How to Choose Shelving Units for an Ex-Council Flat

The best way to choose shelving units for a former council flat is to start with the walls and windows rather than the furniture. These flats often have generous windows, solid walls and practical, regular room shapes, but limited built in storage and sometimes awkward radiator or pipe positions. Favour slim, well proportioned units that fit the solid wall space you have, keep depth modest so circulation stays easy, and choose designs that combine open display with some closed storage. If walls are concrete or solid masonry, plan your fixings before you buy anything tall.

Flats that were originally built by local authorities make up a large share of homes in many British towns and cities. They come in all sorts of forms, from low rise maisonettes to tower blocks, and many are now privately owned or rented. Our modern shelving units UK sale include compact and modular designs that suit the practical layouts these homes tend to have.

What Makes These Flats Different

Every flat is its own, but there are some common traits worth knowing about before you start planning storage.

• Regular room shapes: many have square or rectangular rooms without chimney breasts or alcoves, which makes furniture placement more straightforward.
• Large windows: living rooms often have wide windows or balcony doors that bring in plenty of light but reduce usable wall space.
• Solid walls: concrete or masonry walls are common, which is good for sound but needs the right drill bits and fixings.
• Limited built in storage: some have a useful airing cupboard or hall cupboard, but little else.
• Exposed pipes and radiators: heating pipes and radiators are sometimes placed in ways that limit where furniture can go.
• Narrow hallways: entrance halls can be compact and are often the main route out of the flat.

Keeping these points in mind helps you pick shelving that fits naturally rather than fighting the room.

Plan the Living Room First

The living room usually holds the most stuff and gets the most use, so it is the natural place to start. Shelving here needs to work alongside the sofa, TV, dining area and any other modern living room furniture UK you already own.

Find the Solid Wall

In many former council flats, one long wall in the living room is free of windows and doors. This is often where the TV and sofa compete for space. A pair of slim open shelving units either side of the TV creates a media wall without heavy cabinets. Alternatively, put the TV on one wall and a single larger unit opposite.

Consider Under the Window

If the window is wide and the sill is high enough, a low shelving unit beneath it adds storage without blocking light. Leave space around any radiator below the window so heat can circulate.

Use the Corners

Corners are often wasted in square rooms. A tall, narrow unit or a corner shelving design adds storage and draws the eye upward, which can make a modest ceiling feel higher.

Choosing the Right Size

Space is usually at a premium, so proportion matters. A unit that is too deep will make walkways feel tight, while one that is too tall can dominate a room with a standard height ceiling.

Depth

Choose the shallowest depth that holds your largest items. Paperbacks, ornaments and small plants need very little depth. Boxes and large books need more. If you have both, consider a unit with deeper lower shelves or combine two pieces.

Height

Measure floor to ceiling. Ceilings in many flats are fairly standard heights, so a unit that reaches very close to the ceiling may feel heavy. Leaving a clear band of wall above keeps the room open.

Width

Wide units give lots of storage but take up a whole wall. In a multi purpose living room, two narrower units often give more flexibility than one wide one, as you can move them independently.

Open, Closed or Both?

Former council flats tend to have limited built in storage, so shelving often needs to hide everyday clutter as well as display favourite things.

• Open shelving: feels light and keeps small rooms airy. Works for books, plants and display pieces.
• Closed storage: hides paperwork, cables, toys and cleaning supplies.
• Mixed units: cupboards or drawers below with open shelves above are often the most practical choice.

Baskets and lidded boxes on open shelves are another good option. They keep things organised while softening the look.

Zoning an Open Plan Space

Some flats have been opened up, or were designed with a combined living and dining room. Open shelving can help define zones without building a wall. A medium height unit placed at right angles to the wall, between the sofa and the dining table, separates the two areas while letting light through. For a more defined division, our room dividers UK sale can be paired with shelving to create a reading corner or a small work area.

The Hallway: Small but Important

Hallways in flats are often compact, and they are also the main route in and out. Keep the walkway clear. A very slim shelving unit or wall shelf can hold keys, post and a plant, while a shallow cabinet or bench handles shoes. Our hallway storage furniture UK includes narrow designs that keep the floor space as open as possible.

It is especially important in flats not to obstruct the escape route from your front door. Our guide to hallway furniture and fire escape routes in UK flats explains the general principles. Never leave furniture or storage in shared communal corridors or stairwells.

Bedrooms and Second Rooms

Second bedrooms in many flats double as studies, nurseries or guest rooms. A tall bookcase with adjustable shelves suits changing needs, as you can rearrange shelf heights when the room’s use changes. In main bedrooms, a low shelving unit can sit beside the bed and act as a bedside table with extra storage.

Fixing Shelving to Solid Walls

Many former council blocks were built with concrete or dense masonry. This is good for soundproofing between flats, but it means drilling needs care.

• Use a hammer drill and masonry bits suitable for the wall material.
• Choose wall plugs and screws appropriate for solid walls.
• Check for pipes and cables before drilling. A detector can help.
• If you rent, ask your landlord or housing association before making any holes.
• Always secure tall units, especially in homes with children.

If drilling is not possible, choose lower freestanding units that are stable without wall fixing.

If You Rent

Many former council flats are now rented privately. Renters often prefer furniture that can move with them. Freestanding shelving in neutral finishes adapts to different homes, and modular systems can be reconfigured. Our article on TV unit ideas for a rented flat in the UK covers similar thinking for living room storage.

Finishes and Style

These flats often have a clean, practical architectural style that suits many furniture looks. Light oak and white keep small rooms bright. Black metal frames with wood shelves suit a more industrial feel, especially in blocks with exposed concrete or large windows. Colour can work well too: a shelving unit painted or finished in a soft green or warm grey adds personality without overwhelming a compact space.

Keep finishes consistent across the flat where possible. In a small home, repeating one or two materials from room to room makes the whole space feel joined up and calmer.

Making the Most of Balconies and Deep Windowsills

Some former council flats have a balcony or deep internal sills, both of which influence where shelving can go. Keep the route to a balcony door completely clear, and avoid placing tall units where they would block the door from opening fully. Deep sills can act as a small shelf in their own right, so a low unit beneath them can be fairly shallow and still give you a generous display surface on top.

Large windows also mean strong daylight for much of the day. Books and fabrics placed in direct sun can fade over time, so it is worth keeping treasured items on shelves that sit side on to the window rather than facing it directly.

Final Checks

• Measure the lift, stairwell and front door if the unit will arrive assembled.
• Note radiator and socket positions on each wall.
• Choose depth with walkways in mind.
• Plan wall fixings for solid walls before buying.
• Consider how the unit could move with you in future.

When you are ready to compare options, you can browse shelving, room dividers and hallway storage at Furniture in Fashion. We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drill into concrete walls in a former council flat?

Usually yes, with a hammer drill and suitable masonry bits and plugs. Check for pipes and cables first. If you rent, get permission before drilling.

What size shelving unit suits a small flat living room?

Slim, medium height units usually work best. Choose a shallow depth to keep walkways clear, and leave some wall above the unit so the room does not feel crowded.

Is open shelving a good idea in a small flat?

Yes, as it feels lighter than closed storage. Combine it with baskets or a unit that has some cupboards so everyday clutter has somewhere to go.

Can I put shelving in a communal hallway?

No. Communal corridors and stairwells should be kept clear. Keep any storage inside your own flat.