Shelves in the living space - how to choose the perfect solution?

Furniture with shelves and various types of storage compartments is a fundamental element of interior design. Without them, an apartment would be utterly chaotic. Shelves store, display, and organize all the objects we surround ourselves with. They make a space more functional. How to choose the perfect shelving unit? We encourage you to read on!

Why is it worth considering carefully when choosing a shelf?

A shelving arrangement offers numerous storage options for various items – books, binders, souvenirs, electronic gadgets, and designer decorations. Before purchasing the right piece of furniture, it's worth carefully considering its intended function. In a child's room, it can organize toys, in a living room, it can showcase stylish accessories, and in an office, it can hold documents, office supplies, diplomas, and so on. Tailor the shelving unit to your needs, ensuring it complements the overall aesthetic of the décor.

Types of shelves - which one will work best in your interior?

Shelves come in a variety of forms. A stepped model will simplify the arrangement of a room with a sloped ceiling, while an openwork one works perfectly as a lightweight partition, providing a practical alternative to a partition. This type of furniture often features not only open shelves but also an additional drawer, a closed cabinet, or striking glass panels.

There are also freestanding and hanging shelves, tall or short, available in a variety of colors. Another noteworthy option is the modular shelving system. This solution allows you to expand your storage space as your collection of books or other knick-knacks grows.

When should you focus on lightness and when on capacity?

Lightweight shelving units, such as the ROME model without side walls, are perfect for arranging a small room. They can function as a flower stand, showcasing green potted plants. Models made of wood, rattan, or wicker will adorn a cozy living room, bedroom, or conservatory.

Shelves in the living space - how to choose the perfect solution?

A lightweight shelf without a back wall will symbolically separate functional areas in the apartment, such as a living room from a dining area. It will also make it easier to divide a siblings' room into two, providing the youngest members of the household with a bit of privacy.

A larger shelf with more shelves will undoubtedly be a good solution for an office, living room, or anywhere else requiring more storage space. All office accessories, magazines, and books are then at your fingertips. You'll easily find what you're looking for. A more substantial piece of furniture is an essential piece of equipment for a home workshop, pantry, or closet.

This type of furniture is incredibly versatile and easy to arrange. You can fit it into any home or office setting. It guarantees comfort and makes it easier to keep the room tidy.

The function of the shelf and its location

Optimally positioning a shelving unit will allow you to enhance the functionality of your interior – improving its proportions, separating one area from another, or expanding existing furniture. This practical model will also be useful in the bathroom, kitchen, or hallway. Equipped with attractive containers and baskets, it can store various bathroom accessories, towels, kitchen knick-knacks, hats, gloves, and small accessories.

Living room shelf - display and decoration

This is one of the most versatile pieces of living room furniture. You can arrange it however you like. A living room shelf will complement the décor of a media wall in a lounge area, be perfect for displaying stylish accessories, create a family photo gallery, or store travel souvenirs. It's worth equipping open shelves with energy-efficient LED lighting, which will additionally illuminate an elegant vase, valuable volumes, or a collection of figurines.

Elegant shelving units are a decorative element in themselves. The CARA 11 model in oak will create a cozy atmosphere. It's perfect for designs inspired by nature. Tall yet narrow, it fits in a small space, an unused alcove, or a corner. Want to visually lighten a small space? Choose A not-so-deep hanging shelf in a light color. White, gray, or a fashionable shade of cashmere will add a touch of lightness and brightness to the room.

Many book lovers dream of having their own personal library. It's no secret that beautifully bound volumes add charm to a room. You can opt for a single bookcase or a system of interconnected shelves that take up an entire wall or corner of the room. Spotlights will highlight favorite books, while illuminated objects brought back from distant travels will catch the eye of guests. So if you're planning a home library, check out our inspiration!

Bedroom shelf - subdued, practical

A lightweight bookcase in a neutral color that complements the interior design is ideal for a bedroom. For example, the incredibly subtle HARMONY HR02 model in a beautiful shade of cashmere. It features a spacious drawer at the bottom. The tall legs add a touch of lightness, as do the rounded edges. This bookcase will look great in both a bedroom and a child's room. Made of high-quality laminated furniture board, it will last for years in pristine condition. We encourage you to explore other pieces from the HARMONY collection.

A shelf for the kitchen or hallway - organization and aesthetics

Kitchen shelving offers additional storage space. Open shelves allow you to display decorative food containers, a rotating spice rack, a cookbook, a decorative box with your favorite recipes, a wine rack, or a coffee set. This furniture piece allows you to organize your space even more effectively, keeping everything within easy reach.

