How to choose the right cup rack

For many, a cup rack is more than just storage. It collects coffee cups, mugs and ceramics in one place, makes everyday life easier and can also be a beautiful part of the kitchen decor. For some, it is a practical solution in a small kitchen, for others it is part of a coffee corner, where mugs, jugs and favorite ceramics are at hand. In our guide here you will find answers to many of the typical questions and comments that we receive from our customers.

There is no one right solution for everyone. Some prefer an open coffee rack with a light and elegant look, while others want a more closed rack or a model with a back panel that creates more peace. Material, size, room dimensions and small functional details can make a big difference in everyday life and whether you are satisfied with the coffee rack.

If you are looking for a cup rack or cup shelf, it may be worth thinking about space, use and expression before you choose.

An example of an open and light cup rack in solid oak is our Hebe cup rack, which has space for 16 cups.

Hebe solid oak coffee table

What is the difference between a cup rack and a cup shelf?

The words are often used interchangeably. Some say cup rack, others say cup shelf, and some are looking for a shelf for coffee cups or mugs. What they have in common is that it is a wall-mounted solution for storing and displaying cups, mugs, espresso cups, and often also small jugs or glasses.

A cup rack will often have a more divided structure with compartments or fields, so that each cup has its own place. A cup shelf can be more open and simple. Both solutions can work well, and the choice is mostly about what look and function you want in your kitchen.

Where in the kitchen does a cup rack fit best?

The location matters a lot. Many people choose to hang a cup rack in or near a coffee corner, where the coffee machine, cups, jugs and possibly a grinder are all gathered in one place. This provides both an overview and a good rhythm in everyday life.

Others hang the cup rack on a free wall in the kitchen, above a countertop or on a narrow wall where there is no room for larger furniture. In a small kitchen, a wall-mounted cup rack can be a good way to utilize the height in the room without taking up counter space.

A cupboard can therefore be both a practical storage solution and a decorative element that contributes to the atmosphere in the kitchen.

Hebe in a coffee or tea corner above or next to a coffee machine or electric kettle.

A cup rack can bring together the coffee corner and keep the cups close at hand.

How big should a cup rack be?

It depends on how much space you have and what you want to store. Some people need space for a few coffee cups close to the coffee machine, while others want to gather larger mugs, teacups, espresso cups and small jugs in one place.

When choosing size, it's a good idea to look at:

• How wide of a wall do you have available?
• How many cups should the shelf hold?
• whether there should also be space for jugs or glasses
• How big are the rooms?
• Is there enough space for the handles of the cups?

A narrow cup rack can be ideal in smaller kitchens or on narrow walls, while a wider model can be good if you want to collect several cups in one place.

Read more about our Hebe cup rack in solid oak, which has space for 16 cups and is suitable for both the kitchen and coffee corner.

What should be spaced in a bookshelf?

It sounds simple, but this is often where the difference between a beautiful and a truly useful bookshelf occurs.

Some cup racks are best suited for small coffee cups and espresso cups. Others are better suited for larger mugs, teacups or handmade ceramics with a bit more volume. If you use the cup rack every day, it is a good idea to consider:

• whether the rooms allow space for the handles
• whether the cups are easy to take out and put back in
• whether there is room for both small and slightly larger cups
• whether the top shelf can be used for jugs or taller items

Small differences in proportions and construction can have a big impact once the shelf is hanging in the kitchen and used every day.

The retracted vertical pieces in the cup rack provide plenty of space for the cup handles.

Open bookcase or closed bookcase?

An open cup rack often has a lighter and more airy look. It allows cups, glasses and ceramics to become a visible part of the kitchen and fits well in homes where you want to highlight shape, color and materials.

A more closed shelf or a model with a back panel can, on the other hand, give a more calm overall look. A back panel can create a clear frame around the contents and give a more unified and furniture-like look on the wall.

Neither is necessarily better. It depends on whether you want ease and openness, or whether you prefer more restraint and calm.

Should a bookcase have a back panel?

A bookcase with a back panel can appear more unified and distinctive. It can be a good choice if you want a clear piece of furniture on the wall, or if you would like a more classic or calm expression.

A cup rack without a back panel often looks lighter and more discreet. It lets the wall play with it and can make the cups stand out more freely. In small kitchens, this can be an advantage, because large and heavy elements can quickly dominate the space.

Both solutions can be beautiful. The choice is mostly about which visual expression suits your kitchen.

