Wood Shelving
Wood shelving is a common piece of furniture in most homes. Used for storage or display, wood shelving is versatile and available in many shapes, sizes, and colors. The dimensions available vary widely depending on the intended use. Common small units with one shelf are three feet wide and two feet tall. Larger units can span up to six feet tall. It is uncommon to have wood shelving that spans a distance longer than 36 inches as the shelves will begin to sag over time. The depth of the shelves varies. A wooden spice rack will be only a few inches deep, while a TV shelf will be several feet deep. Often several shelving units will be placed side-by-side to give the illusion of a longer shelving unit. Wood shelving units are available preassembled, in do-it-yourself kits, or can be custom made.
Inexpensive wood shelving units are made from medium density fiberboard (MDF) and come packed in a flat box with instructions and the necessary hardware. Consumers select from various finishes and then assemble the unit on their own. These units are sturdy enough for books and various finishes are available to match any décor. They are relatively light-weight and easily portable, allowing the consumer to move them with their household. MDF wood shelving units are an economical choice, but they do not last as long as natural wood shelving units.
Prefabricated natural wood shelving units are more expensive, but will last much longer. They can be purchased unfinished, allowing the consumer to stain or paint them for an exact match to existing wood or desired colors. All-wood shelving units are much heavier and difficult to move, but can be relocated. Their look is more desirable as they will often have decorative features such as crown molding and other trim along the sides and shelves.
Custom-built wood shelving units are the most expensive. These units are built on-site by a trained finish carpenter and permanently attached to the building. They will usually have trim pieces that match the room in color and design. Removing the shelving units without damaging the wood is very difficult and uncommon.
The most common wood shelving units are rectangular in shape and are used for displaying decorative items or storing items such as books, DVDs, and CDs. Specialty units are available with larger openings to accommodate televisions. Kitchen rolling carts are available for microwaves with storage shelving below. Floating shelves can also be used for storage or display. These consist of single pieces of material that are affixed to the wall. They can be easily removed or arranged and are more versatile than free-standing units.