Alcove shelving

paddypaws101

I have a typical alcove in my bedroom next to the fireplace. I would like to get shelves fitted into it to utilise the space efficiently.
Any hints on what kind of materials/brackets/supports would work best?

Jonesya

How long is a piece of string?

For the support you could go for fixed metal brackets, cheap enough but not always the good looking and fixed position. You could run some twin-slot shelving rail up the back and use twin-slot fittings, this would let you adjust the heights of the shelves easily in the future. You could use timber battens on the sides and back of the alcove and secure the shelves to these.

Twin-slot:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ironmongery/Shelving/White+Twinslot+Shelving+Upright+1600mm/d170/sd2230/p31030

For materials, again lots of choice - MDF sheet cut to size at B&Q, cheap and functional but would need painting. You can get pine timberboard, pine jointed together to make large sheets of it, get it cut for you at the shed then stain/varnish it as required. You can get melamine in various finishes.

One think you need to think about is span, ie the length of the shelf, weight you're putting on it and the kind of walls you're fixing into it. Long spans need thicker shelving materials and/or more frequent supports otherwise the shelves can sag.

cyclonebri1

Jonesya wrote: »

How long is a piece of string?

For the support you could go for fixed metal brackets, cheap enough but not always the good looking and fixed position. You could run some twin-slot shelving rail up the back and use twin-slot fittings, this would let you adjust the heights of the shelves easily in the future. You could use timber battens on the sides and back of the alcove and secure the shelves to these.

Twin-slot:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ironmongery/Shelving/White+Twinslot+Shelving+Upright+1600mm/d170/sd2230/p31030

For materials, again lots of choice - MDF sheet cut to size at B&Q, cheap and functional but would need painting. You can get pine timberboard, pine jointed together to make large sheets of it, get it cut for you at the shed then stain/varnish it as required. You can get melamine in various finishes.

One think you need to think about is span, ie the length of the shelf, weight you're putting on it and the kind of walls you're fixing into it. Long spans need thicker shelving materials and/or more frequent supports otherwise the shelves can sag.

Very true, I normally try to add a return to the front edge of the shelf. It stiffens up the shelf and allows an extra fastening to be hidden behind at each front edge.
Essential if installing hifi etc.;)

paddypaws101

Some great ideas above, thank you.
The span is about 77cm so hopefully not so wide that shelves would bow....although I do stack quite a lot of books onto the bookcase which is there now.
I like the idea of the twin slot brackets....are they available in B&Q or similar as I don't think I have enough time to order them online now.

Jonesya

Yeah B&Q sell them but Toolstation and Screwfix have a huge branch network (not just mail order) and they're much cheaper - about half the price, for the rails and fixings.

paddypaws101

cyclonebri.....what is a 'return' which you advise on the front of a shelf, can you show me a picture please or a link.

Ruski

It's called 'nosing' and this gives an idea of what it is - basically stiffens the front edge and gives a 'sturdier' look to the shelf material.

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/d2/b6/ea/d2b6eabcc6f73096bc045f9240110595.jpg

HTH

Russ

cyclonebri1

Thanks Russ, I did wonder if the OP would understand, the pic explains all, :T:T

paddypaws101

Thanks Ruski....that does indeed neaten the edge up.
How is it fixed onto the front edge though? And where does one buy it?

Ruski

Well unless you're a dab hand with a router, power tools et al, I suggest that you just stick to a plain piece of 1 1/4 x 3/4 and just glue and/or pin it to the front edge of the shelves, so the top edge is flush with the top part of the shelf.

HTH

Russ

paddypaws101

yes that does help, I should imagine it will be fairly easy to glue that on and it does give a nice neat edge.