Transform Your Space with Smart Storage
Every home in Exeter - from compact city flats to spacious Victorian houses - needs good storage. After 18 years of fitting shelves and storage solutions, I've learned that the right setup transforms how you live.
All Wall Types
Victorian solid brick, modern plasterboard, or anything in between - I know the correct fixings.
Custom Solutions
Off-the-shelf or bespoke - I'll help design storage that fits your exact space and needs.
Perfectly Level
Spirit level precision every time. Your shelves will be straight, stable, and safe.
Shelving & Storage Services
1. Floating Shelves
The clean, modern look - shelves with no visible brackets:
Standard Floating Shelves
- Small (60-90cm) - £50-£70 per shelf (supply & fit)
- Medium (100-150cm) - £65-£95 per shelf
- Large (150-200cm) - £85-£120 per shelf
- Extra-long (200cm+) - £100-£150 per shelf (requires additional support)
Installation Only (Customer Supplies Shelves)
- Per shelf - £35-£55 depending on size and wall type
- Multiple shelves - Discount applies (e.g., 3+ shelves)
Popular Uses:
- Living room display shelves for photos, ornaments
- Kitchen open shelving (trendy alternative to wall cabinets)
- Bathroom toiletries and towel storage
- Bedroom floating bedside shelves
- Home office - desk area shelving
2. Alcove Shelving
Exeter's Victorian properties are full of alcoves. Don't waste that space!
Simple Alcove Shelves
- Wooden shelf boards on brackets
- 3-shelf unit - £120-£180
- 5-shelf unit (floor to ceiling) - £180-£280
- Custom spacing to fit your items
Built-In Alcove Units
- Floor-to-ceiling fitted shelving
- Painted to match walls or natural timber finish
- Optional cupboard base for hidden storage
- Price: £300-£600 per alcove (depends on height, finish, extras)
- Advantage: Looks like original Victorian fitted furniture, adds value
Why Alcove Shelving?
- Maximizes Space - Dead space becomes useful storage
- Looks Built-In - Custom fit looks professional, not DIY
- Perfect for Victorian/Edwardian - Sympathetic to period features
- Book Storage - Ideal for libraries (Exeter readers love this)
3. Garage & Shed Storage
Get your garage organized once and for all:
Heavy-Duty Shelving
- Metal or thick timber shelving for tools, paint, garden supplies
- 4-shelf unit (1.8m high x 1.2m wide) - £95-£140 supply & fit
- Wall-mounted or freestanding
- Weight capacity: up to 100kg per shelf
Overhead Storage
- Ceiling-mounted platforms for seasonal items, suitcases
- Makes use of wasted space above car
- Price: £120-£200 depending on size
Tool Storage Systems
- Pegboard walls for tools
- Slatwall panels for flexible organization
- Workbench installation
- Price: £150-£350 for complete system
4. Kitchen Storage Solutions
Pantry Shelving
- Custom shelving for pantry cupboards
- Adjustable heights for different foods
- £80-£150 per cupboard
Under-Stairs Storage
- Bespoke shelving or pull-out drawers
- Maximizes awkward space
- £200-£450 depending on complexity
Plate Racks & Spice Shelves
- Small custom solutions that make big differences
- £50-£120
5. Bedroom Storage
Wardrobe Interiors
- Add shelving to existing fitted wardrobes
- Shoe racks, tie racks, dividers
- £70-£180 depending on extent
Over-Bed Storage
- Shelving above headboard (careful positioning required)
- £75-£130
- Safety note: Must be securely wall-mounted
6. Children's Room Storage
Toy Storage
- Low-level shelving children can reach
- Box storage systems
- £90-£180
Book Shelves
- Forward-facing display shelves for picture books
- Traditional shelving for older children
- £60-£120
Safety Priority: All children's room shelving is wall-mounted with anti-tip fixings. No shortcuts on children's safety.
Exeter Property Challenges & Solutions
Victorian & Edwardian Alcoves (Heavitree, St Leonards, Pennsylvania)
The classic chimney breast alcoves - perfect for shelving:
- Advantage: Solid brick walls hold heavy loads perfectly
- Challenge: Alcoves are never quite square (building movement over 100+ years)
- Solution: I measure each alcove individually and cut shelves to fit exactly
- Aesthetic: Can match painted shelves to walls or use stained timber for contrast
Modern Plasterboard Walls (Cranbrook, Monkerton)
Newer properties have lighter walls requiring different techniques:
- Method 1: Locate timber studs, fix directly to them (strongest method)
- Method 2: Use heavy-duty plasterboard anchors (up to 25kg per fixing)
- Method 3: Spread load across multiple fixings
- Weight limits: I'll advise what's safe for your wall type
Sloping Ceilings (Loft Conversions)
Many Exeter properties have converted lofts with awkward angles:
- Angled shelving that follows roof line
- Makes use of knee-wall spaces
- Custom solutions for awkward shapes
- £150-£350 depending on complexity
Student Accommodation
Landlords often need storage solutions that maximize small bedrooms:
- Vertical shelving (floor to ceiling) maximizes space
- Robust fixings (student wear and tear)
- Cost-effective solutions that add value
- Bulk pricing available for multiple properties
Materials & Finishes
Timber Shelves
Solid Pine
- Traditional, warm appearance
- Can be varnished, waxed, or painted
- Good for alcoves, pantries, general use
- Budget-friendly
Oak
- Premium hardwood, beautiful grain
- Very strong, long-lasting
- Perfect for floating shelves (nice edge detail)
- More expensive but worth it for feature shelves
MDF (Painted)
- Smooth painted finish
- Modern, clean look
- Can match wall color perfectly
- Cost-effective for large projects
Ready-Made Systems
IKEA Systems (LACK, EKET, BILLY add-ons)
- I can install any IKEA shelving system
- Popular LACK floating shelves - £35-£50 installation each
- EKET modular units - £120-£200 installation
B&Q / Homebase Systems
- Wide range of brackets and boards
- I know what works well (and what doesn't)
- Can advise on purchases and install
What's Included
Every Installation Includes:
- ✓ Site measurement and planning
- ✓ Wall assessment (finding studs, checking for cables/pipes)
- ✓ Professional installation with appropriate fixings
- ✓ Spirit level accuracy - perfectly straight
- ✓ Wall plugs, screws, brackets (all hardware included)
- ✓ Cleanup of drilling dust/debris
- ✓ Load test (I'll test shelves can hold expected weight)
- ✓ Touch-up paint if needed (minor marks from drilling)
Real Exeter Storage Projects
The Heavitree Victorian Library
Couple in Heavitree with 500+ books and two perfect alcoves either side of their chimney breast. Built floor-to-ceiling alcove shelving in both alcoves - 10 shelves each side. Used 25mm pine, painted to match the walls. Now looks like original Victorian built-ins. Total cost £580 for both alcoves. Customer said it added thousands to their home's value (estate agent confirmed this when they later sold).
