I would have a look at the kallax series from Ikea. You can buy the display unit and then add drawers, wine rack etc to personalise or make cupboards etc yourself. The display unit is between £85-120 depending on size. I'm sure this would be cheaper than making it from scratch yourself. Ive never bought anything from ikea but as you put it together yourself I am sure you may be able to miss out a couple of shelves to personalise it. Designers have also used things like old wine crates etc to create a display unit but I'm not sure this is the look you're after.

Minnie101 - thank you, I just looked it up and it would have all too perfect. I have a small confession though, I forgot to mention I have a small TV (wider than the unit's columns) that needs to squeeze in somewhere.... Love the idea of crates though. Have you ever tried? Perhaps I could paint them...

Liv - That sounds amazing, I'm finding it hard to track the company down though...

I think something like this could look cool:

Another option - which I've seen on Kirsty's free home programme, is getting a load of storage furniture at say an auction house (thinking tall retro sideboards, shelving units etc and stack them together and paint all the same colour so they look like one unit.

That unit you like has pieces that are deeper so it could totally work. Be happy chopping off legs of sideboards and cutting down taller units where necessary. It's all wood so you can screw them together, and even spray paint them if you want a gloss finish.

Oh and it's a lot cheaper than buying fake wood stuff! Lol

Love that idea Clare!
Thank you Tani, that's a genius idea. I'd just have to track down an auction house, but I'm sure there are plenty to choose from in London!

Hi Pavinia. Just be careful if you need this to act as a tv cabinet as the furniture will either have to be very sturdy or attached to the wall (or so I would assume anyway!)

You're right Minnie. Perhaps something like this would be a better option...?

Hi Pavinia, I think that this whole shelving unit is a great idea. I like the idea of possibly using wine cases too - rustic yet chic. I also read in TImeOut today that there is a safety rule that scaffolding planks can only be two years old, then they have to get rid of them and get new ones. So you can buy them cheaply for about £3 each! It is then super easy to make your own shelves with theses and you can design and paint etc as you wish! I think I might have to try this in my own house.....!

Hi Courtenay, how interesting, next question is where to buy these £3 scaffolding boards - do you think you can online, or perhaps at a scrap yard...?

Also, how easy do you think it would be to erect one of these structures?

Hi Pavinia,

I feel your pain! We had a similar problem at home, until my wonderful husband had the idea of nailing together some old market crates (the type used for fruit & veg) - a bit like what Courtenay Moon suggested! We sanded them down to get rid of any splinters and then painted them. They look similar to the picture I've attached. I wish I could remember where we got the crates from, but I'm sure there must be lots knocking round at farmers' markets around your home town! I realise this doesn't solve the television problem, but maybe you could think about using old pallets - you can often get those at builders' yards.

Good luck with your project! I'm sure it will look super

Grace, I was about to suggest something similar, but lovely to see how yours looks in practice. I'd also consider a very minimal shelving system, like String, that has such a light and airy feel. I believe there is a similar range from 'That Swedish Store', but these options are all wall fixed, so you'll need to be handy with a filler knife when you move on. The Besta range there does allow for free-standing models with feet or casters for a contemporary twist.