How to Gain More Storage With Shelves in Unusual Places
In need of more storage? Here are some creative ways to slot in extra shelves
Becky Clarke
24 June 2016
As well as being a Houzz UK and Ireland contributor, I have been involved in creating beautiful homes and interiors for 15 years. A regular contributor to the UK's top interiors magazines with room makeovers, practical and inspirational guides and furniture upcycle projects I love to work out all the wonderful ways to make our homes even better than we dreamed. My website is www.beckyclarke.com and my blog is https://beckyclarkeinteriors.wordpress.com follow me on twitter: @diydivachick
As well as being a Houzz UK and Ireland contributor, I have been involved in creating... More
Having dedicated places to store and display your possessions is key to a tidy, practical and beautiful home. There are often areas around a house that could work a bit harder with the addition of one or more shelves. Here’s a selection of ideas to try that you might not have considered.
Keep it simple
A single, slim shelf hung above a basin not only looks attractive, it allows you to add personal touches to the room. Make sure the wood is varnished or waxed to protect it from the inevitable water splashes, though.
Always be really careful when drilling into a wall where pipes and electrical cables are likely to be hidden. Run a metal and voltage detector (relatively cheap to buy) over the place you want to put the shelf first to ensure there’ll be no mishaps.
A single, slim shelf hung above a basin not only looks attractive, it allows you to add personal touches to the room. Make sure the wood is varnished or waxed to protect it from the inevitable water splashes, though.
Always be really careful when drilling into a wall where pipes and electrical cables are likely to be hidden. Run a metal and voltage detector (relatively cheap to buy) over the place you want to put the shelf first to ensure there’ll be no mishaps.
Install a stairway to book heaven
We’re used to seeing stair walls left blank or with just a few pictures hung on them. Use the space to its maximum potential by asking a carpenter to add shelving where appropriate – your books and belongings will become an attractive, colourful display.
Make sure you can reach shelves easily and safely. Store decorative or rarely used items on tricky-to-reach shelves, so you’re not balancing precariously on the stairs.
Find more great stairway storage ideas to steal
We’re used to seeing stair walls left blank or with just a few pictures hung on them. Use the space to its maximum potential by asking a carpenter to add shelving where appropriate – your books and belongings will become an attractive, colourful display.
Make sure you can reach shelves easily and safely. Store decorative or rarely used items on tricky-to-reach shelves, so you’re not balancing precariously on the stairs.
Find more great stairway storage ideas to steal
Find a fix for a missing bedside table
Even though it’s pretty small, this tiny ledge next to the bed is enough to hold a book or a glass of water. Mount the shelf high enough so you don’t knock everything off in your sleep and paint it to match the wall, so it blends in seamlessly.
There are plenty of mini wall shelves on the market. Alternatively, cut one yourself from a plank of wood, round the corners so they’re smooth, then fix the shelf on small brackets or a batten.
Even though it’s pretty small, this tiny ledge next to the bed is enough to hold a book or a glass of water. Mount the shelf high enough so you don’t knock everything off in your sleep and paint it to match the wall, so it blends in seamlessly.
There are plenty of mini wall shelves on the market. Alternatively, cut one yourself from a plank of wood, round the corners so they’re smooth, then fix the shelf on small brackets or a batten.
amorybrown.co.uk
Build behind the sofa
A long shelf behind the sofa is a real bonus, as it turns a generally unused area into a useful and decorative space. Pull the sofa forwards a few inches if necessary, then dress the shelf with books, pictures and ornaments.
This example is part of a box casing, but you could use the same idea to fit a simple shelf instead. Cut a piece of 18mm thick timber to the desired length and smooth the cut ends with sandpaper. Use a spirit level to mark the underside level on the wall (position the shelf slightly higher than the back edge of the sofa). Fit brackets to the wall and screw the shelf on top.
A long shelf behind the sofa is a real bonus, as it turns a generally unused area into a useful and decorative space. Pull the sofa forwards a few inches if necessary, then dress the shelf with books, pictures and ornaments.
This example is part of a box casing, but you could use the same idea to fit a simple shelf instead. Cut a piece of 18mm thick timber to the desired length and smooth the cut ends with sandpaper. Use a spirit level to mark the underside level on the wall (position the shelf slightly higher than the back edge of the sofa). Fit brackets to the wall and screw the shelf on top.
Go upwards
You can add a column of invisible bookshelves in even a small space – the sort that slot behind the back cover of a book, meaning that only the books are visible, as if magically suspended. Hang a set behind a door, above a side table or either side of the bed to make use of blank wall space.
Even a solo version of this type of shelf will do a good job of scooping your bedside reading off the floor.
