The best open shelving units for landings are shallow, stable and visually light: slim designs no deeper than the space comfortably allows, with an open back or a pale finish so they do not darken the stairwell. They should sit well clear of the top step, leave a generous walkway past bedroom doors, and be fixed securely to the wall. On most UK landings, a low unit under a window or a narrow ladder shelf against a blank wall works far better than a deep, tall bookcase.
A landing is a passing space, but it is often the last area in the house to be given any thought. The right shelving can turn it into a small library, a display spot or useful overflow storage for linen and books. Our collection of modern open shelving units UK includes slim and low designs that suit these spaces, and the advice below covers how to choose one.
A landing is part of the escape route from the upper floor of a house, so clearance matters more here than anywhere else. The area at the top of the stairs needs to stay open so nobody has to step around furniture when they reach the last step, particularly at night or when carrying something.
A sensible rule is to keep the space at the top of the stairs at least as long and wide as the staircase itself, and to keep any shelving well away from it. Then check the walkway along the landing. You should be able to walk past the unit comfortably, open every door fully and carry a laundry basket without turning sideways.
Take a moment to walk the landing at night with only a dim light on. Anything you would rather not bump into in the dark is in the wrong place.
Landings tend to be narrow and often dim, lit by a single window or a skylight. Closed cabinets can feel bulky and block light. Open shelving lets light pass through and around it, so the space still feels airy.
Open designs also look lighter in profile. With no doors to open, they need no extra clearance in front, which is a real advantage where every centimetre counts. The same qualities make open shelving popular in living spaces, and you can see similar designs across our living room furniture UK sale range.
Many landings have a window at one end or above the stairs. A low open unit beneath it uses space that would otherwise be empty, keeps the window clear and provides a surface for a lamp or plant. It also feels natural to stop and pick up a book here.
Ladder shelves lean against the wall with narrow shelves at the top and deeper ones at the base. They take up little floor space and look relaxed. Choose a design that can be fixed to the wall, since a landing is a high traffic area.
A narrow, open bookcase against a blank wall can create a small reading nook, especially if there is room for a chair nearby. Keep the depth shallow and the finish light.
Low cube units with baskets suit family homes, where landings often collect toys, spare bedding and towels. Baskets keep things tidy and children can reach them easily.
If floor space is tight, floating shelves mounted at shoulder height leave the floor completely clear. They suit very narrow landings and look neat with a small run of books and a few objects.
Depth is the most important measurement on a landing. For books, around 25cm is usually enough for paperbacks and many hardbacks. If space is especially tight, some slim units are shallower still, though they hold smaller items only.
Height depends on the wall and on how the landing is lit. A low unit keeps sight lines open and is less likely to block light from a window. A taller unit can work on a solid wall away from the stairs, but should always be fixed securely.
Landings rarely get much direct light, so finish matters. White, pale oak and light grey units reflect what light there is. Slim black metal frames work well too, because their thin profile keeps the unit from looking heavy even though the colour is dark.
Avoid very dark, solid timber on a small landing unless the space is generously lit. It can make the stairwell feel enclosed. Glass shelves can look elegant but are not always practical in a busy family area.
Think about what genuinely belongs upstairs. Landing shelving works best when it holds things used on that floor:
Avoid using the landing as a place to park items in transit. Anything that does not have a clear home will gather and make the space look cluttered.
Because a landing is seen in passing, simple styling works best. Keep the top surface fairly clear, perhaps with a lamp and one other object. Use matching baskets on lower shelves to bring order. Group books in short runs rather than filling every shelf end to end.
A small lamp is one of the most useful additions. It gives a soft light at night that is gentler than the main ceiling light, making the landing safer and more welcoming. Our modern table lamps UK sale include compact designs that sit neatly on a low shelving unit. Use a lamp with a stable base and keep the cable tidy and away from the walkway.
The landing and hallway are linked by the staircase, and they often share a colour scheme. Choosing shelving in a finish that echoes the hallway furniture creates a sense of flow from one level to the next. If your hallway has a white console table or shoe cabinet, a white landing unit will feel connected.
Our hallway storage furniture UK range includes slim pieces that work on landings as well as downstairs, which makes it easier to keep both spaces consistent. Our guide to hallway furniture depth and corridor clearance in UK homes explains how depth affects comfortable movement through narrow spaces, and the same thinking applies upstairs.
If your home is a flat with an internal staircase, or has an unusual layout, it is also worth reading our article on hallway furniture and fire escape routes in UK flats before choosing anything for a landing.
Landings in older terraces are often long and narrow, sometimes with a few steps down to a rear bathroom. A slim bookcase or wall mounted shelves along the solid party wall usually works best, leaving the side with doors clear. Original landing windows are worth keeping unobstructed, so a low unit beneath them is often the most successful choice.
Many semis have a compact landing with doors on three sides and a window over the stairs. Floor space can be limited, so a low unit or a single narrow ladder shelf against the only clear wall tends to work better than anything wide.
Modern homes often have a small, square landing with an airing cupboard and a loft hatch. Shallow shelving or wall mounted shelves keep the space clear, and a pale finish suits the typically neutral walls.
A converted loft may add a second landing under a sloping ceiling. Low shelving fits neatly beneath the slope, using space that is too short to walk through comfortably.
Because landings are passed so often, untidy shelves are noticed quickly. A quick weekly reset, returning stray items to their rooms and straightening baskets, keeps the area calm. Give every basket a clear purpose, such as spare towels or children’s books, so everyone in the household knows what belongs there.
Every freestanding unit on a landing should be fixed to the wall. Landings see constant traffic, and children may pull on shelves or use them to climb. Use the fixing kit supplied and choose fixings suited to the wall. Many upstairs walls in UK homes are stud partitions, which need fixings into the timber studs rather than plasterboard alone.
Keep heavy items on the lower shelves and lighter objects above. This improves stability and makes heavier things easier to lift.
When you are ready to choose shelving for your landing, our full range is available at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Yes, as long as it is kept well away from the top of the stairs, leaves a clear walkway and is fixed securely to the wall. Avoid anything that narrows the route or could be tripped over.
Around 25cm suits most books while keeping the walkway clear. On very narrow landings, a shallower unit or wall mounted shelves may be more practical.
Light finishes such as white, pale oak and light grey help reflect light in what is often a dim space. Slim black metal frames also work because their profile stays visually light.
A small lamp works well and makes the landing safer at night. Choose a stable base, keep the cable tidy and make sure it does not cross the walkway.
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