Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with shelves

How to mount an alarm clock with no nightstand or permanent wall damage?

madscientist01 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:42:29 -0800

How can I have my alarm clock near my bed even though there's not enough room for a nightstand and I can't make holes in the wall for shelves? There's a chest of drawers on one side of the bed but it is too tall to reach the alarm clock from on top. The other side of the bed is bordering the wall. Are there shelves without permanent mounting hardware that work? I have a usable wall corner. Maybe a super duper skinny nightstand out there somewhere? Use the headboard somehow?

Knick knack hoarder organization

MaryDellamorte — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:53:41 -0800

Help with affordable storage for a knick knack hoarder. I'm looking for some sort of wall shelfing unit to hold a ton of various knick knacks for under $100. I may be tempted to spend more if something blows my mind. I've come across this which I really like and this, although I would need more than one from the second picture. None of the knick knacks are very big, no more than 5 inches so I'm not looking for book shelves that will have a lot of unused space from where the knick knacks end and the next shelf begins. I've already looked on Ikea and didn't see anything I liked. Or if there is another creative way to store and display my things that I'm not thinking of, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

Should I make a glass ceiling?

TedW — Sun, 24 May 2009 07:26:27 -0800

What should I do with a bunch of glass shelves that I came across? Yesterday I stopped by a store that was winding down its going out of business sale, and I noticed a stack of tempered glass shelving from the display cases. I asked about it and they said "take them, we are just going to throw them in the trash when we close for good in about an hour". That was too good to resist, so I loaded up my trunk with about half the shelves they had stacked up only to get home and find my wife doesn't care for glass shelves (they show up too much dust). So I now have about 30 glass shelves of varying lengths and widths and would like suggestions on what to do with them. Ideas that involve cutting, drilling, or smashing them are perfectly acceptable; for example, a couple of them got chipped on the way home and the nice conchoidal fractures made me think that some of them could be sacrificed for me to teach myself knapping. A few of them may actually end up as shelves, but what are some other suggestions?

Satin latex paint on my bookshelves?

OmieWise — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:25:35 -0800

I have recently put up some wooden shelves (pine shelves on hardwood brackets) in my living room that I will use to hold records and books. I have a new can of white satin-finish latex paint. Can I use the paint on the shelves. (i.e. Will it look decent and not stick to the books and records?) What would be the reasons not to use this paint and instead get some other more appropriate paint? What might that more appropriate paint be? I'm most interested in making a cost-benefit analysis of using this paint that I have, so I don't have to get yet another can of friggin' paint. I want it to look decent, but it does not have to look perfect. If it's an absolutely disastrous idea to use this paint, please say so.

I just want a nice box

like_neon — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:01:04 -0800

I can't believe this is so hard to find. I have this Expedit bookcase from Ikea. I bought some cubes from Ikea to fit on the shelves, but not enough. I bought 7, I need 5 more. I don't want to buy anymore from Ikea but I can't find this type of storage anywhere else in the UK! More specs inside. - I don't want rattan, or wicker, or seagrass or anything like those things. A light wood would be ok if I could stain it.

- Preferably made of some sort of fabric, but not leather because the shelves we have is a dark wood color and I want the boxes to pop out in color.

- Needs to be about 30cm x 30cm to fit well.

- If it's like a cheerful green I would be totally happy but now I'm not even that picky because I can't find anything that fit the first three requirements.

- This is in the UK.

- I don't know if it really matters but I am going to store yarn/wool in them, which are in plastic bags. (moth paranoia) I guess that matters in that I don't really want clear plastic boxes either.

Otherwise, anyone know of tutorials on how to make your own? I don't have a sewing machine but MIGHT be able to borrow one if I get desperate.

Where online can I find a magnificent selection of wall shelves and other screw-in fixtures?

cowbellemoo — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:53:16 -0800

Where online can I find a magnificent selection of wall shelves and other screw-in fixtures? Just wondering if there's a world for this beyond Ikea and Home Depot. I'm particularly interested in wall shelves with invisible mountings and large hook fixtures -- like for hats, scarves, coats, bags, headphones, plants, etc. Modern and clever designs, as well as light DIY projects, welcome.

Does anyone sell spring-loaded shelves?

CunningLinguist — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:50:57 -0800

Does this exist? A shelf that is mounted via pressure. I have a weird alcovy space in my kitchen that would be perfect for a much-needed shelf. I'd rather not have to do any drilling or whatever, and wondered if there was some sort of shelf-equivalent to those curtain rods that stay up through pressure from a spring inside.
I suppose I could buy a bunch of those, stick them up and lay a board across them, but that might be a little wobbly. It seems like an obvious product, except I can't seem to locate one. Can you help?

Extending the shelf life of my linen closet.

