Shelving units have come a long way since milk crate chic. The following images rethink what a bookcase or other shelving unit is, and they all deliver a remarkably innovative product.
Whether it is the same sex concept piece, or upcycled tin drums being used to store your personal belongings, the following pieces are quirky and creative.
What is really interesting about these shelving units is that they can serve not only a functional role within the home, but they are also without question artistic pieces. Their shapes, use of color or simply the execution of their overall concept, will make you want to toss out that bookcase that came with your place in favor or something more visually appealing.
40 Quirky Shelving Space Savers
Amazing Shelves, From the Upcycled to Intentionally Skewed:
Christopher DeLuca — May 12, 2011 — Art & Design
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Sustainable Stackable Shelves
The Dany Gilles 800g Library Makes Interlocking Eco Storage
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Space-Saving Escritoires
The 'K Workstation' Exploits Your Wall and Not Your Floor
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Anti-Gravity Furniture
Designer Florian Gross Creates Modern Shelving System for Konnex
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Whimsical Shelving Systems
String Furniture Features Stylish Storing Units
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Modern Entertainment Centers
The Acerbis TV Wall Unit is a Smart Design for the Idiot Box
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Forest Novel Shelving
These Tree Branch Shelves are Adorable and Creative Pieces of Decor
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Super Skinny Housing
The Mount Fuji Architects Studio Near House is Ultra Slim
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2D Illusion Shelving
The Bias of Thoughts Bookshelf Takes on a Three-Dimensional Personality
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Quirky Mix'n'Match Shelving
'Half of Retail' Shelves Have Formal and Functional Versatility
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Windswept Shelves
The Saba Italia 2010 Collection Will Make You Calm and Content
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Honeycomb Wall Shelves
The Bookshelf Comb is Both Creative and Practical
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Seat-Topped Shelves
Younes Duret's Ransa Sofa Compromises Between Space and Storage
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Organically Tilting Furniture
The 'Twin Shelves' are Inspired by Voronoi's Tessellation
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Branching Transformer Shelves
The IVY Modular Shelving Systems Seamlessly Change Shape
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Suspended Bookshelves
Adrien De Melo's Upside Down Library
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Sound System Shelves
The Finite Elemente Hohrizontal 51
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Geeky Gamer Shelves
Sharon Romang's Tetris Shelves are Fun and Reconfigurable
22
Tactile Retail Shelving
Aesop Saint-Honore Display by March Studio Adds Artful Layers of Space
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Soft Bookworm Storage
The Silicone Catalyst Shelf Has a Built-In Bookmark
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Upcycled Oil Drum Cabinets
These Schrank Oil Can Cupboards Create Industrial Chic Storage
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Bookwork Wing-Back Shelves
The 'Tatik' by Tembolat Gugkaev is Designed to Seat and Store
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Feline-Friendly Bookshelves
The Corentin Dombrecht Cat-Library is the Perfect Perch for Puss
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Miniature Bag Cabinets
The Home Traveller by Anne Lorenz Saves Spaces
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Recycled Magazine Shelves
The National Geographic Shelf is an Adventurous Creation
15
Snazzy Digital Shelving
These Parametric Bookshelves by Caterina Tiazzoldi Will Rock Your World
14
Wheelbarrow Bookshelves
Nils Holger Moorman Creates Fun Designs for Book Lovers
13
