Shelving units for an amazing living area display

shelving units

Shelving units on your wish list? Our inboxes are full of them, and we’ve chosen our favourites so you can create a gorgeous display. There are complete shelving systems, and also little units in case you only have a few books, magazines and photos to show off.

Shelving units? No problem. These useful designs can house sentimental photos, trinkets and vases, along with books, magazines, vinyl records, DVDs and CDs (that’s if you’re still hanging on to either of the last two!). If you’ve run out of kitchen storage space, you can also use them to display beautiful crockery and glassware. So here are some of the best shelving units out there.

This fantastically luxe design

Firstly, one of our absolute favourites: a shelving unit in whitewashed mango wood with a brass-plated frame. Not only does it look fabulous, but there are five whole shelves full of space to display all your most prized possessions.

shelving units
Laguna shelving unit, £599.99, Atkin & Thyme.
This simple and stylish bookcase

Okay, they say this is a bookcase, but as you can see from the photo, you don’t just have to use it to hold books. You can display candles, perfume bottles and – indeed – decorative pineapples. Or why not use it to hold plants?

cubo white bookcase from dwell
Cubo bookcase in white, £249, Dwell.
This handy room divider

Thirdly, this modular shelving system can be configured as a single or an expansive room divider. Featuring timber shelves on black powder-coated metal stands, these shelving units are a chic way to display your belongings.

shelving units
Vertio wall system with four bays, from £4980, King Living.
This adorable little caddy

This sweet little piece of furniture can be used as a bookcase, side table, stool or step. Handmade in England from solid ash, its modern clean lines and tapered sides highlight the timber’s distinctive wood grain.

small bookcase caddy
Caddy, £650, Anden.
This small yet classic bookcase

This bijoux little bookcase is made from pine and composite wood, then painted pure white. Less than a metre tall and wide, it’s 35cm deep so will fit most books. Or you could accessorise it with ornaments and accessories instead.

shelving units
Small Burford Ivory bookcase with three shelves, £229, The Cotswold Company.
This industrial-style media unit

If you’re after something a bit different then this industrial-style oak-effect media unit might be for you. It’s one of a full range of storage units, with a tall display cabinet and shoe cabinet included, so you could collect the set.

industrial effect media sideboard
So’Home industrial-style oak effect media unit in brown, £269, La Redoute.
This cutest of little shelving units

This gorgeous little sideboard on matt black legs is so dreamy. It holds more than you’d think, but as the print above says, ‘less is more’! It features five storage shelves, a grey frame and a solid wood bamboo effect door.

grey and pine sideboard
Rökstorp sideboard in grey and pine, £126, Nöa & Nani.
These sleek and chic bespoke shelving units

If you’re willing to spend a little more, you could invest in these exquisite bespoke shelving units. Pictured in anthracite but also available in many other colours and finishes, they’re made to perfectly fit your space.

shelving units
Bespoke shelving units in anthracite, price on application, Neatsmith.
These beautifully crafted shelving units

Neville Johnson also produce stunning shelving. Here they’ve taken an awkwardly-shaped loft room and made use of the eaves, creating lots of useful storage space. The oak contrasts with the on-trend matt black to great effect.

shelving units
Bespoke shelving units, price on application, Neville Johnson.
This modern bespoke shelving installation

Wren are another company who make bespoke shelving, and this modern design stands out with its clean lines and cuboid form. You can put your most beautiful possessions on display then tidy the rest away in the cupboards.

shelving units
Bespoke shelving units, price on application, Wren Kitchens.
This unique and innovative shelving system

The String shelving system is a Swedish design classic. The versatile modular system can consist of shelves, side panels, cabinetry, a desk and more: put simply, if you want it included in your design, String can probably provide it.

shelving units
String system in ash with white wall and floor panels, from £42, String Furniture.
This very elegant shelving look

Then we have this gorgeous study: as part of their Hania collection, Roundhouse Design created shelving using the styles Urbo and Metro. Painted in a classy and understated Farrow & Ball paint shade, it’s the epitome of elegance.

A study from the Hania collection featuring the styles Urbo and Metro, Roundhouse Design. Painted in the matt lacquer paint shade Purbeck Stone from Farrow & Ball.
… and lastly, this grown-up bespoke shelving installation

Sharps have crafted this unit to fit perfectly into this niche in the wall, and painted it in a similarly sophisticated shade. As it’s bespoke, you can decide on your ideal design, and choose your perfect hardware for the cupboards too.

Want more? Check out our feature on how to style open shelving.

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