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Your Guide to Buying Shelving for the Home
The right shelving can finish the look and show off your favorite decorative pieces. It adds height to a room, drawing the eye upward. Shelving can also act as storage space, especially if you add doors or bins. There's a lot that shelving can do for a room. This shelving buying guide shows you how to find the right shelving for your home.
Types of Shelving
Shelving comes in many styles, with some suited to larger spaces and others better for smaller rooms or apartment settings. The type of shelving should also match the theme and existing decor.
Bracketed Shelving
Featuring L-shaped brackets, these shelves are a traditional type of wall-mounted unit. One arm of the bracket runs vertically below the shelf or above it, with the other arm supporting the shelf's weight.
Best for: nearly any design style, from traditional to farmhouse to contemporary. Brackets come in many styles, so it's easy to match any theme.
Floating Shelves
A more modern shelving type, floating shelves feature hidden wall brackets that make the shelf appear to float on the wall.
Best for: minimalist designs because of the sleeker shape. However, these shelves can work with various themes depending on the material type.
Pegboard Shelves
These shelves feature a backboard covered in evenly spaced holes. Dowels slotted into the holes serve as shelving brackets, with shelves resting on the dowels. The pegboard can extend several feet wide and high, depending on your preference.
Best for: casual design styles. You might like pegboard shelves for rooms that need flexible designs, such as mudrooms, kitchens, or craft rooms.
Freestanding Shelving
Freestanding bookshelves serve as a piece of furniture. The bookcase frame will have two solid sides, along with a solid top and bottom. Whether the back is solid or open depends on the design. Some freestanding units have shelving that runs from side to side. Others have a central divider that allows for shelving on either side, making the unit wider.
Best for: people who don't or can't hang shelves on walls. Taller, narrower units may tip over if too top-heavy, so decor arrangement is essential, and it may be a good idea to tether these units to the wall if possible.
Modular Shelves
Modular shelves are designed for the ultimate flexibility. Some systems feature castor wheels for portability or a cube-like structure. Others have extendable tension rods or vertical brackets that run from floor to ceiling. Regardless of the design, they help you rearrange individual shelves for a custom look.
Best for: modern, contemporary, or industrial design styles. Most modular shelves are made from solid or manufactured wood and have metal bars for support.
Built-In Shelving
If you're looking for permanent shelving, you might like the look of built-in shelves. These shelves add dimension and personality, helping a room feel more homey and luxurious. Unlike freestanding units, built-ins are built into the room's framing to become part of the design. If your room has crown molding, you can add molding to help the shelves blend in.
Best for: many design styles from traditional to contemporary. These shelves also work well in unused corners, under the stairs, and in angular nooks.
Shelving Materials
How do you know which shelving material is best? Here are the most common types.
Solid Wood
These shelves are long-lasting but often require a stain or waterproof coating. Wood shelving can come from softwood or hardwood trees, which affects the appearance and density of the wood.
Manufactured Wood
You can choose from different wood products based on their appearance and overall style suitability. Some manufactured wood types include:
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Particle board
This lightweight product is made from sawdust, wood chips, and wood shavings. It varies in thickness and is best kept away from moisture and humidity.
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Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
MDF is made from wood fibers and tends to have a smooth finish. It has a greater density than particle board and works well for many types of shelves. However, it can be susceptible to warping in high-moisture environments.
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Plywood
This manufactured wood product features a series of thin wood veneers glued together with alternating wood grains. The alternating pattern improves the strength and reduces warping.
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Composite
Composite wood is a mixture of wood fibers and thermoplastic resins. This means the product is part wood and part plastic, improving its water resistance. Higher-quality composite wood retains less of the plastic appearance.
Glass
Glass shelving reflects more natural lighting, making it useful for dark rooms and corners. However, you should place it higher on walls to avoid accidental breakage. Glass shelving is also better for short, narrow shelves.
Metal
Metal is a useful shelving material for more contemporary or industrial design styles. You can find stainless steel and aluminum options, both of which are easy to clean and waterproof. However, metal can be slippery and may not be best for items such as high-priced collectibles.
Elevate Your Design With the Right Shelving
Now that you know your options, it's time to choose the perfect shelving for your home. Whether wall-mounted or freestanding, shelving gives you even more space to display your favorite books and decorative pieces.