When it comes to kitchen storage, you can never have enough. Whether for appliances, baking supplies, crockery, and then some – a baker's rack might just be the solution you need. These versatile racks can also be used in a number of locations, depending on what you prefer. Let us answer your question – what is a baker's rack? So you can decide if you need one in your life.

What Is a Baker's Rack?

A baker's rack is a type of storage system that is most commonly used in, but not limited to, the kitchen. So what is a baker's rack exactly? In short – a little bit of everything. While this versatile piece of furniture was originally used as a designated space to roll out dough, store ingredients, and place freshly baked goods to allow them to cool, today it can perform a great many more tasks. Today it can be used to house microwaves or other smaller appliances, store kitchen items such as cookbooks, canisters, utensils, and pans, tuck away or hang crockery, and even house wine bottles.

Design: Most baker's racks feature high open shelves atop a wide counter, along with varying features below. They are often highly decorated with flourishes, with wrought iron baker's racks being the most common style available – although it is not uncommon to find many mixed material options too.

Style: While it is common for traditional baker's racks to have a vintage-style appearance, it is also common to find many options ranging from the country/farmhouse to a more modern aesthetic. This collection of styles broadens the number of locations you can place your baker's rack in.

Features: Some baker's racks offer special features such as hooks for hanging mugs, wine racks instead of bottom shelves, and marble countertops for rolling dough and resting hot pans upon. Their purpose is to combine style and functionality, which they do with ease.

Location: Although baker's racks are primarily known for their place in the kitchen, they are exceptionally handy in many other spaces in your home. Offices, living rooms, bathrooms, and even outdoor spaces can all benefit from having one of these multi-purpose pieces of furniture. Often when baker's racks are found in locations beyond the kitchen, they are also called étagères.

Types of Baker's Racks

Now the question no longer is – what is a baker's rack? But which rack is best for your exact needs? Is your kitchen crowded and in need of a multipurpose storage option? Do you want a place to stash away linens and soaps in the bathroom? Or does your office require a spot to house electronics and supplies? Even the exterior of your home could benefit from a baker's rack. Once you have decided what you plan to use yours for, you can move on to picking the type of baker's rack that will benefit you.

Standard: The standard baker's rack offers an open-slatted back and shelves on which to store items such as cookbooks, baking utensils, and ingredients. The counter directly beneath is suitable for appliances such as the microwave or a coffee or bread maker in order to keep them from taking up unnecessary counter space elsewhere in the kitchen. Alternatively, this counter can be left open for baking purposes such as dough rising, rolling, or cutting. Finally, the area below the counter usually offers more open shelves.

Drawers: While they are similar to standard baker's racks, these simply contain drawers beneath the countertop. This is ideal for people who are looking to store cutlery, or – if used in other rooms – items such as stationery, papers, or cables.

Cabinets: Once again, these are like a baker's rack but with cabinets beneath the counter. These are especially handy for packing away clutter, storing items you don't use often, and simply providing additional storage space in one unique furniture item.

Outdoors: You may be surprised to find some baker's racks are designed to be used outside. Most commonly, outdoor baker's racks work well as a potting bench, allowing gardeners to store pots, seeds, gloves, and tools on the top, repot plants on the counter, and keep heavy soil or gravel on the lower shelves. To learn more about potting benches, read Choosing the Best Potting Benches & Tables for Your Garden.

Corner: As they are, baker's racks are the perfect way to add ample storage to a small or cluttered space. If the standard size is too large however, you can opt for a corner baker's rack. These are designed to fit into the unused corners of a room while giving you the much-needed extra storage space.

Now we have answered your question – what is a baker's rack, you have all the information needed to pick one of these storage must-haves for your home.