Glass Shelf Etagere

The word étagère comes from the French word étage, meaning shelf. A glass shelf étagère is an open shelving unit designed to display ornaments or other items. They can range from a very simple unit where the glass shelves are placed on supports held by a wood or metal framework, or they can be complex works of art in and of themselves.

The Simple Glass Étagère

The simple glass étagère is the perfect selection for display small houseplants, such as African Violets. The soft fuzzy leaves of an African violet plant and its bright colors will make a brave display against a simple metal and glass shelf unit. There is the added advantage that glass shelving will not cast shadows on lower shelving units.

Tall Narrow Shelf Unit

A tall, narrow metal shelving unit with glass shelves makes the perfect place to display almost anything from your grandchild’s precious salt-dough art to that beautiful piece that you picked up from the art gallery or ren fair. The minimalist shelving theme will showcase your art pieces without overpowering them – including the salt dough art.

Glass and Wood Display Unit

Perfect for a hallway, large living room, lobby or lounge a wood on glass unit makes use of the startling reversal of having the glass hold up the wood. Display museum pieces, trophies, special books or unique floral choices in a shelving unit where the sides will not obstruct the view. The wooden shelves almost seem to float in the glass setting.

Larger Metal and Glass Units

Large metal and glass shelving units can easily support books, bric-a-brac, plants or your fine china collection. Their appearance is lighter than wooden units, taking up less visual space and not absorbing as much of the light. With that said, avoid positioning large glass shelving units near a window, especially a large plate glass window where sunlight could create a lot of heat as it shines through. There was a small business in the central part of the U.S. that had a rather embarrassing – and thankfully minimal – incident involving a plate glass window, a glass shelving unit, a magnifying glass and the scenery for a model railroad. Definitely not the sort of event anyone needs in their home or business. Fortunately, the blaze was noticed before it became large.

Wall Mounted Glass Shelving

Make your displays seem as if they are floating by installing metal support arms for Plexiglas or glass shelves. A super way to show off paper sculpture or other light items.