Cheap, Sturdy Modular Shelving?

September 15, 2005 5:21 PM

Can anyone recommend some reasonably-priced, reasonably-sturdy modular shelving?

In my office at home I have a closet with a bi-fold door directly behind my computer desk. According to my tape measure the inside of the closet is 7'10" tall, 2' deep and 5'6" wide. I'm currently thinking of this as my computer closet. So all of my computer related items, e.g. cables, pc parts, books, software, etc, are going to go in here.

I would like to get an assortment of cubes (or other shapes) that I can stick in this closet and create a variety of spaces where I can sort this stuff and make it easy to access when needed.

I originally started Googling for closet organizers but quickly realized that wasn't quite the way to go and then started looking at shelving and finally what I can only describe as "modular shelving". A rudimentary form of modular shelving might be the kind you could make with a bunch of hard plastic milk crates like you find in a college dorm room.

I found this Black Stacking Modular Storage Cube Set on the Bed, Bath and Beyond website but I don't think they are nearly sturdy enough for items or any real substance (especially if I start stacking high) and also I'd rather not have a bunch of holes in the bottom of the cubes because I may be putting small objects in there as well.

I think what I'm seeking could be described as functional building blocks for adults. If I could do the whole closet betwen $100-$200 that would be great. If the blocks are pleasing to the eye that would be OK too except I'm not as worried about how they look as much as how well they work.

I think I have access to some good stores, e.g. Container Store, Ikea, in town or at least a few hours drive away and I'd also be willing to buy the right items over the Internet.

Any ideas? Thanks!

posted by dgeiser13 to home & garden (9 comments total)

I bought some stuff from this ebay store. Seems to be decent construction.
posted by flyby22 at 6:09 PM on September 15, 2005

Ikea has what you want. They also have something that'd probably better suit your needs than what you think you want. It'll be a lot cheaper than BBB, too. If I were you, I'd go to the Ikea with a tape measure, leave with shelves.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:56 PM on September 15, 2005

ikea = not solid
posted by corpse at 8:58 PM on September 15, 2005

Ikea has varying degrees of quality in their products. I can't say for sure if they have something to suit your specific needs, but I strongly suggest you look.

I have Ikea wall furniture in my living room. We've moved with it 3 times, it hasn't been harmed at all. Its from their Bondi line, made to look nice. Very configurable in use, less so in dimensions. Its not cheap stuff though, its made to look nice.
posted by Goofyy at 10:01 PM on September 15, 2005

i too like ikea stuff...but look before you buy..some of their stuff is weak..container store is too expensive for me..
posted by flyby22 at 3:52 AM on September 16, 2005

Absolute favorite shelves I've ever had, consist of the following:

- twelve pine boxes, each 12" x 12" x 18" open on one of the 12x18 sides only -- stained and varnished

- several 8' long pine boards -- stained and varnished

They work like the dorm room standard milk crate shelves -- it's just boards and boxes -- but are better. With the 18" box length, you can run the shelves through a corner (an "L" shape). They can be done as one stack 6 boxes high, or a double-wide shelf 4 boxes high. Or the boxes themselves are handy little end-tables, when stood on end. At moving time, you don't have to empty the boxes. And they look fairly nice - contemporary appeal. Very adult/mature, compared to milk crate shelves.

So you could either build them yourself or hire it done. Not much skill is required. You need a table saw, a router/router table combo, pipe clamps, and a brad nailer (or good hammering skills and a nail set). Make sure that the boxes have backs on them, inset. Without backs, they'll hot have much strength.
posted by yesster at 6:50 AM on September 16, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

And if you are going to do it yourself you may also look at wooden wine crates from a good wine store in your area. Usually big stores give them away or sell them for a few bucks. You can stain them and sometimes the wine label artwork can look cool too. But then they have to sit flat on the shelved. I use a bunch of them to kpp my computer parts etc. which i do not need to access very often.
posted by flyby22 at 8:04 AM on September 16, 2005

Ikea can be crap construction but they also have very good sturdy things as well. I have metal kitchen-style adjustable racks from them that are indistinguisable from what it at Costco and Home Depot. Except for the price. It doesn't take a master eye to tell the wheat from the chaff.
posted by phearlez at 8:09 AM on September 16, 2005

I recommend The Container Store's line of Elfa systems. We 'did our pantry' in Elfa and it looked great, was easy to install and ingenious in its design. Very flexible, sturdy like a rock and nice to look at.
posted by DandyRandy at 8:40 AM on September 16, 2005