Another question: is the top shelf strong enough to hold all my cookbooks, or will the metal bend?
1808411
I have put several things on the top. I have a plant on it now. No signs of any metal buckling.
1808412
It would hold it. I don't think it would bend, it is pretty sturdy. But the shelf is not solid. It is just strips of metal so the corners of the books might catch or sink though the wholes between the slats. I have a serving tray I sit on the top rack to hold a vase, since the vase would tilt if it slid into the slot. Of course if the boom takes up the whole width you might not have a problem.
1734904
Yes. It will hold most cooking utensils as long as they are tall enough to rest against the metal stand. I am very satisfied with this item.
1979705
The top shelf tends to bend with the weight of 3 pairs of shoes and might make the side boards bend inwards without the middle shelf making the sides straight. I ended up buying 2 units and removed the top shelf of one and put the other complete one on top of that. Either way, I don't put too much because of the shelf bending from the weight. Hope this helps.
421226
Since the shelves are glass, I would be careful about putting a LOT of weight on it - but it is definitely sturdy enough to hold a few books, but I would not use it to load the full shelf necessarily.
378428
I have this shelf in my kitchen with cooking, gardening, and nutritional books which weight more than 10 lbs. per shelf. I believe it will be OK.
137890
I would caution about overloading. Yes, it is sturdy, but that is greatly affected by the total weight you place on it. I have two of these. I believe if every shelf was fully loaded with books and someone gave it a good shove from the side, it would collapse sideways, tearing itself apart. You notice that illustrations show it empty or with the fabric drawers. the manufacturer intended it for medium to lightweight storage, not as a bookshelf. It might hold the weight well for a while, then fail when additional stress is added. This unit is made from wood particles pressed together with glue, then covered with a pretty coating. It does not have the strength of solid wood.
23362
Mine is loaded with big cookbooks. Be aware that the top shelves are not deep.
2133260
It's very sturdy. I have books on the bottom shelf, three containers filled with DVDs on the second shelf, and I use the top shelf for items I want to display (ceramics, crystal, etc.). It's not wobbly and even when I tug on it to see if it'll tip it doesn't move.
1296297
You might be better off with a desktop lecturn. This stand may not last if you are using it daily for thick and heavy books. But for the DIY handy person, it is possible to reinforce this stand to accomodate big and heavy books. I do not know the maximum weight it can hold. I have a cookbook that weighs 6lbs 5oz and it holds it up just fine.
829874
I would say yes, it probably is sturdy enough for books, but not ideal. It has no back on it & the top shelf is quite narrow, but it is pretty sturdy. I am only using it for towels & decorative items in my bathroom. It's perfect for that.
1803635
Yes. I have many hardback books on this shelf, but one of the shelves seems to be curving a little over time. But it still holds strong.
1571005
The top shelf is aluminum and it is VERY slippery. I almost lost my Weber Smokey Joe off the shelf. I now use one of those non-stick silicone baking mats to give it some gripping capability. As noted in the reviews, the lower side shelves are susceptible to warpage and peeling if gotten wet, unless you've put some sealer on them.
143153
I have 2 of these shelf units and both are full of books. They are really strong and of course since the shelf itself is made of glass, there is no sagging. (The glass is really thick)
2162245
We put a Cuisenart and a Juicman on one, and a toaster oven on the other.For heavy books or over, say, 25 pounds, it might be shakey, unless attached to the wall.The shelves are 3/8" pressboard, so it's not meant for heavy-duty garage work, but more like kitchen shelf extras, or light books and student decoration.But in a corner, it does look quite nice, just like this picture you see. We're happy with it.
995021
I believe it would be sturdy enough. We have a microwave on the lower shelf and a Keurig with a "Keurig carousel" on the top. The cabinet doesn't budge when we use either appliance.
1258122
The shelves help stabilize the rack. I wouldn't risk ii, especially if you are placing heavy items on the top shelf.
32299
I guess it would depend on the height of the table or countertop the holder is on. However, on a standard countertop height, I do not have to bend down to view my cook books. I think the angle is very optimal for me. Keep in mind, I am only 5' 4".