Shelf (storage)

A shelf (plural: shelves) is a flat, horizontal surface used to hold items that are stored or displayed in various environments such as homes, businesses, and stores. Shelves are usually raised off the floor and may be fixed to walls or incorporated into free-standing units. They can be supported using brackets, dowels, nails, or other anchoring hardware, and may also rest on columns or pillars.

 Overview 
Shelves may be part of larger furniture items such as cabinets, bookcases, or entertainment centers. Alternatively, they can be independent structures, either wall-mounted or free-standing. Most shelving units contain two to six shelves stacked vertically. When shelves are mounted on a wall using concealed brackets, they are referred to as floating shelves.

Shelves specifically designed for storing books are called bookshelves.

 Materials 

 Wood
 Metal (such as steel or aluminum)
 Glass
 Plastic

In DIY (do-it-yourself) projects, unconventional materials such as old doors, pencils, books, or even 3D-printed elements may be used. Adjustable shelving systems allow vertical spacing to be changed to accommodate different object heights.

 Pipe shelving 
Pipe shelving is a modern style of shelving that combines wooden boards with steel gas pipes (black or galvanized). These systems may be wall-mounted or floor-supported using flanges. Though copper pipes are sometimes used for aesthetics, they are not ideal for heavy loads.

Pipe shelving is often seen in:

 Retail clothing displays
 Restaurants and cafes
 Industrial-themed homes and offices
 Reclaimed architecture projects such as those involving shipping containers

 Design and installation 

 The width of a shelf should generally not exceed 1.4 times the width of the supporting brackets.
 The vertical height of a bracket should be at least 1.2 times the shelf width.
 For long shelves, bracket spacing should not exceed four times the shelf's breadth.
 For concrete walls, screws should penetrate at least one-tenth the shelf's width.

Some modern systems include wall braces that allow bracket attachment without the need for screws.

 Uses 

 Organizing household items
 Displaying decor
 Storing products in commercial spaces
 Holding books or media
 Creating customized furniture solutions

 See also 

 Bookcase

 Other websites 

 Shelf definition at Wiktionary
 Media related to shelves at Wikimedia Commons
Category:Furniture