Overshelves and Undershelves

Overshelves and undershelves are the stainless-steel shelving that mounts above and below a commercial bench to add storage without taking up extra floor space. This range covers single- and double-tier overshelves that sit over a workbench, plus undershelves that bolt beneath it — the simplest way to lift gear off the bench top and keep a tight prep line organised. Most operators fit them alongside a stainless steel bench, so it's worth sizing the two together.

Who under-bench shelving and overshelves are for

If your bench is cluttered and your kitchen has no room to grow sideways, you build upward and downward. Cafés and small kitchens use an overshelf to park plates, dockets, containers and small appliances at eye level so the bench top stays clear for prep. Busy production kitchens run undershelving to store pots, trays and dry stock within reach of the line. Caterers and food trucks lean on both because every centimetre of bench has to work twice. It's bench storage that earns its keep through a full service.

What's in scope

Single-tier overshelves

One shelf mounted above the bench on uprights — the everyday choice for holding plates, condiments and dockets clear of the work surface. Depths commonly run from around 300mm for a slim profile up to 400mm where you need more landing room.

Double-tier overshelves

Two stacked shelves over the bench for venues that need to store more in the same footprint — useful above a plating or pass area where staff stage multiple lines at once.

Undershelves

Shelving fitted beneath the bench to use the dead space under the work surface for pots, trays and bulk stock. Many commercial kitchen benches ship with an undershelf already, but a dedicated under-bench shelf adds capacity where you need it.

Wall-mounted vs bench-mounted

Overshelves either bolt to uprights that stand on the bench (bench-mounted) or fix straight to the wall above it (wall-mounted). Bench-mounted units move with the bench and need no wall fixing; wall-mounted shelves keep the bench top completely clear but rely on a solid wall and proper anchors. Where the product page states a steel grade, you'll see 304 (the higher-corrosion-resistance grade favoured for wet and wash areas) or 430 — check the individual listing rather than assuming.

How to choose under-bench shelving in three steps

Getting the right shelf comes down to three questions, in order.

Step 1 — Match the span to your bench

Measure the length of the bench the shelf will sit over or under, and pick a shelf sized to that span so it lines up cleanly. A shelf that overhangs or falls short looks unfinished and wastes the run, so start with the bench dimension on the listing.

Step 2 — Decide single or double tier

One tier suits most café and bar benches where you just need plates and dockets up off the surface. Step up to a double tier when you're storing more in a fixed footprint — a plating pass or a tight production kitchen where vertical space is the only space you have.

Step 3 — Choose the mounting

Pick bench-mounted if you want a self-contained unit that moves with the bench and needs no wall work. Choose wall-mounted to keep the bench top fully clear, and confirm you have a solid wall and the right fixings behind it before you commit. Check the depth too — a deeper shelf holds more but reaches further into your headroom over the bench.

For the bigger picture on how shelving fits a stainless workflow, our guide to the five types of stainless steel benches and how to use them is a good place to start before you settle on a layout.

Popular picks: two solid starting points are the Modular Systems double-tier 400mm-deep workbench overshelf when you want maximum storage over a pass, and the Modular Systems 304-grade single-tier overshelf in a slim 300mm depth for a café bench where space is tight. Fitting out a wash area? Pair shelving with our dishwasher inlet sinks and outlet benches.

Frequently asked questions

What is an overshelf?

An overshelf is a stainless-steel shelf mounted above a commercial workbench on uprights or wall brackets. It lifts plates, dockets, containers and small appliances off the bench top so the work surface stays clear for prep, adding storage without using any extra floor space.

What is the difference between an overshelf and an undershelf?

An overshelf sits above the bench to store items at eye level and keep the bench top clear; an undershelf fits beneath the bench to use the otherwise dead space under the work surface for pots, trays and bulk stock. Many kitchens fit both to a single bench to get storage above and below the same footprint.

What is under bench shelving used for?

Under bench shelving turns the empty space beneath a commercial bench into storage for pots, trays, containers and dry goods, keeping them within reach of the prep line. It's the most space-efficient way to add capacity in a kitchen that has no room to expand sideways.

Should I choose a wall-mounted or bench-mounted overshelf?

Choose a bench-mounted overshelf if you want a self-contained unit that moves with the bench and needs no wall fixing. Choose a wall-mounted overshelf to keep the bench top completely clear, but only where you have a solid wall and the correct anchors to take the load safely.

What stainless steel grade are overshelves and undershelves made from?

It depends on the model. Some listings specify 304-grade stainless, which offers higher corrosion resistance and suits wet and wash areas, while others use 430. The grade is noted on the individual product page where the manufacturer states it, so check the listing for the unit you're considering rather than assuming.

How do I size an overshelf to my bench?

Measure the length of the bench the shelf will sit over and pick a shelf sized to that span so it aligns cleanly without overhanging or falling short. Then check the shelf depth against the headroom and reach you want over the bench — a deeper shelf holds more but extends further into your working space.

Do you deliver shelving across Australia?

Yes. Commercial Kitchen Store ships nationwide, and our Australian-based team is on 1300 111 901 if you'd like help matching a shelf to your bench. For cover details, see our warranty and service information.