Don’t let their name deceive you, these shelves aren’t necessarily unfinished. In fact, unfinished shelving is one of the most in-demand styles of shelves from everyone from that one tech bro who just moved to SF to your crazy Aunt Alicia looking to store her travel tchotchkis. But what actually is unfinished shelving and is it right for you? Not to fear, we’re breaking down all there is to know about unfinished shelving so you can make the best choice for you.
What is unfinished shelving?
Unfinished shelving is simply a type of shelf that has not yet been stained or varnished, thereby cutting the process of creating that shelf short by two steps. While ‘finished’ shelves have a thin coat of wood stain applied containing pigments or dyes to change or enhance their color, unfinished shelves do not. What’s more, unfinished shelves also lack a varnish, or a thin coat of liquid that provides a shiny or matte finish while sealing the stain, thus ensuring its beauty for years to come.
Why would you want an unfinished shelf?
Stains and varnishes have clear purposes for shelves, so you might be asking yourself just why anyone would even prefer to purchase unfinished shelving.
Customize Your Color
For one, unfinished shelves offer a fantastic opportunity to totally customize the look and feel of your space. Most retailers offer basic stains that promote the natural grain and color of the wood. And that’s all fine and dandy if that’s what you want. But if you’re in the market for unique-looking shelves, say, a purple shelf to match your purple room, you’re simply out of luck. By purchasing an unfinished or raw shelf, you open the door to a wide world of possibilities of color.
Ensure Longevity
Then there’s the varnish. As we mentioned before, varnishing wood allows it to withstand daily use and wear and tear. But what if your daily use is a bit more extreme than what’s considered normal? For example, maybe you live in Alaska, where the weather is as unpredictable as it is volatile, and you’re looking for a sturdy oak wood floating shelf for your deck. Normal varnishes might not cut it. Purchasing a raw shelf and staining and finishing it yourself with extreme heavy duty protectant helps you ensure that your shelf can withstand anything that Mother Nature throws at it.
Celebrate Style
Not only do unfinished shelves offer the ability to ensure your preferred color and durability, they also simply look stylish as heck. Clean, sensible, and true-to-form, a raw shelf offers smart style that doesn’t pull focus but hones it in. In fact, there’s a word for this type of style: Japendi. A combination of both Japanese and Scandinavian interior design, Japendi strips away the unnecessary to let the beauty of the material speak for itself. And we’ve got to say, we’re a fan.
The Pros and Cons of Raw Shelves
Raw shelves aren’t for everyone of course. And it’'s important to understand both the pros and cons of this unique shelf style so you don’t find yourself regretting your purchase.
The Pros of Unfinished Shelves
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Complete Customization: As we mentioned above, purchasing a raw, unfinished shelf allows you total control over its final look. Whether you want to make your shelf pop by painting it a distinctive, contrasting color from your walls, or you're looking for a monochromatic look, the world is your oyster and you can’t go wrong.
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A Fun DIY Project: Are you someone who wishes they could make their own wood shelf but just doesn’t have the time? An unfinished shelf is the perfect solution for you! With a raw shelf, the time-consuming process of constructing a shelf is already completed, all that’s left is to stain, varnish and hang. Purchasing a raw shelf allows you a fun, hands-on experience that completes the beauty and look of your shelf. So go ahead, take credit for making our shelves better. It’s true!
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Real Materials: No particle board here! When you purchase an unfinished shelf you know exactly what you’re getting, whether it’s raw oak, mahogany, or poplar.
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Easy Repairs: If you’re planning on keeping your shelf unfinished you can rest easy knowing that any scratches can be repaired in a blink of an eye. Unlike stained shelves, that force you to navigate matching the original stain, scratches in unfinished shelves can simply be sanded away as if it was never there in the first place.
The Cons of Unfinished Shelves
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Less Protection: One thing to keep in mind with unfinished shelving is that stains and varnishes are used for a reason. That reason being that it increases their resistance to spills and daily use. And if you aren’t planning on staining your raw shelf you will need to keep a close eye on open containers that can spill and stain or moisture that can warp.
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It’s a DIY Project: DIY projects are still work. And if you have a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the time needed to stain and varnish your new shelf. Finished shelves can be instantly installed….unfinished shelves not so much.
Does Nook Woodworking offer unfinished shelves?
Yes, Nook Woodworking offers unfinished shelves! All of our shelves are handcrafted in our Brooklyn workshop by master craftsmen. Available in oak, mahogany, and poplar, our raw shelves allow you to take advantage of our high-quality craftsmanship while retaining full creative control over the final look. Whether you plan to paint them to match your walls or apply a custom stain to highlight the natural wood grain, our unfinished options provide the perfect blank canvas for your space. Ready to take the plunge? Shop a huge selection of thick floating shelves, unique accent shelves, even propagation shelves! So go ahead, select the raw finish, and make all of your dreams a reality.
