Over the last few months, we’ve been updating our dining room, and while there are so many features I love, the biggest transformation came from adding a bistro shelf. Spoiler: this beauty completely changed and elevated the space and it’s one of my favorite features!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Iron Abode. As always, all opinions are my own.
A Little Background on our Dining Room Makeover
In our dining room update, we turned an empty wall into the banquette dining nook of my dreams. The previously empty wall is now complete with a cabinetry tower and a banquette bench with drawers as the base. Not only does this extend our small 10×12 kitchen’s storage, but it as beautiful as it is functional.
What used to be an blank wall is now a beautiful statement that also is loaded with function.
Why I Chose a Bistro Shelf
Back when I was in design mode, I thought I’d stack wall cabinet towers on both sides for symmetry. But here’s the catch: our downstairs is open concept, and you look directly into the dining room from the living room.
Rewind to when we first moved in… there was a very awkward closet separating the two spaces which we demoed. After all this work of opening up the spaces, I realized adding another tall cabinet would just close things off again.
I still wanted balance and visual symmetry on either side of the dining room bench, but without the bulk. That’s when I discovered Iron Abode’s bistro shelves—and immediately knew it was the perfect solution to keep things feeling open on this side of the banquette bench!
Why Iron Abode?
Iron Abode stood out during my research for their quality craftsmanship and endless customization options. Whether you want wall-mounted bistro shelves, ceiling-mounted shelves, or custom wall shelves in wood, glass, or metal, they let you design exactly what you need. To top off the perks: every piece is handcrafted in the U.S.
The Roux Bistro Shelf
I chose the Roux shelving unit, a wall-mounted bistro shelf that sits right on top of the countertop. There are plenty of styles, but I loved the simplicity of this design. It extends down to the counter, tying in beautifully with the cabinet tower on the opposite side and creating a sense of balance.
Custom Finishes and Materials
For my space, I customized the shelf with an aged brass frame and glass shelves. The glass keeps it light and airy (no blocked sightlines here), while the brass adds a sophisticated, modern-meets-classic touch.
But Iron Abode gives you tons of flexibility. You can choose from wood, glass, or metal shelves, plus multiple finishes and depths to fit your exact style and space. It’s like building your own piece of functional jewelry for your walls.
Delivery & Assembly
The Roux shelf arrived well packaged and protected. Assembly was straightforward with the included tools. Once it was assembled using the allen wrench and hex screws, my contractor mounted it securely to both the wall and countertop using the anchors provided (but this is definitely something a minimally handy home owner could carry out on their own). Within a couple of hours, the space looked completely transformed.
Is a Bistro Shelf Right for Your Space?
If you love the idea of more storage but don’t want to weigh down a room, a bistro shelf might be the perfect upper cabinet alternative. For me, it was a better option than a heavy wall cabinet and stores items that we previously had in our dining room hutch. It’s functional, stylish, and versatile.
Some of the best uses for bistro shelves?
- Dining rooms to store extra dishware or glassware
- Kitchen shelving for an open and customizable look
- Wet or dry bar areas to display a liquor collection
- Any place where you want storage without blocking natural light or sightlines
Final Thoughts
I can’t imagine our dining room without the Iron Abode Roux Bistro Shelf. The quality is outstanding, the customization options made it feel tailor-made for our home, and it brings in so much style while still being functional.
Plan A may have been cabinets… but Plan B turned out to be a Bistro shelf for the Better!
Girl Behind the Blog
I’m Jess, the creator of Oak & Grain. A mid-west girl at heart who now resides in Raleigh, NC. I love finding old things and giving them new purpose by way of refinishing or incorporating unexpected, overlooked thrift store finds in the modern home. I work full-time in medicine and I love dipping into my creative side and in the process, keeping my sanity. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube to see more behind the scenes action.
Girl Behind the Blog
I’m Jess, the creator of Oak & Grain. A mid-west girl at heart who now resides in Raleigh, NC. I love finding old things and giving them new purpose by way of refinishing or incorporating unexpected, overlooked thrift store finds in the modern home. I work full-time in medicine and I love dipping into my creative side and in the process, keeping my sanity. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube to see more behind the scenes action.