Gordion Knott — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:27:59 -0800

Home improvement gurus: I'm planning on installing shelving in my linen closet. What hints can you give me to make this task a roaring success? The closet is 22 1/2" by 37 1/2", and I'd like to install three or four shelves of these dimensions (or close to them) to accommodate lots of towels and sheets.

Problem is, my stud-finding-fu isn't working (nor is my electronic stud finder). Is it possible that there are no 16" on center studs in the closet?

If that's the case, I can secure the shelving to supports along the four corners. I've heard that there are vertical, metal shelving supports that will facilitate this. Do they exist, and will they work for this project?

Also, if you were in my shoes, what type of lumber or plywood would you use for this project?

Shelving in NYC?

cestmoi15 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:48:09 -0800

Floating shelves: Where in NYC? I'm looking for 2 floating shelves 2ft long by 6 inches deep, in NYC, and I'm stumped. Ikea's are too long, West Elm doesn't have them, where else to look? The cheaper, the better.

I need a storage shelf/unit with cubbyholes and matching storage tubs.

joshrholloway — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:56:17 -0800

I'm looking for a storage solution that is essentially a wall of cubbyholes with matching plastic storage tubs/bins that fit snugly and slide in said holes and sit flush with the front of the unit. I think that pretty much describes it. I drew a little picture if you're not understanding. I apologize in advance for not being much of an artist, but here is the illustration.

I don't really have a preference on color or material, but the boxes/tubs/bins need to be a decent size. I know we could probably build something like this on our own, but we'd like a professionally-built, nice-looking solution if we could. If it matters, this is for an IT storage/work area, and of course we would like to keep it as inexpensive as possible. Also, if you have other storage options that you would like to suggest, feel free.

Help me find this shelf!!..

hboogz — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:02:42 -0800

where can i find something similar to this , but a smaller width and a lot cheaper ? didn't really see anything in ikea similar that i could hang horizontally...

I needs me some hooks

dbiedny — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:44:31 -0800

Looking for specific metal hook for shelving unit... I have a metal shelving unit, and it uses hooks like this one to support the shelves (it's a little over an inch long). I'm having zero luck tracking down these hooks, so I'm hoping that the hive mind can steer me to the place where I may acquire more of them. I'm in the NY area, a web-based store would be perfect. Thanks!

Please recommend a wood router for me to purchase.

amtho — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:34:20 -0800

Wood router recommendations sought. I've done a little carpentry, and even made my first mortise and tenon joints a while ago. Now, I really want to make some simple oak (or other hardwood) shelves to hang on the wall, and to put as a small platform on top of an existing wood structure. I want them to have somewhat-interesting edges. I've been thinking about buying a router for years, and now I believe it's finally time.

I don't have a router table, and believe me, I don't have any room for one. This will have to be hand-held, stored on a shelf when not in use. But I'd like to get a router table someday and maybe do some more wood working.

I want something that will let me be precise (more mortise-and-tenon joints are in my future, I think), last a long time, and be comfortable/stable to work with.

I'd be grateful for any serious recommendations of brands/models to seek or avoid.

Also - is using a router going to be really loud?

I live in Chapel Hill, NC, and haven't been too impressed with the guidance available at my local Lowe's/Home Depot.

Thanks.

Looking for funky hooks and shelves to spruce up a hallway.

melodykramer — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:11:37 -0800

I'd like to decorate the hallway in my apartment with funky hooks and shelves like these and these. Like the entire wall. All different. I'm looking for as many funky shelves and hooks as possible. I have tons of books, and I want to display them in as many different ways as possible. I also want to create a wall of hooks, for things like jackets and raincoats and to spruce up the hallway. I've found hooks shaped like darts and hands...do you know of any more? The hallway cannot be boring! Also, the hallway cannot be expensive (I might plaster of paris my own hands, because 77 dollars is a little pricey....)

Ook. Ook Ook Ook.

misha — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:18:49 -0800

I want a set of Discworld bookends for my Terry Pratchett collection. I'm particularly interested in Death, as I already have a gift set with the Librarian and Rincewind. I'm having trouble even finding the bookends online, and shipping directly from the UK would be pretty expensive, as they're heavy (naturally) and I'm in Florida. Where to look? How to get the best deal? Any help from the hive mind would be greatly appreciated!

DIY Filter

t0astie — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:05:32 -0800

Should I paint my untreated pine shelves then assemble? Or assemble then paint? I'm afraid this is one of those questions that anyone with even the smallest bit of home improvement nous will know the answer to.

But, ah, that's not me. I've neither painted nor assembled anything in my life… these shelves (sort of like this) are my very first DIY project.

I'm going to buy some primer and some gloss white paint when I pick them up… I know I have to prime them first, wait for that to dry and then put the gloss coat on.

