Alcove Shelving

Alcove shelving is shelving made to fit the recess beside a chimney breast, or in any alcove, turning awkward, unused space into practical storage or display. Because an alcove is rarely a standard size, ours are cut to your exact measurements in our Halifax workshop, so each shelf fits the recess snugly. Choose floating alcove shelves for a clean, bracket free look, or shelves on brackets for heavier loads, in solid oak or pine.

  • Solid oak and pine alcove shelves, handmade in Yorkshire
  • Cut to fit your alcove exactly, made to measure
  • Floating or bracket styles to suit the look and the load
  • Turns unused alcove space into storage or display
  • Solid timber all the way through
  • Choice of finishes, with bespoke sizes as standard

Measure the width of your alcove at the point the shelf will sit, as recesses often taper, and we will cut to that size. Browse the full wooden shelves range, or our floating shelves and bracket shelves for other styles.

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More about our Alcove Shelving

Alcove shelving buying guide

Alcove shelving makes use of the recess beside a chimney breast, or any alcove, that would otherwise sit empty. A run of shelves in an alcove gives you generous storage or display in a spot that suits it perfectly, and because the shelves are framed by the walls on either side, they look built in.

Measuring your alcove

The most important step is measuring. Alcoves are rarely square, and often taper slightly from front to back or top to bottom, so measure the width at the exact height each shelf will sit rather than assuming one figure for the whole recess. We cut every shelf to your measurement, so a snug fit is straightforward once you have the right numbers.

Floating or bracket alcove shelves

Floating alcove shelves give the cleanest look, with no visible supports, ideal where the shelves are the feature. Shelves on brackets carry more weight and suit heavier loads such as books. Both work well in an alcove, so it comes down to the look you want and what will sit on them.

Oak or pine

Solid oak is hard wearing with a fine grain, while pine is warmer and takes paint beautifully, handy if you want the shelves to blend into a painted alcove. Both are solid wood throughout and made to your size.

Made in Yorkshire

Every alcove shelf is handmade to order in our Halifax workshop and cut to fit, so no two are quite the same.

All our timber is FSC certified and responsibly sourced!

Sustainability

Frequently asked questions

What is alcove shelving?
Alcove shelving is shelving made to fit the recess beside a chimney breast or in any alcove. Because the shelf is framed by the walls on either side, it looks built in, and it turns an awkward, unused space into storage or display.
How do I measure my alcove for shelves?
Measure the width at the exact height each shelf will sit, not just once, as alcoves often taper from front to back or top to bottom. Decide on the depth you want too. Send us those measurements and we cut each shelf to fit.
Do you make alcove shelves to measure?
Yes. Every shelf is handmade to order and cut to your measurements, so it fits your alcove snugly rather than leaving a gap. Bespoke sizes are standard, not an extra.
Should I choose floating or bracket alcove shelves?
Floating alcove shelves give the cleanest, built-in look with no visible supports, and suit lighter to medium loads. Bracket shelves carry more weight and suit a heavy run of books. Both work in an alcove, so it comes down to the look you want and what will sit on them.
What wood are your alcove shelves made from?
Solid oak and pine, both solid timber all the way through and finished by hand. Oak is hard wearing with a fine grain, while pine is warmer and takes paint well if you want the shelves to blend into a painted alcove.
Can alcove shelves be fitted to plasterboard walls?
Most can, but the weight they hold is reduced compared with a solid wall. For plasterboard we recommend fixing into the studs or using suitable heavy duty fixings. Please note our floating shelves are best suited to solid walls.
How much weight can alcove shelves hold?
Fixed into solid masonry or timber studs, they comfortably hold everyday items like books, jars and decor. The exact capacity depends on your wall type and fixings, and on whether you choose floating or bracket shelves.
Can I have several shelves at matching spacing in one alcove?
Yes, a stack of shelves at even spacing is one of the most popular alcove looks. Order the lengths to match your alcove and set them at equal gaps when fitting for a neat, built-in finish.
Do the shelves need to fit wall to wall?
Not necessarily. A snug, wall-to-wall fit gives the most built-in look, but you can leave a small margin if you prefer. Tell us the fit you want and we cut to suit.
How should I care for my alcove shelves?
A light dust and an occasional wipe with a dry or slightly damp cloth is all they need. Avoid harsh chemicals and prolonged water contact to keep the finish looking its best.