The Cranbrook Garage Transformation
Family in Cranbrook with chaotic garage - tools everywhere, couldn't park the car. Installed: 8m of heavy-duty wall shelving, overhead storage platform, pegboard tool wall, and a small workbench. Took a full day but transformed the space completely. They can now park both cars and find any tool in seconds. Cost £420 all in.
The Student House Bedroom Solution
Landlord in Pennsylvania with 6 identical small bedrooms. Needed cost-effective storage for students. Designed a system: 3 floating shelves per room (books, ornaments) + shoe rack in each wardrobe. Bulk pricing applied - £360 for all 6 rooms. Done in one day. Students moving in loved them - landlord got premium rent.
Common Questions About Shelving
How Much Weight Can Shelves Hold?
Depends on several factors:
- Wall Type: Victorian solid brick = very strong (50kg+ easy). Plasterboard = lighter loads (10-25kg depending on fixings)
- Shelf Material: 25mm pine = strong. 18mm MDF = lighter loads. 40mm oak = very strong
- Shelf Length: Longer shelves need more support or thicker material
- Bracket Spacing: Closer brackets = more weight capacity
Rule of Thumb: Tell me what you're storing and I'll design accordingly. Books are heavy - I plan for that. Ornaments are light - different approach.
How Do You Make Floating Shelves Actually Float?
Hidden bracket systems:
- Steel rods fixed into wall (through hollow shelf)
- Heavy-duty brackets recessed into shelf back
- French cleat system for very heavy loads
The bracket is completely hidden inside or behind the shelf - looks like it's floating.
Can You Match Existing Woodwork?
Often, yes:
- I can match paint colors exactly (bring paint sample or I'll mix to match)
- Wood stains can be matched closely (test piece shown first)
- For period properties, I can source reclaimed timber that matches
Pricing Summary
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Single floating shelf (supply & fit) | £50-£120 |
| Shelf installation only (your shelf) | £35-£55 |
| Simple alcove shelving (3-5 shelves) | £120-£280 |
| Built-in alcove unit | £300-£600 |
| Garage heavy-duty shelving unit | £95-£140 |
| Under-stairs storage | £200-£450 |
Note: Prices include materials unless stated otherwise. Discounts available for multiple shelves/rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install shelves I've already bought?
Absolutely. Installation-only service available. Just ensure the shelves come with brackets/fixings, or I'll advise what's needed. Common with IKEA purchases - many customers buy the shelves but want professional installation.
Will you check for hidden cables/pipes before drilling?
Always. I use a cable/pipe detector on every job. Victorian properties have different wiring routes than modern builds - I know the likely cable runs for each property type. Safety first, always.
Can floating shelves really hold books?
Yes, if installed properly with correct fixings and shelf thickness. I use hidden bracket systems rated for the load. On solid walls, floating shelves can easily hold 20-30kg. On plasterboard, I'll use multiple heavy-duty anchors or find studs. I'll advise what's safe for your specific wall.
How long does installation take?
Single shelf: 30-45 minutes. Set of 3-5 shelves: 1.5-2 hours. Full alcove unit: 3-5 hours. Garage storage system: 3-6 hours. I work efficiently but never rush - precision matters for shelves.
What if my walls aren't straight?
Common in older Exeter properties. I use packing pieces or scribing techniques to ensure shelves are level even if walls aren't. The shelves will look perfect even if the building has settled over time.
Can you help me design a storage solution?
Yes - free design consultation included. I'll measure your space, discuss what you need to store, and suggest the best solution. Sometimes the obvious approach isn't the best one - 18 years experience helps me spot better alternatives.
Do you supply materials or can I buy my own?
Either works. I can supply everything (saves you time, ensures I have exactly what's needed). Or you can buy your own (I'll specify exact requirements). Installation pricing works either way.
How to Get Started
Measure Your Space
Width, height, depth. Or I can measure for you - free site survey included with any quote.
Send Photos
Text or WhatsApp photos of the space to 07766 501664. Include measurements if you have them.
Get Quote & Book
I'll provide a detailed quote within hours. Once approved, typical installation within 1 week.
Other Services You Might Need
Many storage projects combine well with:
- Painting & Decorating - Paint shelves, refresh the room
- Furniture Assembly - Wardrobes, cupboards, storage units
- General Repairs - Fix up the room while installing shelving