The Best Shelving Units with Drawers

The best shelving units with drawers balance open shelves for display with drawers for the things you would rather keep out of sight. Look for drawers that run smoothly on metal runners, a sturdy frame that can take the extra weight, and a layout that suits the room: drawers at the base for living rooms and bedrooms, mid height drawers for offices and hallways, and tall slim towers for narrow spaces.

A shelving unit with drawers is one of the most versatile pieces you can own, and our modern shelving units UK sale range includes designs for every room. Here is how to choose one that works in your home.

Why Combine Shelves and Drawers

Open shelving looks attractive but exposes everything. Closed cabinets hide clutter but give you nowhere to display the things you love. A unit that combines both lets you curate what is on show while keeping chargers, remote controls, paperwork and odds and ends tucked away.

That balance is especially useful in smaller homes, where one piece of furniture often has to do the job of two. A single shelving unit with drawers can replace a bookcase and a chest, freeing up floor space. It sits naturally within a broader living room furniture UK scheme but works equally well in bedrooms, hallways and studies.

The Main Layouts

Drawers at the Base

The most common layout puts one or two rows of drawers at the bottom with open shelves above. The weight sits low, which keeps the unit stable, and the drawers are at a sensible height for items you use often but do not want on display. This layout suits living rooms, where the drawers can hold games, cables and remote controls, and bedrooms, where they can take folded clothes.

Drawers in the Middle

Some units place drawers at waist height, with shelves both above and below. This puts the drawers at the most comfortable reach and creates a natural break in the design, which can look less top heavy. It suits home offices, where you want stationery to hand, and hallways, where keys and post need a quick home.

Tall Towers with Drawers

Narrow, tall units with a small bank of drawers make use of awkward gaps beside a bed, a desk or a chimney breast. They hold surprisingly much for their footprint.

Wide, Low Units

Long, low units with a row of drawers and open cubbies can double as a media bench, a window seat base or a bedroom storage bench. They keep sightlines open and offer a generous top surface.

What to Check on the Drawers

Drawers are where quality shows first. A wobbly or sticking drawer quickly becomes a daily irritation.

• Runners: metal ball bearing runners glide more smoothly and carry more weight than simple wooden or plastic slides. Soft close runners stop drawers slamming and are worth having where children are around.
• Extension: full extension runners let you reach the back of the drawer easily. Partial extension designs can leave the rear of the drawer hard to access.
• Drawer construction: look for a solid drawer base rather than thin board that might bow. Corner joints should feel firm.
• Handles: recessed or push to open handles keep a clean profile, while visible knobs and bars add character. Consider who will be using the drawers and how easily they can grip.
• Internal depth: check internal measurements, not just external, so you know what will actually fit.

Frame and Stability

Drawers add weight, and when they are pulled out, they shift the centre of gravity forward. A good unit is designed with this in mind.

• Choose a unit with a solid back panel or cross bracing to resist racking.
• Use the supplied wall fixing, particularly on tall units.
• Avoid opening several heavy drawers at once on a tall unit.
• Load drawers with heavier items and keep upper shelves for lighter display pieces.

Where Each Style Works Best

Living Rooms

A wide unit with drawers at the base can sit alongside a sofa or beneath a wall mounted TV. Use the drawers for remote controls, games and chargers, and the shelves for books and a few objects. Warm wood and soft neutral finishes help it feel part of the room rather than a utilitarian addition.

Bedrooms

In a small bedroom, a shelving unit with deep drawers can take the place of a chest. If you need more drawer space than shelf space, our modern chest of drawers UK sale collection offers designs that pair well with open shelving on an adjacent wall.

Home Offices

Mid height drawers keep stationery, cables and notebooks within arm’s reach, while shelves above hold files and reference books. For more office specific options, our home and office storage UK range includes units sized for working spaces.

Hallways

A slim unit with shallow drawers gives keys, gloves and post a home. Check the depth carefully so the hallway stays clear for walking and opening doors.

Children’s Rooms

Low units with drawers at child height let younger children help with tidying. Choose rounded edges, soft close runners and secure wall fixings.

Materials and Finishes

The finish affects how the unit wears as well as how it looks. Drawers are handled every day, so the fronts need to cope with fingers, bags and the occasional knock.

• Solid wood and wood veneer: warm, durable and forgiving of minor marks. Oak and walnut tones suit most UK homes, from period terraces to new builds.
• Matt painted finishes: calm and modern, though pale colours show scuffs near handles. A wipeable finish makes life easier.
• High gloss: bright and reflective, which can lift a darker room. Handleless gloss fronts do show fingerprints, so consider how often you are happy to wipe them.
• Metal frames with wooden drawers: a crisp, slightly industrial look that keeps the open shelves feeling airy.
• Woven or rattan drawer fronts: these add texture and softness, and allow a little airflow, which can help with stored textiles.

Try to echo a material already in the room. Matching the wood tone of a nearby coffee table, desk or bed frame helps the shelving unit look like part of a considered scheme rather than an afterthought.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few errors come up again and again. The first is choosing a unit with too few drawers for the household, then filling the open shelves with clutter that was meant to be hidden. Be honest about how much you need to conceal. The second is ignoring drawer depth: a shallow drawer is handy for stationery but frustrating for jumpers or board games. The third is placing a tall unit with heavy drawers on an uneven floor without levelling it, which can make drawers drift open on their own.

Measuring for Drawers

Drawers need room to open. Before ordering, measure how far each drawer will extend and make sure there is clear space in front for both the drawer and the person opening it. As a rule of thumb, allow the full depth of the drawer plus some standing room.

Check the unit will not block a radiator, socket or skirting heater, and that doors nearby can still swing freely. In older UK homes, uneven floors can affect how drawers run, so look for adjustable feet or levelling fixtures if your floors slope.

Organising the Drawers

Drawers can quickly become a jumble. A few simple habits keep them useful:

• Assign each drawer a single job, such as cables, stationery or textiles.
• Use drawer dividers or small boxes to keep smaller items in order.
• Keep the most used items in the most accessible drawer.
• Do a quick clear out every few months.

For a deeper look at how drawer layouts suit different households, our article on chests of drawers explained for UK lifestyles covers drawer arrangements in more detail.

Styling the Open Shelves

Because the drawers hide practical clutter, the shelves can be styled more freely. Keep a loose balance of books, a plant, a lamp or candle and one or two objects with personal meaning. Leave some gaps so the unit does not feel crowded, and use the top surface for something with height, such as a vase or framed print, to finish the composition.

Choosing With Confidence

A shelving unit with drawers earns its place by doing two jobs well. Start with the room and what you need to hide, choose the layout that suits your reach and space, then check the drawers and frame for quality. You can explore our full selection at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are shelving units with drawers stable?

Well made units are stable, especially when drawers sit at the base. Taller designs should always be fixed to the wall, and you should avoid opening several heavy drawers at once.

What type of drawer runner is best?

Metal ball bearing runners give the smoothest action and carry more weight. Soft close versions prevent slamming, and full extension designs let you reach the back of the drawer easily.

Can a shelving unit with drawers replace a chest of drawers?

In small bedrooms it often can, particularly if the drawers are deep. If you store a lot of folded clothing, a dedicated chest may still offer more capacity.

How much space do I need in front of the drawers?

Allow at least the full depth of the drawer plus standing room. Measure before ordering so drawers can open fully without hitting a bed, sofa or door.