Closets and Home Organization - Cookbook Storage / Display

My wife has a LOT of cookbooks. She currently has them on the kitchen countertop (on an isolated section of countertop / cabinets aside for the main work area). I don't like where we have them - it takes away from the functionality of this section of countertop and they look out of place stored this way.

I was hoping for some ideas for storing the books. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of cabinet space to spare but we want to keep the books in the kitchen. She prefers that they stay out in the open.
I was considering building some wall mount shelving (likely matching up with the cabinets), possibly 2 or 3 short 18" or so in length, stacked. This way I could avoid stretching the shelves across the kitchen. I've never seen cookbooks displayed in the kitchen (other than maybe one or two) - any opinions on whether this is an exceptable solution to our storage / display problem? I understand we're talking about personal preference, however, I'd apprecate hearig form others, possible with their currrent solutions or simply ideas. As always, much appreciated.

Many have shelves for cookbooks in the kitchen planning area over the desk or on shelves in the island. Some opt for creative shelving options--inside cabinets or removing cabinet doors to look like built-in shelving. If you have an empty wall, you can build or buy shelving for display of books and accessories. Building to the height of the cabinetry will likely make the shelves look more part of the kitchen design. Or, if in need of extra counterspace or a buffet area, building lower shelves with a counter on top is an option. Some prefer to have cookbooks in the area where they do reading, planning, and relaxing.

Good idea to not have them on the countertop ;) I did the same thing and it just bothered me b/c of the space it took up and was in my way and would get grease and what not all over them. I only have a few cookbooks, so off they went in a drawer. :D

Twelvepole has great information and your own thoughts are awesome too! If you have the space for it and the proper place for shelves as you mentioned, that's a great idea. Another thought, depending on how your kitchen is set up, you may want to think about setting up a bookcase. You probably have no room for that in the kitchen, but if perhaps if you have a family room adjacent to the kitchen, you can put a bookcase there. Your wife may just collect some more cookbooks...right? :D

I'm waiting to get a whole collection of cookbooks too, so until then (enough to have a whole bookcase full), I'll be planning to get a bookcase and have it right in between my family room and kitchen. There's a perfect spot for it too. Just a thought and something I'm planning on doing for myself.

Thanks all - great feedback!
Sounds like a wall mounted shelf for cookbooks in the kitchen shouldn't be too out of place. I know where I'm going to put the shelves and how many (likely 3 shelves approx 18" in length - stacked). My next challenge will be to find a way to fasten my shelves to hollow walls (yes, there will be no available studs to secure to). I don't trust the hollow wall anchors out there - not with the kind of weight books will add up to. Time to google on wall mounted shelf options and mounting methods.
Thanks again...

I've most often seen a wall mounted bookshelf over a planning desk in the kitchen. Of course I've never seen the planning desk used as anything more than an overflow countertop and stuff collection area... Personally I think if you have space in a kitchen to sit down and read through a cookbook with a cup of tea, keep the books in the kitchen. Otherwise move them to an area where you would normally sit down with said books and a cup of tea.

With hollow walls with no studs, free-standing bookcase is likely the best option.

I know - hollow walls are a pain. My problem is that I want to mount the shelf(s) on a narrow section of wall space (approx 24" wide) and the studs do not line up allowing me to fasten the shelf supports in a logical position. The shelf wojuld be 18th and it would look the best if mounted in the center of the 24" space.
A book case may be my only option, but I'd prefer a wall mount - I'm going to ponder this a bit longer before I make a decision - there may be a solution out there some where. (Maybe a small bookcase sitting on the countertop?)

Hi,

I was doing some research about that myself. If space is a constraint, as it is for me, perhaps a tall corner bookshelf is a good idea.

I thought of the shelves and I worry that they could potentially fall and hurt someone ...

Twelvepole has a great idea with using an existing cabinate but taking off the door(s). I have seen designs like this and they look great! Infact when I do my kitchen I have planned on using that very idea....I have a small kitchen and it would save on space, plus it does look good. Anemone