Shelving & Cabinets

Freestanding and wall-mounted shelving units are some of the largest and most effective storage and organization solutions you can implement in your home. This category of storage unit includes bookcases, modular shelving units, shelving systems, freestanding cabinets, and more. Made with multiple shelves, cabinets, or other storage compartments, these shelving units can keep numerous items organized all in one place. To choose the right storage shelves and cabinets for your home, first consider the different types of shelving units available.

Contemporary Shelving Unit Types

Shelving units can differ vastly in size, shape, materials, and other features, so it’s good to start by identifying the mounting style you’d prefer. Shelving units and cabinets can be either freestanding or wall-mounted, meaning they can either stand freely on the floor (sometimes with the support of wall anchors, for safety) or secure to a wall.

Contemporary Freestanding Shelving Units & Cabinets

Freestanding shelving units are visually pleasing and versatile, and can be better for more temporary storage or display setups, like in a rental for example. The most basic freestanding shelving units are industrial metal shelving units composed of a simple frame and height-adjustable shelves. Adjustable metal shelving units like these are ideal if you’d like to store items of different heights in the same place – they make great garage storage or workshop shelving options. Adjustable shelves from HAY are made of powder-coated steel.

Bookcases are freestanding shelving units which lend themselves to placement almost anywhere. They are so-called because they’re most often used to display books; however, bookcases can be used to store and display almost anything, from kitchenware in the kitchen to art and decor elsewhere in the home. Bookcases can have anywhere from two basic shelves in a single column to more than eighteen bookshelves, spread out over three columns. Contemporary bookcases are typically wood bookcases featuring oak or walnut wood finishes or powder-coated steel or aluminum bookcases with bright, shiny finishes. For small and large bookcases alike, explore the New Order Bookshelf collection, complete with red, grey, and black bookcases featuring three to eighteen shelves and additional closed-door cabinets.

Freestanding storage units also include freestanding cabinet units. On the shorter side, these storage units may sometimes be called credenzas or sideboards, which typically feature one row of two or more closed-door cabinets. Taller freestanding cabinets like those you’ll find at HAY may have one to three cabinets, arranged horizontally or vertically, with or without sliding glass cabinet doors. These colorful cabinets are versatile and can make excellent kitchen cabinets, media storage units, or display cases.

Contemporary Wall-Mounted Shelving Units & Cabinets

Wall-mounted storage units are more permanent storage solutions that can make good use of otherwise unused wall space. Wall-mounted storage units are great for small or multipurpose spaces where utilizing wall space above other furniture or appliances may be essential. With wall storage units and wall cabinets, it’s important to note the weight-bearing capabilities of your walls as well as the weight limits of the shelves and cabinets themselves to prevent the storage unit from becoming a hazard.

Contemporary Modular Shelving Systems

Modular shelving systems are collections of different shelving components that can be configured into custom arrangements, made according to your specifications and storage needs. They can be either freestanding or wall-mounted, and may be configured with any number of components, including but not limited to: shelves, open or closed-door cabinets, and hanging rods. They can be arranged in one or more columns (or “bays”) with however many shelves or storage components you’d like. Many modular shelving systems also feature adjustable shelves so you can further customize your ideal storage unit. Modular shelving systems can help you make the most of your storage solutions, as you can fine-tune your shelving unit’s specifications so it best suits the size and needs of your space. At HAY, shop the Pier modular shelving system, a flexible shelving solution for optimizing any room in your home.

Learn more about the design of HAY shelving in HAY's Studio Visit with designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.