The empty wall beside the fireplace, the nook under the stairs, the corner nobody knows what to do with: each one is a place for shelves. Bell Woodworking and Design handcrafts custom shelving for homes in Inlet Beach, FL, cut to the exact width and height of the space. You get storage that looks like it was always part of the room.
Can Custom Shelving Be Built for an Odd-Shaped Wall or Alcove?
Yes: each shelf is cut to the opening rather than to a standard size, which is why odd spaces are where custom shelving earns its cost. A sloped ceiling under the stairs or an alcove 27 inches wide instead of 30 can both be measured and fitted. Corners can take L-shaped shelves that wrap from one wall to the next. Walls are rarely perfectly straight. Built-in shelves can be scribed, meaning the edge is trimmed to follow the wall's actual line, so there's no gap to hide.
Types of Custom Shelving
Built-In Shelves
Built-in shelves are fixed to the wall and framed in, so they read as part of the house rather than furniture standing against it. They suit a living room wall or the space around a window. Because they're attached, they can run floor to ceiling without tipping. The trim that ties them into the room falls under finish carpentry.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves have no visible brackets. A steel rod or hidden cleat goes into the wall, and the shelf slides over it. For a clean hold, they need to anchor into wall studs, which in most homes sit 16 inches apart. That spacing shapes where a floating shelf can go and how long it can be. They work well in kitchens and bathrooms where a bulky bookcase would crowd the room.
Custom Bookshelves
Books are heavy, and long shelves sag under them over time. A solid wood shelf about 3/4 inch thick holds books best when it's supported every 30 to 36 inches. Custom bookshelves can be sized with that in mind, with depth around 10 to 12 inches for most hardcovers. Ask about adjustable shelves if your collection changes over time.
Wood Wall Shelves
Not every wall needs a full unit. A few wood wall shelves over a desk or beside a doorway add display space without taking any floor. They're a simple way to try custom shelving in a room before committing to a larger built-in.
Shelving That Matches the Rest of the Room
Bell Woodworking and Design handcrafts every set of shelves to order, so the depth and finish come from your room rather than a box. If you're also planning a custom bench below the shelves, both pieces can be designed together. Reach the business at (770) 362-7065 to describe what you have in mind.
If you're unsure how much shelving a room needs, start with the wall you look at most. A single finished wall often shows whether the rest of the room needs more.
Shelving for Homes in and Around Inlet Beach
Shelves are built for homes in Inlet Beach and the surrounding area, including Destin, Freeport, Callaway, and Lynn Haven. Coastal homes often have tall living room walls and small guest rooms, and both are good candidates for shelving cut to fit.
Shelving Questions
How deep should shelves be?
Paperbacks need about 8 inches of depth, most hardcovers fit on 10 to 12 inches, and shelves for baskets or plants often run 12 to 16. Measure your largest item before settling on a depth
How far apart should shelves be spaced?
For books, 10 to 13 inches between shelves fits most titles with a little finger room. Taller art books and binders may need 14 or more. Spacing for display items is set by the tallest piece on each shelf.
Should shelves be built-in or freestanding?
Built-in shelves are attached to the wall and stay with the house if you move, while a freestanding bookcase goes with you. If you rent or plan to move within a few years, freestanding is usually the better fit.
Will wood shelves warp in a humid beach house?
Wood moves with humidity, swelling in damp months and shrinking in dry ones. A finish sealed on every side slows that movement. Keeping indoor humidity between about 35 and 55 percent helps shelves stay flat.
Which measurements help plan a shelving project?
Width of the wall or opening, height to the ceiling, and the location of any outlets or vents on that wall. A straight-on photo of the wall helps too.
Plan Your Shelves
Send the wall measurements and a note about what the shelves will hold. Use the contact form or call (770) 362-7065 if a conversation is easier. To see the other pieces the business builds, visit the Bell Woodworking and Design home page.