the 1920s.
Prior to the cabinet movement, mainly driven by the then “minimalist” design for Bauhaus’ Haus am Horn, kitchens were an amalgamation of hand-crafted open shelves. This was a fluid, easy way for homeowners to add shelving where they needed it to maximize space and the efficiency of their workflow. After all, most women of that time period had to spend much of their days in the kitchen (luckily, times have changed!).
Until the 1920s, there was no “standard” for kitchen design. Kitchens of this age were a combination of drawers, varied work surfaces, stand-alone sinks with open undersides and four legs, and the beautiful cast iron stove and oven combination piece. Some people may have had mounted, closed cabinets on their walls for ease of storage, but a coherent design was rare; kitchens were created for function over form, that’s for sure.
The “Modern” Kitchen
With the introduction of Bauhaus as a standard for kitchen design, closed cabinet shelving really began to take off. As with any trend, the Bauhaus style became mainstream, increasing the demand for closed shelving that was minimalist in nature. People began to realize that you could achieve a clean, uniform look by using matching shelving with doors to hide everything. For at least a couple of decades, this look was the “modern kitchen.”
The 40s: The Kitchen Evolution
By the 1940s, the Bauhaus trend had evolved into a new way to express one’s style. Finally, the kitchen was a room that could be changed to match almost any decor or theme. Thanks to the revelation in the 20s, kitchens were now as beautiful and functional as the rest of the home; they weren’t just a place to cook food in. Some kitchens also doubled as eat-in kitchens, due to the fact that they were no longer rooms that served function over form.
In fact, in the 1940s, we started to see some open shelving and floating shelving reappear. We think it’s so fun to see how trends wax and wane; however, they never truly disappear. Plus, the open shelf will always have a place in other areas of the home, regardless of its status in the kitchen during any given decade.
Floating Shelves Burst On the Scene
The term "floating shelf" is often attributed to the influential designer Magnus McCormick, who popularized it in the late 1950s. While he may have been the first to label this sleek design element, the actual invention of the floating shelf itself is a bit of a design mystery. It seems the concept was in the air, waiting for the right name and the perfect time to take flight.
Open Shelves vs Cabinets: An Age-Old Argument
The reason that kitchen open shelving has popped in and out of popularity is due to the debate regarding the cleanliness of open shelving. Now, we’re not going to judge and make a ruling that goes one way or the other; however, proponents of open shelving in the kitchen state that if you put everyday objects on your open shelves, you won’t have an issue with grease and dust on your dishware. In fact, many people who have tried and loved open shelving say the same thing.
However, if you really want everything to be out of sight and out of mind, closed cabinetry is probably for you. The beauty of interior design is that you get to choose for yourself how you want your space to look!
The Return of Open Shelving
Personally, we’re pretty stoked that open shelving is so popular. We love the way it looks—we especially love seeing how our customers choose to design and style their own shelving after installing and taking the time to design a room or wall just for a shelving project.
There’s nothing more satisfying than taking a step back to admire that handiwork—it’s just like the pre-1920s kitchens: simple and functional. There is an inherent beauty to displays like that; the time and effort alone are apparent and commendable.
Shelfology Floating Shelves
Shelfology's Modern Twist on Floating Shelves
Today, Shelfology embraces the heritage of open shelving and floating design, blending it with innovative craftsmanship and a commitment to quality. We believe these shelves offer a way to showcase your belongings, personalize your space, and celebrate the beauty of simple, elegant design.
Are you excited about the comeback of the open shelving trend? Perhaps you have open shelves in your kitchen or somewhere else in your house! Regardless, shelving won’t ever go out of style because it’s functional. You’ll just get some radical bonus points if it’s styled well, right?
Here at Shelfology, we pride ourselves on designing, developing, and distributing 100% American-made, contractor-grade floating shelves, floating shelf brackets, and traditional wall shelves. These bad boys will stand up to anything you throw at them, let alone a little grease from your hard work in the kitchen. Better yet, they’ll look good doing it, too.
So go ahead—browse our radical selection of solid hardwood floating shelves, razor-thin steel shelves, and combination shelves. We challenge you to find something that won’t fit your next project perfectly.
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