Shelving in the living room: varieties and design options

Increasingly, in the interiors of modern living rooms, one can find not bulky cabinets, but light structures in the form of various shelves and racks. This solution has many advantages. In addition to functionality, they fit perfectly into any interior.

Manufacturers offer a large selection of ready-made living room solutions. The abandonment of classic walls in favor of such structures occurs for a number of good reasons.

1. More free space. Classic walls take up a lot of space. However, they do not always look stylish and modern. The rack can be chosen exactly the size that you need. It can be a single structure or several tiers of shelves and floor open sections.
2. Original and stylish. If ready-made solutions do not suit you, you can make a rack to order. In this case, it will be possible to select the desired style, size and content.
3. Space zoning. In addition to its main function - placing all the necessary items, the rack is able to laconically divide the space into several zones. Decorators and designers often use this technique.
4. It's beautiful... It is not necessary to fill all the shelves in the rack with books, dishes and other items. If some of them are left almost empty and decorative elements or frames with photographs are placed there, then the interior will acquire a complete laconic look.
5. Functionality. Shelving units are usually much smaller in size than classic cabinets and walls. But they are able to accommodate everything you need.Closed lower sections can store laundry, and drawers can conveniently store important documents and other little things.

There are racks of various shapes, colors and sizes on the market. But all of them can be conditionally divided into several main types.

It is a floor construction with open shelves. They can be of different sizes.

Modern technologies allow for the invisible installation of such shelves. The impression is that they are floating in the air, since the mount is hidden. If you want to enhance the feeling of "floating" shelves, you can use backlighting.

If in the classical sense this is a rather cumbersome structure, then the use of shelving in this capacity allows you to free up space and place all the necessary literature.

You can also categorize the racks by their purpose.

Some are more decorative, while others are very convenient to store books and other documents and papers.

They differ from classic shelving only in their shape. With this construction all parts of the room can be used wisely. The corner most often remains unused, and when a corner rack is placed in it, the space will become decorated and functional.

The living room very often performs several functions at once. Competent division of space will help to highlight and maintain the unity of the room, while allotting certain areas of the room for certain needs. The issue of zoning is especially relevant in kitchens and living rooms. In such premises, one does not want to erect partitions, but it is still necessary to separate the kitchen from the hall. A partition rack will be an excellent solution.

In this case, the rack is located on the border of the kitchen and living room. What length and height such an impromptu partition will be depends on the overall design of the room and your preferences. But even in an ordinary living room, the rack can act as a separating element. Depending on the available areas, they can separate the work area (with a desk) from the relaxation area or designate where the relaxation area ends and the home library begins with a comfortable armchair and a floor lamp.

Do not take a shelving unit only as a way to place everything you need. Consider his style. Classic models made of wood remain the leaders. But this does not mean that the options end there.

Therefore, you should not limit your imagination and give preference to ordinary options. We present to your attention only a part of the styles in which an ordinary shelving unit can be made.

• Pop Art. In this case, he simply has to be bright and catchy. Saturated colors and unexpected combinations are the "trick" of this design direction.

• Loft. In addition to its "business card" - a brick wall, it is characterized by the presence of bulky natural wood furniture. It is worth noting that a rack made of this material will cost you much less than a wardrobe. After all, it lacks facades and back walls.

• Minimalism. In this case, the lightweight design with clear lines will only emphasize the minimalistic design. In order for the rack to completely dissolve in space, you can make it in beige or white.

• Eco-style. It encourages the use of natural, environmentally friendly materials. A rack made of light wood or decorated with bamboo will perfectly fit into such a living room.

• Hi-tech and industrial. In this case, the racks can be metal or even cast iron. Do not think that such constructions are heavy and heavy. Modern technologies make them light and stylish.

We have already presented you with some ideas of what style you can use for your shelving unit. But it is worth noting and the ability to give it various forms. In the classical sense, this is a design with rectangular open sections. But modern designers offer many non-trivial options. If you place the shelves not strictly horizontally, but at an angle, then diamond-shaped cells are formed.

Disproportionate sections can be another solution. For example, in one row they will have a small height, and in the other they will take up a lot of space. It is impossible to list all the possible options. Just awaken the artist in you and come up with your own unique design.

You can design a rack not only in different styles and colors, but also use various materials for its production.

These materials have long been used for the manufacture of various furniture. Racks are no exception. Particleboard and fiberboard allow you to imitate almost any natural material. It will cost less than using natural wood. Different types of trees have a characteristic pattern and color. This is fully reflected in their copies. At the same time, in whatever range your interior is executed, you can find a suitable shade.

If you are planning to stylize an antique living room, then your choice is a gray (or aged) oak. In addition to these options, it is possible to choose chipboard imitating stone, marble, bamboo, tree bark or other material.

This option looks more respectable and expensive than the previous one. But do not forget about the high price for such racks. Besides, wood will require special care... It can swell with high humidity, dry out and crack if it is lacking.

The racks do not have to be wooden. In some interiors, it is the metal options that will look more advantageous. Since the structure has no walls, it will not clutter up the space and give the impression of a huge iron safe.

Many are afraid of this material because of its fragility. Modern technologies make it possible to make absolutely transparent glass, which is not inferior in its technical characteristics to plastic. But what is worth worrying about is additional care.

From the above material it is absolutely clear that the rack can be made in any color. But there are still several main directions.

They do not clutter up the room, they are clear and concise.

They are beautiful and organize the geometry of the entire space. Dark, straight, regular lines in the interior cannot go unnoticed. But it should be understood that they should not exist on their own, but be part of the overall composition.

For bold and daring interiors, just such unusual shelving is suitable. Modern materials (film, plastic) allow you to make designs in absolutely any color. And if manufacturers rarely decide on such experiments, then when contacting a specialized company you will be offered a large palette of colors and shades.

The rack in wenge color looks very stylish. Wherein the different direction of the shelves only emphasize its uniqueness and originality.

Glass shelving does not clutter up the space. Do not be afraid that it will break, organic tempered glass can withstand heavy loads and even impacts.

Bright shelving will set the mood for the whole room. Such a bright accent will tell about the cheerful and friendly disposition of its owners and set them in a positive mood.

How to make a stylish shelving unit, see below.