The Story of the Baker’s Rack

Baker’s Racks is one of the pieces of furniture that has a long history of being a part of the home. From the early 17th century to the present, they have been used as cooling racks or sideboards to store items.

Here recently they are bringing back the favor of decorating your home with old world charm.

In the past, old world bakers used these racks to cool breads, and they eventually made their way into the home. Often made of steel or iron, they were used to cool the large trays of baked goods as they came out of the ovens. In old-world neighborhoods, these shelves would find their way to the street, where residents could preview what baked goods were available. One of the benefits of using these baker racks for cooling is that they allowed the cooling process to be evenly distributed so that the baked goods maintained their integrity.

A variation was added where a cabin replaced some of the top shelves that allowed for storage. As they migrated into the home, bakery racks became much more decorative and became an accent piece of furniture. They began by being made of wood and wrought iron. Some added cabinets on top or cabinets on the bottom creating a storage solution as well as a wonderful way to allow homemade baked goods to cool and cure.

Baker’s shelves in the 21st century cannot be used as before. They have brought back fashion in a way as an accent piece. Most do not use the rack to cool cakes or homemade bread. Instead, they have become a way to display collections of books, plants, and knick-knacks. In many cases, the plain steel shelf now becomes ornate and decorative. Some are simple and understated, adding a quiet class to a room’s sense of class.

Overall, most people who purchase baker racks find that it really does add some charm and class to their home. When looking for one, decide what you would like to achieve, storage design, or both. That will help you choose the best one for you. But no matter what you choose, it’s a great way to decorate and organize at the same time.