An open design without a back plate gives a light and elegant look

Which material should you choose?

The material is important for both expression, durability and atmosphere.

Wooden cup holder

Wood is the natural choice for many because it adds warmth and tranquility. Oak is especially popular because it is strong, durable and has a beautiful surface. A wooden cup rack goes well with ceramics, glass and other natural materials and works in both classic and more modern kitchens.

Metal cup holder

Metal can be a good choice if you want a more industrial, graphic or minimalist look. It can appear light and precise and fits well in kitchens with a more austere design language.

Painted or colored solutions

Colored shelves can be an obvious choice if you want to make the cup rack stand out more clearly as an active element in the interior design. It can add character and personality, especially if you work with colors in the kitchen.

Recycled materials

For some, the history of the material is a quality in itself. Reclaimed wood or reclaimed oak can add extra character and variety and add a special story to the product. It is not always the deciding factor for the purchase, but many people like the living surface and the history of the material.

Light and elegant or more striking?

Some bookshelves are designed to take up as little space as possible visually. Others are more striking pieces of furniture on the wall.

A light and elegant look can be an advantage in smaller kitchens or in interiors where you want to maintain calm and airiness. This is often achieved through open constructions, slim proportions and details that do not seem heavy.

A more distinctive look may be appropriate in homes where you want the shelf to be a distinct part of the interior. Here, thicker dimensions, a back panel or clearer division can give more character.

It depends on the space, the light and the other materials in the kitchen.

Small details that make a big difference in everyday life

When using a cup holder daily, it's often the little things that matter the most over time.

It could be:

• that the handles of the cups have plenty of space
• that there is air around each cup
• that the top shelf can be used for jugs or larger mugs
• that the suspension is simple and discreet
• that the shelf appears well thought out both from the front and from the side

It is precisely those details that often make the difference between a solution that simply looks nice and one that also works well in daily use.

Small joinery details and a simple suspension can make a big difference in the overall look and overall experience of the shelf.

Cupboard in a small kitchen

In a small kitchen, it is especially important that the cupboard does not seem heavy. Many people will benefit from a solution that:

• utilizes the wall instead of the tabletop
• fits on a narrow wall or in a coffee corner
• has a light expression
• provides good storage without appearing dominant

This doesn't necessarily mean that the coffee table has to be very small. But the proportions and placement matter extra much in small spaces.

Kopreol as part of a coffee corner

Many people today choose to set up a coffee corner in the kitchen, where the coffee machine, grinder, cups and jugs are gathered. Here, a cup rack can help create both order and atmosphere.

The advantage is that you can gather the things you use in everyday life in one place. At the same time, cups and ceramics can contribute to the visual expression of the kitchen, instead of being hidden away in a cupboard.

If you are designing a coffee corner, it may be worth considering:

• How many cups do you drink daily?
• whether there should also be room for jugs
• whether the shelf should hang above or next to the coffee machine
• how much air should be around it

See our Hebe coffee shelf in solid oak, which is designed to work beautifully in both the kitchen and coffee corner.

What should you choose?

The right cupboard is the one that suits your kitchen, your everyday life and the look you want to create.

If you want a light and open solution that lets cups and ceramics become part of the decor, an open cup rack without a back plate can be a good choice.

If you want more peace, demarcation or a more unified furniture expression, a more closed shelf or a model with a back panel may be a better fit.

If space is tight, it's worth looking for a model that works on a narrow wall or in a smaller kitchen. And if you use the cups every day, it's important to choose a solution that takes into account handles, compartment size and small practical details.

FAQ about cup racks

What is the difference between a cup rack and a cup shelf?

The words are often used interchangeably. A cup rack typically has several compartments or a clear division, while a cup shelf is often a little simpler and more open.

What should be spaced in a bookshelf?

It depends on what you use it for. Many people want space for coffee cups, tea cups, espresso cups, mugs and small jugs.

Is a cupboard good in a small kitchen?

Yes, a wall-mounted cup rack can be a good solution in a small kitchen because it utilizes the wall instead of the counter space.

Should a bookcase have a back panel?

Not necessarily. A back panel can give a calmer and more unified look, while an open bookcase without a back panel often seems lighter and more airy.

What material is best for a cup rack?

It depends on the expression and needs. Wood provides warmth and calm, metal can be more graphic and strict, and colored solutions can give more character.

Where do you hang a coffee rack?

Many people hang it in the kitchen by the coffee machine, in a coffee corner, above a countertop or on a narrow wall.