Choosing a Shelving Unit
A shelving unit can provide practical storage while also creating space for objects you want to keep visible. Start by deciding whether the unit will be used mainly for books, ornaments, plants, framed photographs or a mixture of items. The current DeLiving range is small and focused, with six active products, so the differences in height, shelf arrangement, materials and fixing method matter more than broad style labels.
Most of the current products are freestanding shelf units, while one design is wall-hanging. Check the product page before ordering because installation requirements vary. Do not assume a product is wall mounted simply because it is described as open shelving, and do not assume a freestanding unit can be safely fixed or positioned in a different way from the supplied guidance.
Shelving Units for Living Rooms
Living room shelving can help use vertical space without the visual weight of fully enclosed furniture. Open shelves can hold decorative objects and everyday items while keeping them easy to reach. A taller unit can draw the eye upward, while a lower or wider design may work better alongside other furniture. The right choice depends on wall space, ceiling height and how much visual display you want.
For a coordinated room, consider the finish of nearby tables, TV furniture and seating. A dark shelving unit can create contrast against a light wall, while glass shelves can keep the structure feeling more open. If you need a wider selection of furniture beyond shelving, browse the Living Room collection.
Freestanding Display Shelving
Freestanding shelving is the main format in this collection. It can be useful when you want a display surface without permanently mounting shelves to a wall. Before positioning a unit, check the floor is level and follow any supplied stability or anti-tip instructions. Tall furniture may require additional securing depending on its design and the manufacturer's guidance.
Open shelves work best when the display is balanced rather than overcrowded. Mix larger and smaller pieces, keep heavier items where the instructions allow, and follow any stated load guidance on the product page.
Glass Shelf Units
The Axis and Alto shelf units use glass shelves, giving the range options with a lighter visual appearance. Glass can allow more light through the unit and keep decorative objects visible from different angles. It can also show dust and fingerprints more readily, so regular gentle cleaning may be useful.
Check whether the product specification gives any particular glass type, cleaning instructions or loading limits. Avoid making assumptions about impact resistance or safety characteristics that are not stated on the product page. Use non-abrasive cleaning methods appropriate for the listed materials.
Black and Industrial Shelving Designs
The range includes a Large Black Multi Shelf Unit and a Multi Shelf Industrial Shelf Unit. These designs can suit interiors that use darker metal tones, exposed textures or stronger linear shapes. Because only certain products fit these descriptions, black and industrial shelving are supporting themes rather than claims about the entire collection.
Lighter accessories can stand out against a dark frame, while repeated black or metal details elsewhere in the room can help the shelving feel connected to the wider scheme.
Wall-Hanging Shelving
One current product, the Large Circular Silver Wall Hanging Multi Shelf, is designed as a wall-hanging display piece. This makes wall shelving a useful secondary option within the collection, but it does not describe the majority of the range. Check the fixing instructions, wall suitability and product weight before installation.
Wall construction varies, and the correct fixings depend on the surface and the manufacturer's requirements. If you are unsure whether a wall is suitable, use appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a generic fixing method.
What to Display on Open Shelving
Open shelving can hold books, ceramics, plants, photographs and decorative objects within the shelf dimensions and permitted load. Leave some empty space so items remain visible, and keep frequently used objects on easier-to-reach shelves where appropriate.
If you prefer items to be protected behind doors or glass fronts, a shelving unit may not be the best format. Browse Display Cabinets for enclosed display furniture, or Bookcases & Bookshelves when book storage is the main purpose. For broader organisation options, the Storage collection covers additional furniture types.
Measuring Before Ordering
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare those figures with the exact product dimensions. Check skirting boards, sockets, radiators, switches, doors and nearby furniture. For freestanding units, allow enough floor depth for the unit to sit as intended. For the wall-hanging design, check the proposed wall area and installation requirements.
Measure the delivery route through doors, halls, stairs and lifts. Confirm whether assembly is required and whether the finished unit can be moved into position.
Shelving Units FAQs
What types of shelving units are currently available?
The current range includes freestanding multi-shelf units, glass-shelf designs, black and industrial-inspired options, plus one circular wall-hanging shelf. The assortment can change as products are added or removed.
Are all of these shelving units freestanding?
No. Most current products are freestanding, but the Large Circular Silver Wall Hanging Multi Shelf is designed to hang on a wall. Always confirm the fixing method on the individual listing.
Are shelving units the same as display cabinets?
No. Shelving units in this collection are mainly open-display furniture, whereas display cabinets typically use enclosed sections, doors or glazed fronts. Choose according to whether you want open access or more protected display space.
Can I use these units as bookcases?
Some shelves may be suitable for books within their stated dimensions and load guidance, but this collection is not targeted as a bookcase range. Browse the dedicated Bookcases & Bookshelves collection when book storage is the main requirement.
How should I clean glass shelves?
Follow the care instructions for the individual product. In general, use methods suitable for the listed glass and frame materials and avoid abrasive tools or cleaners unless specifically recommended.
Do tall shelving units need to be fixed to the wall?
Follow the stability and anti-tip guidance supplied for the specific product. Requirements vary by design, so do not assume that every freestanding unit uses the same fixing method.
How do I choose the right size shelving unit?
Measure the available wall and floor area, check the product width, depth and height, and consider nearby doors, sockets, radiators and furniture. Also think about what you plan to display and how easily each shelf can be reached.
What should I check before ordering?
Confirm dimensions, shelf arrangement, materials, weight, fixing or assembly requirements and delivery access. The individual product page is the final source for product-specific specifications and care information.
