How Many Types of Shelves Can You Name? (2024)

In This Article

  • #1: Fixed Bracket Wall Shelves
  • #2: Floating Wall Shelves
  • #3: Built-in Shelves
  • #4: Hanging Wall Shelves
  • #5: Free-standing Shelves
  • #6: Ladder Shelves

Whether you’re a pro shelfie styler or just need some extra space to keep necessary items, it’s undeniable that shelves are a blessing when square footage comes at a premium. Luckily, there are a variety of wall shelves and other types of shelves out there that do justice to your ultimate goal, be it styling or just storing. Read through to get some inspiration, from old-school fixed brackets to chic hanging designs.

#1: Fixed Bracket Wall Shelves

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Fixed bracket shelving is probably one of the most common arrangements, not least because it is also touted as the safest. In this system, brackets are attached to walls and shelves secured onto them. The perk of this system is that, being fixed to the wall, it’s less likely to fall or break. It’s a great option for houses with toddlers or pets.

#2: Floating Wall Shelves

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Unlike fixed bracket shelves, floating shelves have no visible support, making it seem as though they’re suspended on the wall on their own. These shelves are easy to build and are a boon for those who don’t want thick brackets or hooks marring their walls. If safely secured and of the right material, floating wall shelves are stable and can hold up a decent amount of weight.

#3: Built-in Shelves

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These shelves functionally make use of existing alcoves. Built-in shelves are quite literally built into a nook or indentation, using the existing walls of the alcove as support. Depending on how much space you have, you could install several shelves and add a frame or doors to further secure whatever you display. If you’re dealing with a dead corner, you can use this idea to create curved wall shelves instead, using the two walls as support.

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#4: Hanging Wall Shelves

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As the name suggests, hanging shelves are shelves suspended on pipes, ropes or other forms of support. They instantly add dramatic flair to a room. These wall shelves vary depending on what style you pick– industrial shelves use wood and pipes while ropes and light wood planks channel bohemian vibes.

#5: Free-standing Shelves

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Free-standing shelves can be propped up against a wall or stood on the floor. They’re best used as bookshelves but can also double up as displays for vignettes and knick-knacks. The classic type of free-standing shelves are straight-backed and made of metal; however, you could also opt for wooden leaning variants if you want something more modern.

#6: Ladder Shelves

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Ladder shelves are yet another fun way to spruce up your space while adding storage. These types of shelves resemble ladders in their construction. Depending on the style you opt for, the ‘rungs’ are either equal in size or get bigger from top to bottom. The latter style is ideal for accommodating items of varying shapes and sizes. Additionally, ladder shelves provide the stability of anchored shelves without having to drill holes into a wall.

#7: Open & Closed Shelves

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This shelf design has sprouted from the industrial warehouse shelf. But unlike a warehouse rack, it is not completely bare. This type of shelves usually come in metal frames with some closed units and some open shelves. Thus, it can be used for storage and display. They also make excellent functional partitions.

These distinct types of shelves instantly elevate the look of a room and provide some much-needed space to display souvenirs, books and collectables! Also check out 12 Iconic Sofa Styles Explained.

Check out storage ideas for your little one:

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How Many Types of Shelves Can You Name? (2024)

FAQs

What are shelves also called? ›

A shelf is also known as a counter, ledge, mantel, or rack. Tables designed to be placed against a wall, possibly mounted, are known as console tables, and are similar to individual shelves.

What is shelf type? ›

#1: Fixed Bracket Wall Shelves. #2: Floating Wall Shelves. #3: Built-in Shelves. #4: Hanging Wall Shelves. #5: Free-standing Shelves.

What is a group of shelves called? ›

A group of rows of shelving is often referred to as 'stacks'. A group of shelves, one above the other and supported by the same uprights or standards, may be called a bay or a section. A group of bays or sections may be called a row or range.

What are wall shelves called? ›

Floating shelves are a unique style of shelf that are mounted to a wall with no visible means of support.

What are retail shelves called? ›

Retail Shelving is also commonly referred to as shop shelving or store shelving. It includes various type of display units, retail fixtures and gondolas. Retailers and suppliers use the space on these different shelves and fixtures to display their merchandise for shoppers to find and buy.

How do you name shelves? ›

Your labels should start with the zone abbreviation (if you use zones), the section letter (if you use sections), and then descend from 1 – 10 or A-Z from the highest point to the floor. If you have two locations side by side on a shelf, consider ending one with “L” and the other with “R” (for “left” and “right”).

What are the different types of shelf life? ›

Shelf-life items are classified as nonextendable (Type I) and extendable (Type II). Type I items have a definite storage life after which the item or material is considered to be no longer usable for its primary function and should be discarded.

What is difference between bookshelf and shelves? ›

What is the difference between a 'shelf' and a 'bookshelf? According to the Spanish Royal Academy a shelf “is a unit comprising shelves or levels” and a bookshelf in a “unit with shelves for placing books”; so the difference lies in the use.

What is the difference between shelve and shelf? ›

A 'shelf' is a board that we put on the wall and put stuff on it, while, 'shelve' is a verb that refers to putting something on the shelf. Look at the examples below: Put the books back on the shelf . The nurse carefully shelved all the syringes.

What are big shelves called? ›

WIDE SPAN SHELVING OR PALLET RACKING

Wide Span Shelving, also known as Mini-Racking, and Pallet Racking are large shelving systems using open upright frames and beams for storage of large and bulky items, palletized materials or bundles of small items to be broken out and distributed.

What do you call more than one shelf? ›

Shelves is the plural of shelf.

What do you call open shelving? ›

Open shelving has a bookcase type design, but instead of being encased, the shelves are open. In other words, unlike a closed shelving system that has a steel back and three enclosed side panels, open shelving is open all the way around. For that reason, it is more accessible.

What are kitchen shelves called? ›

Metro shelves, or "racks" if you're familiar with American kitchen lingo, is the common name for the metal wire shelving units found in restaurant kitchens, suburban garages, warehouses, and homes all over the place.

What are movable shelves called? ›

Mobile shelving, mobile aisle shelving, compactus, roller racking, or rolling stack, are terms applied to shelving or storage units fitted with wheeled traction systems. Units can be closely packed when access is not required, but can be readily moved to open up an aisle to allow access.

What is a sliding shelf called? ›

A roll-out shelf, also known as a glide-out shelf, pull-out shelf, sliding shelf, or slide-out shelf is a shelf that can be moved forward in order to more easily reach the contents stored in the back of a cupboard or cabinet without having to bend over.

What is the professional word for stocking shelves? ›

A Stocker, or Stock Clerk, is responsible for making sure that consumers have access to the merchandise they are looking for by organizing product displays and storage. Their duties include counting inventory, adding price tags to items and putting products on shelves according to an organized system.

What are the shelves in a warehouse called? ›

The answer is that the shelving is called pallet rack, or pallet racks, depending on how many you need.

What are rows of shelves in a grocery store called? ›

An aisle is a long narrow gap that people can walk along between rows of seats in a public building such as a church or between rows of shelves in a supermarket.

What is grocery store shelving called? ›

Grocery Stores or Supermarkets. Gondola Shelving comes in Gondola Wall Units, Double-Sided Gondola Units and Gondola End Cap Units.

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