When it comes to industrial shelving, I’m a total groupie. Why? This stuff is everything a significant other should be. Read on for details.
First of all, it’s multifunctional.
Talk about furniture that’s seriously able to rock and roll with life’s little changes. Want some professional shelving in your gourmet kitchen? No problem.
Looking for a no fuss solution for your loft style spa bath? It’s got that covered too. Office storage module, garage organizers, dorm room entertainment center, food storage, laundry room furniture . . . This stuff can rock and roll wherever you need it to.
It’s super low maintenance.
Guys, are you with me? Sanding, dusting, refinishing and taking care not to leave water spots are all concerns that go out the window when industrial shelving becomes your furniture of choice. Bonus? It’s dirt cheap. Talk about designing on a dime.
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
The sets I’ve had over the years have seriously “done me right”. Move after move, drop after drop, and most recently through a pretty serious flood. (More on that in an upcoming post.) It still looks great, and can still transition from garage storage to kitchen shelving whenever I need it to. Gotta. Love. That.
If you’re looking for furniture you can flat pack, take anywhere, and use hard for years to come in various rooms throughout the house, this affordable resource from your nearest box store is not likely to let you down.
Related Readings: Metro Shelving in Your Classroom, Teaching Tools for the Floating Educator and Penny-Pinching Ways to Pimp Your Garage.
The photo you used was credited to Lowe's... is that where you bought your shelving?
Another good resource for multi-functional household goods is a professional chef supply store. Just about every metropolitan location has one, and you can get great deals not only on shelving, but on professional-quality pots, pans, and containers of every size.
Given the recent downturn in retail spending, you may be able to find very inexpensive shelves, etc. from stores that are closing.
I have that same shelving and I bought mine at Lowe's. I used it as extra storage space in the kitchen for a few years though my clutter kept it from being as attractive as yours. When we remodeled the kitchen, I moved it to the utility room.
My husband would be able to tell you that the title of this post directly maps to me as well.
I LOVE these shelves. If you are looking on craigslist for used versions, these shelves are often referred to as "Metro" shelves and can be purchased from the Container Store or Storables as well as the restaurant supply stores mentioned by Julie. (Oh, and another search tip is to look for various spellings of shelves...shelf, shelve, shelfs...people really have a great variety of spellings for these.)
Metro was apparently the first brand of these shelves, but once the generics started showing up on the market, they have been showed up everywhere. One thing to note is that while some parts can be mixed and matched, it's best to stick to the same source of cross shelves for your set. For example, while the posts from storables and the container store can be interchanged, the 36" x 18" shelves are just slightly off in size so it's important to use all the same type of shelving on the same setup. (Though I've been able to get away with mixing if I use one kind at the top and a different kind at the bottom, but I don't recommend it!!!)
Also, take a look at the really cool accessories that you can find for these units. The accessories seem to fit on any brand for the most part. The exception to this may be the plastic or wood overlays for the shelves. I specifically like the baskets and hooks that you can add on the fly (and not have to take your unit apart to do so!!!).
http://www.storables.com/Shop/Shelving/Steel-Shelving/
With the right accessories you can set up some really nice wardrobe/closet setups (with canvas cover even!) or kitchen stations (storables has butcher-block quality overlays).
You can tell I'm a bit of a geek where it comes to this stuff.
I really like the industrial shelving that has the casters on the bottom. Extra-sturdy storage, plus some portability, what more do you need? And like you, I just like the look of the stuff!
you should showcase your decorating tips and style on Radcribs.com http://hometour.radcribs.com
I'd like to put in a plug for modular wire shelves (the ones with square plates and plastic corner connectors). While they're not up to holding the extreme weight that a good industrial-style shelf can, they're easily arrangeable for whatever space you have, dividable for organizing in different rooms, handy for organizing things with lots of cables (think USB hubs+accessories or a charger nest), and can even serve in a pinch as basic furniture (side table, nightstand...)!
I got two sets when I started college, and during the next couple of years added one more. They've always been able to travel with me, and I still use them in my computer room and in my closet instead of a dresser.
This kind of shelving is useful, versatile and a great value. I have a bunch of these shelves in my garage, and inside of my closets. Also, you can get a version that rolls on wheels and has a faux-butcher block top. I've got several of these contributing countertop space in my kitchen.
Thanks for all the commentary, everyone.
Yes, I got the latest set of shelving at Lowes, where they also have great accessory add-ons, like pull out drawers and wine glass racks. But I have gotten some of the shelving that's still in military storage at other places like Sam's / Costco and Ikea. We really, really dig it.
And Julie, I'm totally with you on the moving it around thing. That's why I think it's such a great idea for people starting out. It's a cheap start up, and if your kitchen style changes later, it's absolutely perfect for more utilitarian rooms.
I completely agree with you on the industrial (chrome wire) shelving. They are easy to care for and still look so stylish no matter what room they are in.
Glad you stopped by. I wish I'd been more comfortable with the look when I was younger. It would have saved me loads of money and tons of moving stress. Oh well, I'm tuned in now . . .
The stuff with wheels on it is great too! It works in kitchens and even in more formal areas.
http://www.cisco-eagle.com/catalog/c-716-mobile-wire-shelving.aspx
If you are using these shelves for food storage, try the canorganizer.com for neat little can rotators at a great price!
Lovely photo that, and a great indicator of how fantastic industrial shelving can look in the homestead. I think the word ‘industrial’ can put a lot of people off, but as Myscha points out, its practicality simply outweighs all negatives. Probably the first time I’ve ever seen ‘shelving’ and ‘rock and roll’ in the same sentence, too!
These shelves are really useful. I have a bunch all over my house and garage. We love them! Thanks for the post.
When you think about it, Myscha's nailed it. Industrial shelving has a multitude of uses and the chrome shelving pictured is a great choice for around the home and it genuinely can be used anywhere without looking out of place; in the kitchen, the laundry room, the garage - it just...works. And you don't have to do anything to it, just put stuff on it.
Oh, and it's not expensive. And it's strong and lasts forever!
