Shelf Life

 

There's little in the world of storage that is as useful as shelving.  Perfect for books, ornaments, filing, music, nik naks, the addition of a few baskets or boxes practically turns shelves into cupboards.  Shelves are not too easy to put up though, even for seasoned handy men, what with getting angles and alignments straight etc., so we liked these ideas from housetohome.co.uk for making the most of shelving that comes in the form of book cases or shelf units. 

 

Place three open shelf units flush to the wall to create the look of built-in storage that doesn't dominate the room - and requires no DIY.

 

How to choose the right unit

 

* Allow 3cm to 5cm space above books so you can easily pull them out.

* For accessibility, go for units no higher than 21cm, with the top shelf at 180cm.

* Shelves should be 30cm wide to fit larger books and 20cm for paperbacks, CDs and DVDs. Leave 25cm to 30cm between each shelf.

* Hardback books are heavy, so need sturdy shelves. Slim shelves are only suitable for lighter paperbacks and ornaments.

Stylist's tip

 

Keep the wall colour light to contrast with dark shelving and provide a backdrop for ornaments.

 

Eco Chic's shelving is intended to be used as feature shelving, thus not ideal for this kind of treatment.  We do, however, have some lovely baskets and boxes that can add storage and individuality to any shelf or unit.