Alcove shelving

[MarshaBrady0]

We’re doing a fair bit of stuff at home and for some reason the alcove shelving is a source of indecision.

I’ve had a few quotes which have come back with a couple of versions

1. Buy floating shelves in solid wood to fit and get a handyman type person to fit them, £165 installation plus cost of shelves
2. Get a carpenter to do it who has said he will use MDF, £100 per shelf unpainted

Alcove is 110cm wide, about 30cm deep and I’d like 4cm thick

Bit technical but it would be great to hear how others went about it or what’s best. Especially considering the potential weight of books etc

If you want 4cm thick then surely you should go for floating shelves? The advantage of mdf is that it's not 4cm thick, and might look less modern / more in keeping with an older house.

I did option 1 (bought from shelf direct) and it was a nightmare getting a handyman to even give me a quote. then the one that did clearly was not interested on arrival. seems like carpenters and tradesmen like to start from the beginning....not have you order something and then they will complain that they need to shave off a 32mm or two and it's going to take all day etc. I would choose option 2 unless you know a carpenter or handyman will definitely be happy to do it.

Thanks Banana and United

Just had another carpenter round who is also looking at the stairs so seems quite good at wood. He thinks MDF fixed as more stable than floating solid. Still not quite convinced, but will see what his quote is.

Shelfbar. Google them. Have them and am delighted. Dh fitted them, but a handyman could if you didn't want to do it. You can get oak but we had mdf and painted them white. They look amazing and are very reasonably priced.

Ps we have the heaviest books in the world on ours. That was my number 1 requirement that they wouldn't bow or collapse.

Thanks Diet, they do look good and like they'll hold the books well.

The customer service was fantastic too. Dealt with Philip and he shipped my order out to meet my unreasonable demands. Lovely man. Good luck with it all. Can't tell you how long I spent researching alcove shelves!!

Have you looked at jali.co.uk? Not the cheapest option but good quality and you can play around with their design tool. I've used them specifically for alcove shelving after the floating shelves I originally bought collapsed under the weight of the books I added to them - check the bracket limit not the shelving thickness! My carpenter then fitted it which was quick as the measurements are bespoke. He said he couldn't have provided the same detailing for the same money.They are also brilliant at book shelving. Product can also arrive pre-primed. I added cupboards to the bottom too which was an added bonus.

Brilliant thanks Pradaqueen , I haven’t looked there yet will check it out

Diet I agree I’ve spent too long on a small thing. Tg the living room already has some