These can be the perfect solution for storage, display and dividing a space in a home, office or public area. Like any large piece of furniture, you need to be sure that it will fit the space it will be going in. It is always good idea to know the height you have available for any shelving units you're thinking of installing. If the unit you get is too high, it obviously won't fit, and if it is too short, then available height for storage is not going to be utilized. Width too is important, for similar reasons. You want to make sure that other items next to shelving units have enough clearance, for example in a kitchen or garage, there may be a door to a freezer or tumble drier that needs to be opened.



Also, how deep can the shelves be? If you have limited space in front, make sure you have enough clearance for your shelving units, particularly if they are going to be in a corridor or near a door. So if you're ordering online, make sure you know the measurements of what you're ordering. And if you're buying in a store, make sure you take a tape measure and you know the size of the space you have available when you've decided what to get. An important consideration is how the shelving units are delivered.

Many come as flat-packs, but some come ready assembled, particularly the more expensive, designer models. So it is important to know their dimensions and whether your units will fit through the door. Shelving with adjustable heights between the shelves allow you to have deeper shelves lower down and narrower shelves higher up. This gives you flexibility when displaying or storing items of different size and weight. Some shelving units have cupboards and drawers built in which gives more flexibility for storing a wide range of items. These cupboards may be lockable which gives you somewhere to keep things safe. Modular shelving units are expandable. This makes them useful in a wide range of situations, from the home to offices and industrial settings. As your space grows, you can add modules to your storage system. Shelving units can make excellent room dividers, providing a visual break between two areas.

This is applicable at home and in the largest spaces like office lobbies and warehouses. As the unit it free-standing, it will not be anchored against a wall. So care must be taken to make sure it is sufficiently stable and won't fall over. Some shelving units are easy to assemble and take down again. This can be an important consideration if you're likely to be moving premises. Some shelving units are only made to be put together once and are difficult to re-assemble. This type should be avoided if you're likely to want to move house or office in the future. There is a breed of shelving units that really give an artistic flourish to a room, an office or a public space like an office reception area or an art gallery. These have odd-shaped shelves at jaunty angles and are really works of art in their own right. They are designed for displaying items that need to be eye-catching and visually interesting, like unusual vases, pots, stones, crystals and pictures.