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How to Measure Up for Alcove Shelving: A Simple Sizing Guide
October 29, 2026

How to Measure Up for Alcove Shelving: A Simple Sizing Guide

Alcoves either side of a chimney breast are one of the most useful spaces in a British home, yet they are also among the trickiest to measure accurately. Walls in older houses are rarely straight, skirting boards and picture rails get in the way, and the two alcoves in the same room are often different sizes. This step by step guide explains exactly how to measure an alcove for a freestanding shelving unit, including where to take width readings, how to check depth at several heights, and how much clearance to leave so the unit slides in neatly without scraping the walls. We also cover common obstacles such as radiators, sockets, deep skirting and sloping floors, and explain how to record your measurements so you can compare them with product dimensions quickly. Finally, there are tips on choosing between a single unit or a pair, and on getting the proportions right so your alcove shelving looks deliberate....

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How to Choose Shelving Units for a 1930s Semi
October 29, 2026

How to Choose Shelving Units for a 1930s Semi

The 1930s semi detached house is one of the most familiar home types in Britain, and its layout offers clear opportunities for storage when you work with it rather than against it. In this guide, we explain how to choose shelving units that suit these homes, starting with the alcoves either side of the chimney breast and the importance of measuring each one separately. We look at how picture rails, deep skirting boards and the much loved bay window should influence the height and placement of shelving, and which styles sit comfortably alongside original features without feeling like a pastiche. You will also find advice for long, narrow hallways, the space beneath the stairs, bedrooms and the box room, as well as knocked through reception rooms and rear extensions. We finish with practical checks on wall types, uneven floors and access routes, plus ideas for lighting alcove shelving so it becomes a feature in its own right....

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The Best Alcove Shelving for Living Rooms
October 29, 2026

The Best Alcove Shelving for Living Rooms

Alcoves on either side of a chimney breast are among the most useful spaces in a British living room, yet they are often left empty or poorly filled. The right alcove shelving makes these recesses work hard while keeping the room balanced and calm. In this guide we look at the main options, from freestanding open shelving and slim bookcases to the classic arrangement of a low cupboard with shelves above. We explain how to measure an alcove properly, allowing for skirting boards, uneven walls and picture rails, and why depth matters as much as width. We also consider how to treat a pair of alcoves when one holds a television or media equipment, how to make shelving feel fitted without building in, and how to style the shelves so they look considered rather than crowded. Whether your home is a Victorian terrace or a newer build with a feature wall, there is an approach that will suit it....

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Alcove Shelving Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Order
October 29, 2026

Alcove Shelving Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Order

Alcoves either side of a chimney breast are some of the most useful storage spaces in British homes, but they are rarely as regular as they look. Before you order alcove shelving, it pays to measure each recess separately at several heights, note skirting, coving, sockets and radiators, and choose a unit that fits the narrowest point. This guide walks through everything we would check first: whether freestanding or fixed shelving suits you, how deep the shelves should be, how much clear height you need between them and how much weight they can safely carry. We also look at planning alcoves around a television, choosing between open and closed storage, and picking a finish that sits comfortably against your walls, floor and fireplace. A short checklist at the end brings the key measurements together so you can order with confidence and avoid the most common fitting mistakes, especially in older Victorian and Edwardian properties....

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Alcove Shelving Explained: Sizes, Styles and Finishes
October 29, 2026

Alcove Shelving Explained: Sizes, Styles and Finishes

Alcoves either side of a chimney breast are a familiar feature in Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s homes across the UK, and the right shelving turns them into the most useful part of a room. This guide explains how to measure an alcove properly, taking width, depth and height at several points to allow for uneven walls, settled plaster and sloping floors. We look at typical alcove sizes in terraced houses and larger reception rooms, and how unit depth should relate to the front of the chimney breast. You will find a clear overview of the main styles, from open shelves and ladder designs to mixed units with cupboards below and glazed display cabinets. We also compare finishes including oak, walnut, soft white, black metal and high gloss, explain how to keep two alcoves balanced when their widths differ, and share practical advice on styling, wall fixing and dealing with radiators so your alcove storage looks considered and stays safe....

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