Storing a Stack of Briefcases

November 10, 2021 8:32 AM

I need to provide attractive-looking storage for a large set (~20 or more) of old-fashioned, hard-sided briefcases. It needs to be inexpensive and open/readily accessible. How would you store these?
posted by shadygrove to Work & Money (12 answers total)

It depends on what you are storing them for, and where you are storing them. Without that information, I would say on a Metro style metal shelf. You can arrange the height of the shelf to accommodate the brief cases, and they will be out in the open to access. You can also find covers for these types of shelves in case you want that option.
posted by momochan at 8:44 AM on November 10, 2021

Depending on the dimensions, I imagine one of those cube storage shelves (the prototypical one being the Kallax from Ikea) would do the trick if wire shelves don't meet the attractiveness requirements.
posted by hoyland at 9:09 AM on November 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

I've been trying to find a picture I saw a couple of years back on some interior design site (?) that had a set of custom wooden shelves built at the end of a narrow room. Vintage suitcases were stacked horizontally, so you could pull them out as needed, and the shelf width was the same as the suitcases. I'm fairly sure that each suitcase had its own shelf, the exact height needed to fit the suitcase, with trunks at the bottom.

Custom shelving is overkill, perhaps, but the idea of getting some sort of shelving where you can fix the height and width as necessary, arranging them like that, one case per shelf, would make them easily accessible. If I find the article/image I'll post it.
posted by telophase at 9:13 AM on November 10, 2021

Ikea's IVAR system has solved almost all my "cheap but attractive" open storage conundrums — it's adjustable, modular, and paintable/stainable. The 33"x20" shelf size would probably fit most briefcase-sized objects, either one shelf per briefcase lying flat handles-forward, or a few briefcases per shelf upright and longways.
posted by fifthpocket at 9:14 AM on November 10, 2021

(re: my above comment) It was not this image--much more modern than this, but you can get the general idea.
posted by telophase at 9:15 AM on November 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

"attractive-looking" depends on how the room is decorated. Is it gov't offices; c-suite; museum?

Maybe a couple of these wire mesh cubes?
posted by at at 1:36 PM on November 10, 2021

Are they going to have heavy stuff in them, when people take one is it going to matter which one they take?
posted by clew at 2:06 PM on November 10, 2021

I have a couple of thoughts. You can set up Elfa standards with freestanding feet, and then the world is your oyster. You've got a lot of options for shelving, and of course you can get the shelf spacing exactly right. This wouldn't be the cheapest option but it would look smart and be reconfigurable.

Another more utilitarian option would be a bun rack with baking sheets (or you could cut sheet stock to fit). Also not the cheapest, it has the benefit of being on casters, super-sturdy, and food-safe (not that that matters). Amazon probably isn't the cheapest place to get one of these--if there's a restaurant supply place in your area, check there.
posted by adamrice at 2:48 PM on November 10, 2021

this collection of montessori school furniture has some cubby shelves that could look cool .
posted by wowenthusiast at 3:14 PM on November 10, 2021

I think you will need some kind of shelving system, but the first consideration is do you want to stack them vertically ||| or horizontally _ _ _
There are pros and cons to each option: how high you can stack, ease of access, will cases start falling over when you remove half of them from a shelf.
posted by Lanark at 3:17 PM on November 10, 2021

Pantry cabinets with a bunch of shelves, or two to a shelf, but not so many per shelf that you have balance and sliding problems.
posted by rhizome at 5:09 PM on November 10, 2021

The look of built-ins with a wood case and pull out drawers combining these 2 ideas.
https://www.homedit.com/creative-suitcase-drawers-by-james-plumb/
https://www.ana-white.com/community-projects/pull-out-shelves/

I'd also line any drawer type solution with velvet or a plush felt to protect each case from scratches when it is pulled out or placed back.
posted by gardenkatz at 9:22 AM on November 11, 2021