Grundtal Wall Shelf / IKEA
The GRUNDTAL is a wall shelf from IKEA's stainless steel kitchen series, the one modelled on restaurant fit-out. It is a perforated steel shelf, 60cm long, that frees up worktop by taking jars, bowls or hot dishes onto the wall; the perforations let it sit lighter visually and let light through rather than reading as a solid slab. Brushed stainless is the right material for the context: it shrugs off steam, grease and cleaning chemicals, and wipes clean. Rated to a 15kg load, it holds more than its slim look suggests, pans and crockery included, not just spice jars. Wall fixings are sold separately and chosen to suit the wall. It is a plain thing that does its job and asks for no attention.
Design intent
- +Brushed stainless steel is an honest match to a kitchen wall: steam, grease and cleaning products are exactly what it is built to withstand.
- +The perforated shelf lets light through and reduces visual mass, so a functional steel object sits more lightly on the wall than a solid shelf would.
Trade-offs
- -It needs fixings suited to the wall, bought separately, and like any loaded wall shelf must be anchored properly to be safe.
- -Stainless scratches: the brushed finish hides it at first, but daily placing and removing of metal pans leaves a wear pattern that does not reverse.
Related products
The GRUNDTAL is a wall shelf from IKEA's stainless steel kitchen series, the one modelled on restaurant fit-out. It is a perforated steel shelf, 60cm long, that frees up worktop by taking jars, bowls or hot dishes onto the wall; the perforations let it sit lighter visually and let light through rather than reading as a solid slab. Brushed stainless is the right material for the context: it shrugs off steam, grease and cleaning chemicals, and wipes clean. Rated to a 15kg load, it holds more than its slim look suggests, pans and crockery included, not just spice jars. Wall fixings are sold separately and chosen to suit the wall. It is a plain thing that does its job and asks for no attention.
Design intent
- +Brushed stainless steel is an honest match to a kitchen wall: steam, grease and cleaning products are exactly what it is built to withstand.
- +The perforated shelf lets light through and reduces visual mass, so a functional steel object sits more lightly on the wall than a solid shelf would.
Trade-offs
- -It needs fixings suited to the wall, bought separately, and like any loaded wall shelf must be anchored properly to be safe.
- -Stainless scratches: the brushed finish hides it at first, but daily placing and removing of metal pans leaves a wear pattern that does not reverse.