Bakers racks aren't really used much for baking anymore. Instead, they have escaped the bondage of the kitchen and found their way into every nook and cranny in the home, offering a new lease on life for a piece of furniture that once excelled at only one thing: cooling pies.
Today's bakers racks can still cool a pie or two or three, but the racks come in so many styles and sizes now that they can serve any number of functions, from a cutting board and wine rack to a place to serve appetizers or even tend to a garden.
One of the great things about bakers racks is that they fit into nearly any home décor imaginable. There are, of course, bakers racks that are pure country, but you'll also find them in Mediterranean, rustic, contemporary, modern and traditional styles. Not only do they come in different styles, but different shapes, too. While the traditional bakers racks are tall and about three feet wide, you can find racks today that are much later or ones which fit nicely into a corner, making use of this often wasted space.
Here are some of the many styles of racks you can choose from for your home.
Country: This is the most traditional look for bakers racks and they can will look right at home in a country kitchen. In fact, they will really drive home the theme of the room, since a rack conjures up a simpler time when pies were regularly on the menu in American homes.
Mediterranean: This will work nicely in an informal or formal kitchen. Sophisticated in appearance, if is characterized by soft curves and decorative elements, done up in colors such as red, dark green, honey, ivory or black.
Rustic: This is a very popular style these days. The surfaces of these baker racks are artificially distressed to give them a look of being older, much like a family heirloom. The paint is crackled in appearance and it may even have a few nicks and dents. It will look great in a country, French or even a shabby chic decorated room.
Transitional: This is a fairly broad character. Bakers racks that are transitional can have wrought iron features, or be made of pine or oak. They look great with a traditional or contemporary room.
Modern: Who says these racks can't work with a modern design? You can find bakers racks that match the Modernist approach as well. These feature extremely simple lines and may use aluminum or steel as well as glass as design elements.
When shopping for bakers racks, bear in mind that the best selection may just be online. While you may happen on racks in furniture stores, the selection may be extremely limited, or perhaps, non-existent. But online retailers have an endless selection in all styles, materials, colors and price points. Bakers racks run anywhere from 0 and up, depending on the materials, manufacturer and features. Many offer variations on the theme, adding such thoughtful touches as a built in wine rack, a drawer for storing cheese knives and napkins or have doored units below so you can store your favorite household items or seasonal cookware. In fact, these doored units are great for keeping your favorite pie pans and baking items, just in case the mood hits you and you want to tap out a few pies for dinner.
But don't be too surprised if you find your bakers racks making their way into other rooms in your home. They work well in a guest room to display knickknacks or in the master to serve as a dressing area. Outdoors, they are terrific in the garden, replacing the traditional and often boring garden center with a more delicate, lovely place to tend to your flowers and plants.