What to look for when choosing a kitchen shelf? Primarily, it should complement the room's décor, including the kitchen cabinets, flooring color, and accessories. The same principle applies to selecting the right model for the hallway. Carefully check the dimensions of the furniture. In a tight, often narrow, entryway, a not-so-deep shelf is useful, allowing for easy access to the interior. Textile boxes with handles are ideal for storing essential items (e.g., hats, umbrellas, leashes, and dog collars).

Shelves as partitions (e.g. in a studio apartment)

An elegant open shelving unit, placed between the kitchenette and dining area, will symbolically separate the two areas. With this type of furniture, you can instantly create a functional zone where you can set up a home office, a library, a lounge area, or even a bedroom. This solution works perfectly in small apartments, where you usually have one larger room.

When using a shelf as a partition, make sure the chosen piece of furniture doesn't block access to daylight. You can opt for an openwork shelf, which not only serves a decorative purpose but also provides optimal lighting for the entire room.

Style and material - how to match a shelf to the interior design?

A loft, Scandi, or perhaps boho-style shelf? At Furnitop.co.uk, you'll find a huge selection of models reflecting the latest interior design trends. When choosing the perfect piece, pay attention to its color, shape, finish, and material.

Materials: wood, MDF, metal, glass - what suits which style?

A modern shelf with a metal frame will perfectly complement an industrial or soft loft décor. Metal complements typical loft aesthetics – exposed brick walls, a raw concrete-colored floor, and exposed plumbing fixtures. Rustic, boho, and Japandi designs, on the other hand, are best served by simple furniture in a natural wood shade, which will create a cozy atmosphere.

Functional shelving units made of high-quality MDF are available in a variety of colors and shades. ABS edging provides additional protection against mechanical damage. This material is resistant to damage, stains, moisture, and UV radiation. Unlike solid wood, it does not require regular maintenance and is significantly less expensive. Laminated board shelving units come in a variety of forms, ranging from strikingly ornate to minimalistic. This allows them to fit into a wide variety of interior design styles.

Shelves with glass inserts, either shelves or glass fronts, look particularly impressive. They give the furniture a light appearance, and combined with subtle LED lighting, they create an interesting visual effect. This is an ideal option for a modern living room or other room in the home.

Color, shape, proportions - what should you remember when buying?

A light-colored shelving unit will work perfectly in a small office or children's room, visually lightening the space and providing a perfect backdrop for knick-knacks displayed on the shelves. Depending on the specifics of the interior, choose a model of appropriate size. An interesting solution is to position a low piece of furniture so that the back of the shelving unit touches the back of a sofa placed in the center of the living area. This allows you to conceptually divide the space into distinct areas: a seating area and, for example, a dining area. You can tweak the room's proportions by arranging the furniture.

Wood-toned shelves are a welcome addition to interiors inspired by eco, boho, Japandi, Scandi, or farmhouse styles. They add a natural feel and warmth, and complement other finishing materials perfectly.

Height, depth, shelf layout - adapted to the content and ergonomics

When buying a shelving unit for your home, you should first determine what type of items will be stored there. For a home library, a 30 cm deep unit with more shelves is perfectly adequate. However, for displaying Lego constructions, ship models, or other objects, a deeper, backlit unit is much better. Smaller compartments can be used to organize small items, and behind the glass front, you can display valuable tableware or family heirlooms. Before purchasing a shelving unit, carefully check the dimensions of the shelves and cabinets.

One option for the office is the versatile MALTIS MT10 shelving unit. This unit measures 190 cm high, just under 80 cm wide, and 42 cm deep. It can easily accommodate binders, folders, magazines, and even containers for storing office accessories.

A shelf as a styling element - how to arrange it?

This stylish shelf will complement a TV wall, dining room, kitchen, youth room, and more. A smaller model will be a practical addition to a bathroom or hallway. In a living room, it's meant to be decorative, so it's worth equipping the shelves with LED lighting and adding some greenery in the form of potted plants, a bouquet of flowers, and accessories that complement the room's décor.

A metal or wooden shelf is useful in a pantry, workshop, or closet. It will streamline daily work and help keep things organized.

The 60/30/10 rule, rhythm and visual breath - shelf composition

The 60/30/10 rule is a key guide when planning interior color schemes. A room should be designed using three base colors in proportions of 60% (main color), 30% (complementary color), and 10% (accent color). This rule applies to the selection of wall paint, flooring, furniture, and accessories. It adds character to the design while remaining cohesive. An example would be beige walls paired with darker wood floors and contrasting furniture.

The COLLAR shelving unit, combining cashmere and walnut, will look stunning in a modern living room. It features subtly rounded edges, tall metal legs, and enclosed shelves. The piece will look stunning against a beige wall, complemented by lush green potted plants.

When choosing a shelving unit for your home, consider the style, dimensions that best suit the contents being stored, and the layout of the shelves and compartments. You'll find a huge selection of living room, office, children's, and youth shelving units at Furnitop.co.uk!