Vice Clamp Bookshelves
Francesco Polare Designs the Newton Bookshelf, Adding Art to Shelving
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Flatpack Flexible Shelving
The Matthias Ries Piegato Shelves are Interactive Protruding Perches
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Cushioned Open Cabinetry
Succession Shelves by Fredrik Farg Offer a Soft Interior Style
10
Minimalist Modular Furniture Sets
Collin Schaelli Designs No Frills Furniture Sets
9
Strap-On Bookshelves
The Read-Unread Bookshelf Encourages You to Read More
8
Space-Saving TV Shelves
The Able Bay Screendeck Turns Your Entertainment Space into Storage
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Intentionally Skewed Shelving
The Ivy Shelf from Thomas Bernstrand
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Illuminating Bookshelves
Piastra by Flussocreativo Shines a Spotlight on Your Book Collection
5
Techie Wine Racks
The Wave Ultra Sonic Wine Ager & Refrigerator Tells You if Your Wine is Spoiled
4
Boat-Like Bookcases
With the Canoe Bookshelf, Books Won't Have to Sink or Swim
3
Adjustable Kiddie Bookshelves
The Bookend Shelf by Kerri Lee is an Eco-Friendly Design
2
Split-Legged Shelves
The Ballerina Shelf by Both Left is a Super-Flexible Storage Solution
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Same-Sex Bookshelves
The Equal Opportunity 'I Love You Library' by Samaldesign
Related Ideas
Branching Paperback Perches
The Olivier Dolle Book Shelf Never Ceases to Be a Tree
Sustainable Stackable Shelves
The Dany Gilles 800g Library Makes Interlocking Eco Storage
Cavernous Shelving Units
The Cave-Like Wooden Installation is a Grand Retail Display
Gridded Interior Abodes
Kazuya Morita Designs a Haven for Bookworms
Classy Bookcase Carvings
'Vintage' from Munkii is Deceptively Elegant
70 Creative Designer Shelves
From Leafy Lockers to Spider Web Bookcases
Spectacular Paper Sculptures (UPDATE)
These Awesome Calvin Nicholls Artworks Bring Paper to Life
Salvaged Tree Furniture
Urban Tree Salvage Creates Awesome Rugged Equipment
Stepladder Drawers
Climb the Staircase Storage Solution and Save Space with Ease
Flat-Pack Wooden Furniture
Pedersen + Lennard's Ingvar Range is Inspired by IKEA
Chaotic Clutter Solutions
The Tensor Voting Wire-Frame Shelf Achieves Order Through Disorder
Corrugated Cave Displays
March Studio Piles Up Boxes to Promote Aesop
Stripped-Down Furniture Designs
William Raffredi Designs Bare-Bones Lamps and Shelves
Designer DIY Furniture
The Max Lamb 'Third' Empowers Consumers to be Creators
Freestanding Eclectic Closets
Beaugars by Meike Langer Serves as Varied Vertical Storage
Simplistic Shelf Designs
The Wink Shelf by Udo Schill Has Built-In Bookends
Distorted Wooden Artworks
Tony Cragg Creates Vivid Bronze and Wood-Warped Sculptures
Forest Novel Shelving
These Tree Branch Shelves are Adorable and Creative Pieces of Decor
Construction Site Stores
The SS11 Dover Street Market Unites Port-a-Potties and Apparel
Multi-Function Furnishings
The Kitchen Sofa Provides Style and Functionality
Invisible Eco Houses
The Marco Bernardini Age House Saves You Money
Indoor Garden Cabinets
KasKast Greenhouse Provides Edible Plants in the Home
Custom Retro Furniture
Jory Brigham's Customized Cabinet Collection is Totally Rad
Staircase Storage
These Unicraft Joinery Step Drawers Offer a Convenient Place to Store Things
Auto-Inspired Furnishings
Slava'Saakyan Automotive Line Brings the Benz to the Bedroom
2D Illusion Shelving
The Bias of Thoughts Bookshelf Takes on a Three-Dimensional Personality
Barely-There Furniture
Richard Shed Studio Creates Half Shelves and Tables
Cascading Cube Furniture
Dancing Squares from Nendo are Artistic Interior Objects
Quirky Mix'n'Match Shelving
'Half of Retail' Shelves Have Formal and Functional Versatility
Shelfed Seating
The MUS Sofa by Francesc Rife Boasts a Built-In Ledge-Like Table
Chic Living Room Libraries
Montana Mobler Helps You Organize Your Own Personal Library
Funhouse Furniture Displays
H & M Home Reflections Advertised Its Line from All Angles
Geometric Jigsaw Seating
The Elemento Diseno Bi Chairs Flip Up to Form Tables and Shelves
Traditional Carriage Seating
The 'Pimp Souk' Collection Brings Morocco's Style to the U.S.
