12 Stylish Shelving Systems

Embrace clutter-free living with one of these built-in storage solutions; each of them can be put together in various combinations, so you can design one that suits your space perfectly.

By Sarah Baldwin

Buying Guide

Will It Fit?

As with any big item of furniture, you need to make sure it's going to fit the space you have in mind, so measure up before you head off to the shops, taking the tape measure with you. Another huge consideration is will it fit through the doors in your house? Lots of the cheaper shelving units come flat-packed, but some of the more expensive models are delivered whole - so don't be caught out!

Buy Flexible Units

Units with shelves built at different heights will allow you to take a more flexible approach to displaying your items - from vases through to books. Remember this is your chance to really show off your taste and style. Equally, if there are some things you would prefer to hide away, you could go for units that have closed compartments or drawers.

Adapt To Your Space

If you don't have much room, modular units are worth considering because you can build them to fit your exact requirements and, if you move to a bigger place, you can always invest in some extra shelves.

Use Shelves To Divide Space

Some units work brilliantly as room dividers - something to think about if you don't have a suitable wall to rest one against.

Use Wasted Space

Look carefully at where space is being wasted within your home. For example, behind the hinged side of doors, where narrow-depth shelving up to 200mm will accommodate a collection of paperbacks, DVDs and CDs.

Will The Shelves Be Strong Enough?

Consider carefully what to store, not only in terms of size, but weight also. Fixed long shelf lengths can prove difficult when trying to hold heavier books, for instance; more flexible storage systems often have multiple length and depth shelves.

Think Multiple Uses

With more people now working from home, it’s important to think in terms of multiple storage uses. In open-plan spaces, complement your kitchen furniture with living furniture to enhance the feeling of space and reduce harsh zoning.