Reply to: Building whole-wall fitted shelves

[cailin maith]

Sas, did you actually have shelves fitted onto the wall then? I'm concerned the brackets would be visible. Or did they essentially build a big free-standing unit against the wall, so it's self-supporting rather than putting any load on the wall itself? The latter seems preferable to me personally.

If you get a decent cabinet maker, there shouldn't be any brackets or at least nothing visable.

tulip..... some of that crap my brother used to spout clearly went in my head and stayed there

[sasguru]

Remember this, you took advice from SAS.

You're saying that like I'm as incompetent as you are.

[d000hg]

Yeah, worrying but hopefully a one-off. If I ask Suity how to manage the project can someone do an intervention please?

[suityou01]

Thanks Sas. I've got a guy who knows all the practical side of things but knowing what I want him to do will be much easier - sounds I basically want a similar approach to yours.

Remember this, you took advice from SAS.

[d000hg]

Thanks Sas. I've got a guy who knows all the practical side of things but knowing what I want him to do will be much easier - sounds I basically want a similar approach to yours.

[sasguru]

No, shelves not fitted to a wall with brackets.
They made a big free standing unit and slotted it in - in my case it was two alcoves on each side of a protruding chimney breast, so 2 free-standing units really.
The depth of the chimney breast defined the depth of the shelves i.e. 14 inches, so its all flush.
I don't know if they glued the structure to the sides or bottom or how they fixed that part of it, but its all flush and secure.

Actually calling it free-standing gives the wrong impression. That's how it was made but now its fitted, You can't move the shelves. Bit embarrassing that I don't know how that fitting was achieved, being a bit crap at DIY.

[sasguru]

Sas, did you actually have shelves fitted onto the wall then? I'm concerned the brackets would be visible. Or did they essentially build a big free-standing unit against the wall, so it's self-supporting rather than putting any load on the wall itself? The latter seems preferable to me personally.

No, shelves not fitted to a wall with brackets.
They made a big free standing unit and slotted it in - in my case it was two alcoves on each side of a protruding chimney breast, so 2 free-standing units really.
The depth of the chimney breast defined the depth of the shelves i.e. 14 inches, so its all flush.
I don't know if they glued the structure to the sides or bottom or how they fixed that part of it, but its all flush and secure.

[vetran]

like that!

[d000hg]

Did a sketch on A4 (but an accurate one with measurements).
No backing just use the existing wall.
Don't make it too complex and you'll be fine.

Sas, did you actually have shelves fitted onto the wall then? I'm concerned the brackets would be visible. Or did they essentially build a big free-standing unit against the wall, so it's self-supporting rather than putting any load on the wall itself? The latter seems preferable to me personally.

[doodab]

Now I just want to start drawing on the wall but if we end up delaying the work this wouldn't be ideal

You could take photos of the spines of books and stick them to the wall. From a distance, you won't be able to tell the difference.

[d000hg]

Sorry my mistake, it's actually nearer 10". The current floor-standing shelf we have is very deep so it looked less in comparison, but it turns out the shelves we have are more like 14". Which is way too deep for paperbacks, they disappear inside the shelf!

I reckon the 9-10" we actually have should be a good compromise, though the comment about re-boxing the pipe is't a bad call.

Now I just want to start drawing on the wall but if we end up delaying the work this wouldn't be ideal

[proggy]

Why not get a joiner in to do it, your time as a contractor is expensive and given your asking about it on a IT contractor forum you will likely balls it up.

[alluvial]

Go to the UKWorkshop forum and have a look there. Lots of threads on fitted shelves and there should be some stuff on design as well.

And there is an app. The sagulator can be invaluable and save some embarrassment.

[darmstadt]

Don't get me to do it:

[Halo Jones]

At only 6” deep make sure you fasten it to the wall, (mid & top) as the base to height ratio is skew & likely to topple.

Either use an Ikea like system or get it built to order: but don’t use a joiner or kitchen fitter, get a carpenter / furniture maker in.