Branching Transformer Shelves
The IVY Modular Shelving Systems Seamlessly Change Shape
Suspended Bookshelves
Adrien De Melo's Upside Down Library
Book Storage Seating
The Fishbol Bookseat is the Ultimate Bookworm Lounger
Strategy Game Furniture
The Chinese Checkered Bookshelf Features Movable Chess Pieces
Shape-Shifting Shelves
The DreiX Balanced Shelf Can be Rearranged in a Multitude of Ways
Footwear Filing Cabinets
Pedro Gomes' FILE IT Brings Order to the Shoe Closet
Transforming Sofas
The Gig Couch by Davide Tonizzo Can be Used in Multiple Ways
Bookshelf Tabletops
The Library Exhibi-Table Shows Off Your Reading Collection
Side Table Sofas
The Slow Sofa is a Modular Couch With Attached End Tables
Faux Library Finishes
This Vintage Bookshelf Wallpaper Makes Your Home Intellectual
Prickly Storage Drawers
Sebastian Errazuriz's Porcupine-Inspired Cabinet
Compact Multi-Use Moveables
'Trick' by Sakura Adachi is a Shelving Unit and a Dining Set
Design Site Pop-Up Shops
The Dezeen 'Temporium' Will Unfold to Offer the Best in Designer Objects
Transforming Chopstick Furniture
The Yuya Ushida Sofa Can Expand and Contract
Warped Wooden Furniture
The 'Volumptuous' Sidetable by Edward Johnson is a Distinct Piece
Crafty Furniture Sets
Claire Anne O'Brien's Knit Stools are a Fresh Take on the Stumpy Seat
Interactive Ballet Storefronts
Passersby Change Ballerina's Image in the Repetto Window Display
Stackable Circular Storage
Contemporary Flexi Shelving Provides Cylindrical Storage Solutions
Tactile Retail Shelving
Aesop Saint-Honore Display by March Studio Adds Artful Layers of Space
Soft Bookworm Storage
The Silicone Catalyst Shelf Has a Built-In Bookmark
Intricate Interlaid Furniture
The Linteloo Tables are Innovative, Unconventional and Refreshing
Bookworm Fireplaces
Snuggle Up to a Warm Fire and Hot Cocoa with the Helios Fireplace
Rad Rainbow Furniture
The Hybrid Table Adds a Splash of Colour to Any Interior Space
Shipping Crate Shop Interiors
This Wine Store by OOS Design is Fully Stocked With Spirits
Feline-Friendly Bookshelves
The Corentin Dombrecht Cat-Library is the Perfect Perch for Puss
Fallen Log Seating
Toby Horrocks' Freefold Furniture Features a Seat-Bookshelf Hybrid
Classy Gamer Decor
The Donkey Kong Wall is Perfect for Grown-Up Gamers
Bloody Holiday Branding
Gianfranco Pampaloni's Valentine's Day Store Display is Really Bizarre
Lopsided Storage Systems
The Tilted 'Twisted Shelf' by Dylan Gold
Snazzy Digital Shelving
These Parametric Bookshelves by Caterina Tiazzoldi Will Rock Your World
Wheelbarrow Recliners
The Loungebarrow is a Quirky, Fun, and Surprisingly Comfortable Seat
Wheelbarrow Bookshelves
Nils Holger Moorman Creates Fun Designs for Book Lovers
Puzzle Piece Furniture Sets
Pal Rodenius Designs a Self-Assembled Furniture Set for DIYers
Shelving Unit Homes
The Balmain House Slots in Plenty of Sunlight
Jigsaw Display Surfaces
B+N Cantilever Tables Can Be Uncoupled and Arrayed
Modern Cubby-Like Shelving
Rock Candy is the Latest Project From Thomas Wold
Flatpack Flexible Shelving
The Matthias Ries Piegato Shelves are Interactive Protruding Perches
Blueprint Cabinets
Minale Maeda Outlines the Schematics of their Latest Furniture
Parody Pundit Couches
The Stephen Colbert Couch is for Die-Hard Fans of the Colbert Report
Designer Cubicle Storages
Object by Minus Tio Adds Style & Luxury to the Home
Intentionally Skewed Shelving
The Ivy Shelf from Thomas Bernstrand
Mounted Magazine Displays
The COEN! FOLDR Showcases Well-Designed Covers
Modular Globe Plants
Tomas Saraceno Grows a Series of Plants in His Habitable Floating Platforms
Reorganized Clutter Compositions
Dabito's Thrifty Boredom Vignettes Give Decor Diversity
Fantasy Temple Retail Windows
The Diesel Black Gold Windows Display Luxury & Imagination
Retro Audio Furniture
The Silla Cassette Tape Chair is Retro Upcycling at its Best
Iconic Film Furniture
The Marilyn Lounge Chair is Inspired by Famous Scene in The Seven Year Itch
Ancient Landmark Seating
The Colosseum Sofa Gives a Roman Flair to Your Home Decor
Movie-Reel Shelving
The Toboga Bookcase by Tarcisio Colzani Spices Up Your Living Area
Illuminating Bookshelves
Piastra by Flussocreativo Shines a Spotlight on Your Book Collection
Shape-Shifting Storage
The Chung-Tang Ho Push and Store Cabinet
Puzzling Stools
Piece Together the Pieces of the Pallares Chair by Carlos Cordoba
Trashy Wheelbarrows
Duncan Campbell's G.C.U. Makes Life Easier for Garbage Collectors
Petite Homey Shelving
‘Under My Roof' by Christian Vivanco is a Cute Space-Saver
Ruggedly Crafted Shelving
Joost Van Bleiswijk's Furniture has the Look and Feel of Shop Class
Curvaceous Plywood Furniture
Craig Siebeneck's Idea Bench Has a Challenging Yet Inviting Presence
Athletic Wheelbarrows
Sledbarrow Provides Multifunction Physical Workouts