The best shelving units for 1930s semi detached houses are ones that work with the architecture of the period: freestanding units sized to fill the alcoves either side of the chimney breast, low designs that sit beneath bay windows, and slim pieces for the narrow hallway and landing. Finishes that echo the era, such as warm wood tones, curved edges and simple geometric lines, look at home, while a measured dose of contemporary style keeps the house from feeling like a museum.<\/p>\n
The 1930s semi remains one of the most familiar house types in Britain, and many share similar layouts. That makes it easier to plan storage room by room. Our range of modern shelving units UK sale<\/a> includes designs that suit alcoves, bays and narrow walls, and this guide looks at where each type works best.<\/p>\n Houses built between the wars share a recognisable set of features. Many have a front room with a curved or angled bay window, a back room overlooking the garden, a hallway with stairs rising along one side and an understairs cupboard. Upstairs there are typically two good bedrooms, a smaller box room and a bathroom.<\/p>\n Inside, original features often include picture rails, chimney breasts with alcoves either side, panelled doors and sometimes stained glass in the front door or landing window. Ceilings are usually comfortable without being lofty, generally lower than in a Victorian house but more generous than in many modern builds.<\/p>\n Over the decades, many of these homes have been extended or opened up, with front and back rooms knocked into one through lounge or a kitchen extended across the rear. The furniture choices below take both original and altered layouts into account, and our wider modern living room furniture UK sale<\/a> range covers pieces for both.<\/p>\n The alcoves either side of the chimney breast are the natural home for shelving in a 1930s semi. They are often found in both the front and back reception rooms, and sometimes in the main bedroom too.<\/p>\n A pair of matching freestanding units, one in each alcove, creates a balanced look around the fireplace. Measure each alcove separately, because they are rarely identical. One may be narrower due to a gas pipe, a cable run or a slightly offset chimney breast.<\/p>\n Consider height in relation to the picture rail. A unit that stops just below the rail looks deliberate and respects the original proportions. A unit that runs past it can look as though it has been wedged in. If the picture rail has been removed, aim for a height that lines up with the top of the door frame or the mantelpiece shelf for a calm sense of order.<\/p>\n For a dedicated library feel, a pair of bookcases with back panels is often the better choice. Our modern bookcases UK<\/a> include widths that suit typical alcoves well.<\/p>\n The bay window is often the signature feature of a 1930s semi, and the space beneath it is easy to overlook. A low shelving unit or long, shallow cabinet set into the bay uses the space well and keeps sight lines through the window clear.<\/p>\n Measure the bay carefully. Curved bays need a unit that sits comfortably against the central section, while angled bays may take a straight unit across the middle or a run of shorter pieces. Keep the unit below the sill and leave space for curtains or blinds to hang freely. If there is a radiator under the window, a unit placed directly in front of it will block heat, so choose another wall or a design with an open back that lets warm air through.<\/p>\n Where the front and back rooms have been knocked through, there is often a long stretch of wall on the side opposite the chimney breasts. This is a useful place for a longer, lower unit, which can hold books, records and a few decorative pieces while also helping to zone the room.<\/p>\n In long rooms, low storage often looks better than tall storage, because it keeps the room feeling open from end to end. A sideboard style unit with open shelves on top can bridge the gap between storage and display. Our wooden sideboards UK sale<\/a> range includes designs that pair well with open shelving in a through lounge.<\/p>\n Hallways in 1930s semis are usually narrow, with the staircase running alongside. Space for furniture is limited, so shelving here needs to be shallow. A slim wall mounted shelf for keys and post, or a narrow open unit near the front door, can help without blocking the route.<\/p>\n The understairs area is often more promising. If the cupboard has been opened up, a low shelving unit can fit beneath the slope of the stairs. Upstairs, the landing often has a window, and a low unit beneath it can hold books and spare linen.<\/p>\n Hallway sizes vary considerably by house type, and our look at average UK hallway sizes by property type<\/a> is helpful if you are trying to work out what will fit.<\/p>\n The small third bedroom is a feature of many 1930s semis, often used as a nursery, study or dressing room. Space is tight, so vertical storage is the most efficient. A tall, narrow open unit against one wall leaves floor space free, while a cube unit works well in a child’s room for toys and books.<\/p>\n If the box room is over the stairs, you may have a bulkhead step in the floor. Shelving can sometimes sit above or around it, making use of a space that is otherwise awkward to furnish.<\/p>\n Interiors from the interwar period drew on several influences, including Art Deco, Arts and Crafts and early modernism. You do not need to recreate a period interior, but a few cues help new furniture feel at home.<\/p>\n Mixing a period feel with contemporary pieces usually looks more relaxed than trying to match everything to one era. A sleek modern unit in a walnut finish can sit happily beside an original tiled fireplace.<\/p>\nUnderstanding the 1930s Semi<\/h3>\n
Shelving for Chimney Breast Alcoves<\/h3>\n
Shelving Beneath a Bay Window<\/h3>\n
Shelving in a Through Lounge<\/h3>\n
Shelving for the Hallway and Landing<\/h3>\n
Shelving for the Box Room<\/h3>\n
Choosing a Style That Respects the Era<\/h3>\n
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Lighting and Ceiling Height<\/h3>\n