But I don't know whether I should A) paint all the bits individually, first, before I screw everything together. Or can I B) assemble the shelves and then paint?

B seems like less of a pain – the shelves will be all standing up and I can apply the paint all over in one go. But… I'll be painting over the screws and joins and stuff which, I guess, will make them hard to unscrew. And I might want to do that if I move.

A seems like a good idea… but fiddly.

Help me DIYmefites. Assemble/paint? Or paint/assemble?

How do I install a shelf on poorly-installed drywall?

Braeog — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:27:11 -0800

How do I anchor a heavy-load shelf to a drywall/plaster wall? The trick: there are no studs and a brick wall is directly behind the ~1"-2" thick wall. I have two angle brackets (like here) on which I'm suspending an ~4-foot shelf that will come out about 1 foot from the wall. I previously used plastic drywall anchors with big screws in them. The entire shelf fell out today (the anchors slipped out of the holes) and so I'd like something stronger. But what? The stronger metal drywall anchors depend on a gap behind the wall so they can "catch" the back of the wall. I've just got brick and no studs to provide something stronger to hold onto. Our house is from the 1920s and whomever did renovation did it terribly. I'm thinking I could add L-brackets on the top of the shelf to provide extra support, but I'd still like something stronger attaching the actual brackets to the wall.

Looking For the Perfect... Shelves

incomple — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:36:35 -0800

This is a long shot, but I'm looking to purchase shelving units that match, or at least come very close, to those pictured here It's solid wood construction (I'm not savvy enough to know one wood from another), 24" x 72" x 9", with six non-adjustable shelves each placed twelve inches apart. Nevermind the dust, or the dweeby selection of DVDs.

While having them match aesthetically would be great, I'm mostly looking for something that comes close dimensionally... Though it was surely designed as a bookshelf, I find it perfectly suited for housing my apartment's DVD collection (which has recently expanded beyond the capacity of a single unit). Any suggestions where I could purchase something similar at a reasonable cost? All of my searching is yielding units made of particle board and the like. Thanks for any help you can provide!

How do I build good bookshelves?

jayder — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 13:06:27 -0800

Can any of you folks point me to a good, simple plan for built-in bookshelves? Our book collection has way outgrown the capacity of the bookcases we have, and I'd like to build some bookshelves that are attached to the walls of our house. But the plans I have found in home-improvement books seem too complicated for my (nonexistent) carpentry skills. Here are the tools I've got: a hand-held circular saw, an electric drill, screwdrivers and a hammer. I want something nice-looking and presentable for the public areas of the house; i.e., not a cinderblock solution.

Where to get wood for shelves online?

malphigian — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 15:10:55 -0800

Where online can I order some wood, have it stained, and shipped? My google skills have failed me. I'm just trying to buy some shelves. We're putting together some shelves, we have the supports for the shelves (Some nifty floor-to-ceiling pressure poles from a place called ISS Designs). All I need is some wood, 1/2" x 12" x 36" I'm thinking would be right. Pine maybe? And then stained a dark walnut color. Heck, even a decent laminate in a dark walnut would work on particle board, but I'm not finding anything at all.

I've spent around an hour searching and I've keep running into completed bookshelves, or hardwood flooring, or raw lumber, or guides about how to put shelves together. Surely what I'm looking for must exist?

I'm fully aware this is the sort of thing I could stroll into a Home Depot or the like, ask for, and would probably be given. The problem is, it's hard to get to one of those in NYC, and a real hassle to carry stuff out (or expensive to have it shipped). I really want to do this online.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Shelving Solutions for Books

jimfl — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 22:21:27 -0800

Searching for modern, modular, attractive shelving for books. Once again, we have outstripped the capacity of our present shelves, and need to expand our bookshelves. Many of the books are reference/art technique books; format varies from trade paperback to "coffee-table" books.

The only room left is just off the living room, so bricks & boards isn't going to cut it. We have a couple of units from Ikea that are about 5 years old, but Ikea no longer carries, them, or anything remotely suitable.

We rent a home with plaster and lath walls, so attaching anything to the walls is right out. Ideally, the shelves would collapse into a pile of lumber and/or metal for transport (like most of our nomadic furnishings).

I am willing to build or buy, so suggestions of kit solutions would be welcome.

What do you all do for book shelving?

Name That Photog

id girl — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 12:40:08 -0800

I am looking for the name or a link to a photographer who shoots pictures of store shelves filled with products, and then photoshops out all the branding / logos etc. so that the shelves appear to be filled with blank products. [+] I'm fairly certain I once saw it linked off of MetaFilter, but it would have been over a year ago. Searches of MeFi archives and googling terms like 'blank products' and various iterations have turned up nothing; I'm hoping someone here either bookmarked it or can point me in the right direction.