You can add a column of invisible bookshelves in even a small space – the sort that slot behind the back cover of a book, meaning that only the books are visible, as if magically suspended. Hang a set behind a door, above a side table or either side of the bed to make use of blank wall space.
Even a solo version of this type of shelf will do a good job of scooping your bedside reading off the floor.
Exploit an RSJ
If you have an open-plan area with a steel beam – or RSJ – bisecting the space, make the most of it by using it as a shelf, either for small treasures or, if it’s wide enough, for paperbacks, as here. Paint it the same colour as the ceiling for a discreet look, or try a strong shade – like this dramatic black – to make it a feature in itself.
This is a great place to display a precious collection, as there’s little chance of things getting knocked off. If you don’t have a collection yet, start one! Gather something such as pure white vases and crockery, as these look great jumbled together on a shelf. Keep an eye out for pieces in charity shops, as the odd crack won’t matter if they’re up high.
See more inspiring ways to style open kitchen shelves
If you have an open-plan area with a steel beam – or RSJ – bisecting the space, make the most of it by using it as a shelf, either for small treasures or, if it’s wide enough, for paperbacks, as here. Paint it the same colour as the ceiling for a discreet look, or try a strong shade – like this dramatic black – to make it a feature in itself.
This is a great place to display a precious collection, as there’s little chance of things getting knocked off. If you don’t have a collection yet, start one! Gather something such as pure white vases and crockery, as these look great jumbled together on a shelf. Keep an eye out for pieces in charity shops, as the odd crack won’t matter if they’re up high.
See more inspiring ways to style open kitchen shelves
Create a library in the loo
A small cloakroom is often left as a plain box, but by adding shelves you’ll gain the storage space of a small bookcase as well as adding heaps of personality. Make sure your shelves are less than 20cm deep (or recessed into the wall, as here) so they’re perfect for paperbacks but not so deep they stick out into the room too much.
In a small space, screw short battens to the side walls and rest a plank on top; add a central support on longer spans.
A small cloakroom is often left as a plain box, but by adding shelves you’ll gain the storage space of a small bookcase as well as adding heaps of personality. Make sure your shelves are less than 20cm deep (or recessed into the wall, as here) so they’re perfect for paperbacks but not so deep they stick out into the room too much.
In a small space, screw short battens to the side walls and rest a plank on top; add a central support on longer spans.
Look behind the door
Small walls behind doors are generally ignored, with perhaps a piece of furniture popped in place. Try fitting slim shelves – paperback width rather than wider – and even if the door opens inwards, it shouldn’t be obstructed. Go floor to ceiling and you’ll get a huge amount of storage that otherwise would have been wasted.
Small walls behind doors are generally ignored, with perhaps a piece of furniture popped in place. Try fitting slim shelves – paperback width rather than wider – and even if the door opens inwards, it shouldn’t be obstructed. Go floor to ceiling and you’ll get a huge amount of storage that otherwise would have been wasted.
Top hooks with a handy shelf
Wherever you have a row of hooks – in a hall or bathroom, for example –there’s a natural place for a shelf just above it.
In a hall, it’s ideal for baskets of gloves and scarves; in a bathroom, it works brilliantly for those buy-one-get-one-free toiletries awaiting their turn. This is a missed opportunity if you leave the wall bare!
Wherever you have a row of hooks – in a hall or bathroom, for example –there’s a natural place for a shelf just above it.
In a hall, it’s ideal for baskets of gloves and scarves; in a bathroom, it works brilliantly for those buy-one-get-one-free toiletries awaiting their turn. This is a missed opportunity if you leave the wall bare!
Gain storage without it getting in the way
A high-level shelf for rarely used items is a good way to incorporate loads of storage without cluttering up a work area. Keep items in smaller boxes that aren’t too heavy, so they’re easy to lift up and down. Also have a mini stepladder on hand so you’re not standing on a wobbly chair.
Get some quick ideas for creating a craft or study space
TELL US…
What’s the most unusual place you’ve found to site a shelf? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
A high-level shelf for rarely used items is a good way to incorporate loads of storage without cluttering up a work area. Keep items in smaller boxes that aren’t too heavy, so they’re easy to lift up and down. Also have a mini stepladder on hand so you’re not standing on a wobbly chair.
Get some quick ideas for creating a craft or study space
TELL US…
What’s the most unusual place you’ve found to site a shelf? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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Finding extra storage spaces is so satisfying! In this small bathroom we managed to squeeze in a mirrored cabinet above the sink, a recessed shelf at the end of the bath and a very useful shelf above the door.
Whilst all these ideas look good, I just hate the idea of books in a loo. I know it is irrational but paper and wee and smells - yuk.
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