Every home chef belongs to one of two distinct categories: the organised and the chaotic.
Otherwise referred to as ‘Type A’ and ‘Type B’ personalities, the former cook tends to follow the recipe by the letter. When embarking on even the most complicated of culinary tasks, ingredients are kept separate, are chopped immaculately, and surfaces are cleared as they move. Their favourite cookbooks remain spotless, and rather than being dog-eared, they are marked with book-safe Post-it notes.
The latter chef (me, in case you were wondering), somehow creates sky-high oil splatters when cooking plain pasta, ruins cookbooks within minutes of opening them, and uses tomato juice-covered chopping boards to cut freshly peeled onions. I can feel the Type A’s cringing as they read this.
Yet no matter which camp you belong to, one thing is for sure: satisfying kitchen storage never goes amiss. Just because I’m a chaotic chef doesn’t mean that I don’t like things to be neat and tidy in the interim. Call me masochistic, but I rather enjoy walking into a serene sea of calm, clean countertops before the storm.
Likewise, the organised chefs among us are sure to appreciate a good ‘ole shelf full of Kilner jars housing perfectly pickled peppers, solid wood vegetable containers and aesthetically pleasing measuring scales. Often missing from the quietly methodical scene, however, is a decent shelf for storing a bustling collection of cookbooks.
Previously reserved for the Julia Childs of the world with their sprawling kitchenscapes, proper cookbook organisation is more accessible than ever nowadays – even with the ever-shrinking square footage of the inner city. Keep scrolling for a curated selection of the best shelves and units for storing your gastronomical bibles.
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ShelfMakers Cutaway 2 Tier Wall Solid Wood Shelf
The perfect country home-inspired piece, this cutaway shelf by the ShelfMakers on Etsy is available in multiple sizes and finishes to suit your space. You can even get in touch directly to commission a bespoke piece, should your cookbook collection be particularly large. All shelves are meticulously crafted from PESC-approved timber with timeless, durable joints for even the heaviest of gastronomical texts.
Buy now £47.00, Etsy
John Lewis Laguna Low Shelving Unit
A pop of burnt sienna in the kitchen? Don’t mind if we do. This side table is deep enough to double up as a storage well for your favourite cookbooks. Place it along the side of your kitchen island for seamless space integration. It could also be used as a bar cart.
Buy now £99.00, John Lewis
Sostrene Greene Wall Shelf
Unbeatably Scandinavian and undeniably cool, this bright blue shelf by Sostrene Green is perfect for those looking to design intricate shelfscapes featuring the most aesthetically pleasing cookbooks on the market.
Buy now £34.80, Sostrene Greene
Pear Tree Essentials Cookbook and Recipe Storage Large Foldable Bin
Low-maintenance and perfect for whacking in your pantry, we love this rustic burlap storage option from Pear Tree Essentials.
Buy now £24.40, Amazon
HOOBRO Tree Bookshelf
Give your books a new lease of life with this artistic design to display your most cherished pieces of literature. The unique tree-shaped design provides a trendy uplift to the atmosphere of your home office or general living area. This efficient organiser can accommodate narrow corridors and crowded living rooms or can simply sit beside your workspace for a chic, stand-out feature. It’s available in rustic brown and black, griege and white colourways.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Dunelm Mill Humphrey Corner Ladder Shelf
No room for a bookshelf? Dust off those cobwebs and start utilising your empty corner spaces. The Humphrey Corner Ladder shelf in a rich mango wood effect is ideal for turning empty storage opportunities into a feature corner for displaying your favourite trinkets.
Buy now £71.20, Dunelm
Heliconia Revolving Bookcase, ‘Ariel’
This gloriously rounded and rather mid-century bookcase combines black walnut with modern lines, offering a unique blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics. It’s named after a biography of Percy Shelley by Andre Maurois, which incidentally was one of ten titles chosen for the launch of Penguin paperbacks in 1935.
It is thought that ‘Ariel’ was the name of the boat that Shelley designed, and which sank off the coast of Italy. A true bookworm’s dream.
Buy now £990.00, Heliconia
Modern Book Stand / Kitchen Cookbook Stand
The attractive, ergonomic and minimalistic design of this cookbook rest immediately stood out for us. Though at first glance this stand appears to be more of a décor piece than something with a dedicated use, it’s got oodles of discrete practicality.
Due to the comfortable 30cm width and extra high edge, this stand easily withstands heavier cookbooks and perches them at the ideal angle for countertop reading. The four rubber feet prevent slippage and it comes in four colours to suit your personal taste: white floss, cream gloss, grey and green.
Buy now £49.95, NOTHS
