First and foremost, you might be asking yourself, “What is a corbel?” You’ve probably seen dozens of corbel ideas in design magazines and shows, but you may not have known that’s what they’re called. A corbel is a large, usually ornate, wall bracket used to support the ceiling, a shelf, molding, or another architectural feature. These large but lovely design features have recently become very coveted for architectural salvage projects.
37 Gorgeous Corbel Ideas that will Add a Unique Touch to Your Home
The majority of corbels being repurposed as décor are made of wood, though plaster and stone examples are also out there. The most popular styles feature heavy Victorian scrollwork or sinuous Art Nouveau lines. That said, simple Mission style brackets are also gaining in popularity. While these pieces blend effortlessly into shabby chic decors, their distressed finish also makes them ideal for rustic and country aesthetics, and the Mission style pieces are well-suited for modern interiors.
If you’d like to make a big impact in areas that are often overlooked, then corbels offer a lot of eye appeal. Our gallery of corbel ideas gives you more than three dozen ways to elevate your interior design game by using corbels with shelves, islands, mantels, and lighting. If you’re dying to borrow from the best of the architectural salvage craze, then open your home to the upcycled beauty of repurposed corbels.
2. Wall-Mounted Molding as a Frame
3. French Renaissance Corbel Statement Shelf
4. Single Antique Bracket Plant Stand
5. Victorian Corbel Ideas for Kitchen Islands
6. Simple Corner Molding Cabinet Detail
7. Repurposed Distressed Wood Corbel Candleholder
8. Reclaimed Wood and Scroll Range Hood
9. A Wall’s Worth of Salvage
10. Elegant Architectural Hanging Side Table
11. How to Pretty Up Your Mailbox
12. Scrolled Wood Light Fixture Concept
13. Warm Wood Corbel-Supported Fireplace Mantel
14. White on White on White Storage
15. Frame Your Doorway with Colored Corbels
16. Architectural Salvage Headboard Idea with Shelving
17. From Ceiling to Floor Potting Table Project
18. Classic Cottage Entryway Fretwork Corners
19. Old World Elegance with Distressed Over-Door Display
20. Inverted Wooden Finial Island Upgrade
21. Easy One Piece Repurposed Nightstand
22. Vintage Inspired Interior Corbel Ideas
23. Pretty Country Corner Design with Shabby Brackets
24. Picture Perfect with a Dimensional Stairway Arch
25. Simple Mission Style Industrial Lighting
26. Antique Wall Brackets as Bookends
27. Corbel and Drawers Novelty Shelf
28. Great Expectations Inspired Urn Display
29. Fitting Old Corbels into New Frames
30. Ideas for Corbels Big and Small
31. Instant Shelf with Corbels and Board
32. A Black and White Kitchen Color Scheme
33. A Little Bit of This and That
34. Simple Bedside Lamp and Book Shelf
35. Adding Antique Character to Contemporary Exteriors
36. Farm Fresh Counters for Country Kitchens
37. Exceptional Victorian Architecture for Eaves
