Shelving & Storage Solutions for Essex Homes

Good storage is one of the things buyers notice most in a property — and one of the things that makes everyday life significantly more manageable. Whether you're adding shelving to a living room, maximising loft storage or fitting a garage shelving system, here's a guide to getting it right.

Living Room Shelving

Living rooms often have alcoves either side of a chimney breast — these are ideal for fitted shelving. Options range from simple timber shelves on metal brackets to fully fitted alcove shelving with doors and drawers below.

Key considerations: - Depth: 25-30cm is the standard depth for books and general storage - Load capacity: Factor in what you're storing — heavy books need more robust support than ornaments - Finish: Painted MDF is the most popular finish for painted alcoves; solid wood or veneered board works better in natural wood settings

Bedroom Storage

Wardrobes are the obvious storage need in bedrooms, but shelving plays an important role too — particularly in children's rooms and box rooms.

For built-in wardrobe systems, consider modular systems (PAX from IKEA, for example) that can be fitted to look integrated while remaining more affordable than fully bespoke fitted furniture.

Kitchen Shelving

Open kitchen shelving has become increasingly popular as an alternative to wall units:

• Works best in kitchens with consistent, attractive crockery and accessories
• Requires good wall fixings — kitchen items are heavier than they look
• Keep shelves accessible — overly deep shelves in kitchens are impractical

Garage Storage

Garages often become dumping grounds because they lack proper storage. A simple shelving system transforms a garage's usability:

• Heavy-duty metal shelving systems are ideal for garages — strong, durable and resistant to the environment
• Overhead storage systems make use of ceiling height for seasonal items
• Wall-mounted tool storage keeps tools organised and accessible

Getting Fixings Right

The most common shelving failure is inadequate wall fixings. Key principles:

• **Identify your wall type** before drilling — different walls need different fixings
• **Solid masonry** — use appropriate rawlbolts or cavity anchors; strong and reliable
• **Stud walls** — fix into studs for heavy loads; use appropriate hollow wall anchors only for very light loads
• **Always use a level** — a shelf that looks roughly level looks wrong in use
• **Space brackets correctly** — too few brackets causes sagging over time

When to Hire a Professional

Consider professional shelving installation when:

• You're not confident about wall types and fixings
• You want a truly level, aligned result first time
• You're fitting alcove shelving that needs to look built-in
• You need heavy-duty fixings for significant loads

A professional will have the right tools, the right fixings for your specific wall, and the experience to achieve a level, secure result quickly.

*Barry Moore Property Services installs shelving and storage solutions across Essex homes. Contact us for a free quote.*