To measure up for ladder shelves, you need four figures: the width of the wall space, the ceiling or skirting height where the top will rest, the floor depth the base will occupy, and any obstructions such as skirting boards, sockets and radiators. Measure the space, subtract a small clearance on each side, then compare your figures with the width, height and footprint listed for the shelf.
Ladder shelves look simple, but because they lean against the wall, they behave differently from upright units. The angle affects how far they project into the room and how much each shelf can hold. Our modern ladder and shelving units UK include product dimensions for every design, as do the rest of the pieces in our modern living room furniture UK sale collection. This guide explains how to use them alongside your own measurements.
A few basic tools make measuring quicker and more accurate.
Measure in centimetres and write each figure down immediately. It is easy to confuse numbers once you have taken several readings.
Measure the full width of the wall space where the shelf will stand, from corner to corner or from one obstruction to the next. If you are placing the shelf in an alcove, measure the width at three heights: near the floor, at waist height and near the top. Alcoves in older British homes are rarely true and square, and the narrowest of the three readings is the one that matters.
Subtract at least two to three centimetres from each side for clearance. This allows you to manoeuvre the shelf into place and stops it from looking wedged in. If you want the shelf to look relaxed and freestanding, leave more space, ideally ten centimetres or more on each side.
Ladder shelves are usually between around 150 and 200 centimetres tall. Measure from the floor to the ceiling, then note any features that could interfere with the top of the shelf, such as picture rails, coving, wall lights or a sloping ceiling.
Remember that the listed height of a ladder shelf is often its vertical height when leaning, not the length of its side rails. Check the product details to see which measurement is given. If only the rail length is listed, the actual height will be a little less once the shelf is at an angle.
Ceiling heights vary considerably across British housing, from generous Victorian rooms to lower modern builds and loft conversions, so never assume a tall shelf will fit without checking.
This is the measurement people most often forget. Because a ladder shelf leans, its base sits some distance from the wall. The footprint is usually listed as depth, and it is often deeper at the bottom than at the top.
Use masking tape to mark the footprint on the floor: the width of the shelf and the depth of its base. Then stand back and walk around it. Does it block a doorway, a drawer or the swing of a cupboard door? Is there enough space to walk past comfortably? In a hallway or a narrow room, you generally want at least 80 to 90 centimetres of clear walkway.
If the depth feels too great, consider a wall mounted ladder style shelf or a narrower upright unit instead.
Ladder shelves rest against the wall at the top and sometimes at points along the rails. Several common features can get in the way.
Deep skirting, especially in period properties, pushes the base of the shelf further from the wall and changes the lean angle. Measure the depth of your skirting and check whether the shelf design allows for it.
Avoid placing a ladder shelf directly over a radiator. Heat can affect wood and dry out books and plants. Keep it to one side with a little space between.
Mark the position of plug sockets and light switches on your wall. A socket behind a shelf is not a problem if you can still reach it, but a switch hidden behind the rails is inconvenient.
If the shelf stands beside a window, make sure curtains can still open and close fully, and that the shelf will not block light you rely on.
On most ladder shelves, the shelves become shallower towards the top. The lowest shelf may be around 35 to 40 centimetres deep, while the top shelf might be only 15 to 20 centimetres. This affects what you can store.
Before buying, think about the largest item you want to place on the unit and check it will fit the relevant shelf depth. If you need deeper, uniform shelves, a traditional bookcase may be the better choice. Our modern bookcases UK sale range offers consistent shelf depths for larger collections, and our modern display stands and units UK include open designs for decorative pieces.
For a broader reference on comfortable shelf spacing and depths, our guide to display cabinet dimensions and shelf spacing in UK homes covers useful benchmarks that apply to open shelving too.
Ladder shelves are generally designed for lighter loads than upright bookcases. Check the maximum weight per shelf listed by the manufacturer, and keep heavier items low to help stability.
Many ladder shelves come with a wall fixing to stop them slipping or tipping. Use it, particularly in homes with children or pets. On wooden floors, small rubber pads under the feet help prevent the base sliding outward over time. On carpet, check that the shelf sits firmly and does not rock.
If your floor slopes, as many older floors do, a spirit level will show you which way. A shelf leaning against a wall on a sloping floor can sit at an uneven angle, so felt or rubber shims under one foot may be needed.
Once you know the size that will fit, consider the type of ladder shelf.
If you are considering one of the taller designs, our article on UK ceiling heights by property age is a helpful reference if you are unsure what to expect in your home.
It is easy to focus on the final position and forget the journey. Measure the width of your front door, any internal doors and the turn at the top or bottom of the stairs. Most ladder shelves arrive flat packed and are assembled in the room, which helps, but some come partly or fully assembled. Check the packaged dimensions in the product details and compare them with the narrowest point on the route.
Once assembled, a ladder shelf is fairly light and can be moved by one person, though two people make positioning easier and safer. Lean it into place gently, check the angle, then fit the wall bracket before loading any shelves.
Measuring for a ladder shelf takes a few minutes but saves a great deal of disappointment. By checking width, height, floor depth and obstructions, then comparing them with the product dimensions, you can choose a shelf that fits comfortably and looks intentional. At Furniture in Fashion, we list clear dimensions for our shelving, and we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Allow at least two to three centimetres on each side for fitting, and more if you want the shelf to look freestanding. Keep 80 to 90 centimetres of walkway in front where possible.
Most sit between around 150 and 200 centimetres tall when leaning. Always check whether a listing gives the vertical height or the rail length.
It is strongly recommended, especially with children or pets. Most come with a fixing kit that stops the shelf slipping or tipping.
It is best avoided. Heat can affect the wood and anything stored on the shelves, and it reduces the radiator’s efficiency.
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