In a world of fast furniture and disposable home goods, finding a storage solution that adapts to your life is a rarity. Most shelving units are static objects; once built, they remain fixed in size and purpose until they no longer fit your needs and are discarded. Lundia Shelving is different. It is built on a philosophy of modularity, longevity, and adaptability.
What makes a Lundia Open Shelving Unit unique is that it is not just a piece of furniture—it is a system. It is designed to grow with you. Whether you are moving into your first flat, expanding a home office, or reorganising a family living room, our shelving can be configured, reconfigured, and expanded to suit the space perfectly. This guide walks you through the simple process of building your perfect setup, from the initial base unit to future expansions.
Step 1: Choose Your Base Unit
The foundation of any Lundia system is the base unit. This acts as the starting point for your storage wall. Because our system is made from solid Scandinavian pine, even the base structure offers robust stability and a timeless aesthetic.
When selecting your base unit, consider the height of your room and how much vertical storage you require. Our standard uprights typically come in heights such as 208 cm, which maximises storage in most standard UK rooms without feeling imposing.
You also need to decide on the width of your starter bay. Common widths include:
- 50 cm: Ideal for narrow alcoves or tight corners.
- 80 cm: A versatile standard width suitable for most uses.
- 100 cm: Perfect for maximizing linear wall space.
Finally, consider the depth. A 30 cm depth is the classic choice for a Lundia Open Shelving Unit. It is deep enough to hold large books, files, and dinner plates, yet slim enough not to encroach on your living space.
Step 2: Select Your Shelf Sizes
Once you have the frame, it is time to populate it with shelves. The beauty of the Lundia system is that you are not stuck with fixed shelf positions. You can place shelves at any interval to suit the items you need to store.
Choose shelf sizes that match your base unit width (50 cm, 80 cm, or 100 cm). Think about what you plan to store:
- Books and heavy items: Solid pine shelves are incredibly strong, but for extremely heavy loads (like vinyl records), narrower spans (50 cm or 80 cm) offer the highest rigidity.
- Display and decor: For lighter items like plants, photos, and vases, wider 100 cm shelves create a lovely, open horizontal line that looks elegant in living rooms.
Remember, you can always purchase extra shelves later if you decide to change the spacing.
Step 3: Add Essential Accessories
The structural integrity of your Open Shelving Unit relies on a few small but mighty components.
- Shelf Pins: These are the small supports that hold your shelves in place. They allow for easy adjustment of shelf heights without tools.
- Cross Braces: These are crucial for stability. A cross brace is attached to the back of the unit to prevent side-to-side wobble (racking). It ensures your unit stands square and solid.
- Wedges/Fixings: Depending on the specific configuration, you might use wedges or screws to secure components firmly.
Beyond the essentials, you can customise the functionality with optional add-ons. If you want to hide clutter, consider integrating doors to create a cupboard section at the bottom. For small office supplies or bedroom accessories, drawer units can be slotted into the system, transforming open shelves into a multifunctional storage hub.
Step 4: Positioning Your Unit
Where and how you place your shelving is just as important as the components you choose.
Wall vs. Freestanding
While Lundia units are sturdy, we always recommend anchoring tall units to the wall for safety, especially in homes with children or pets. This prevents tipping and adds an extra layer of stability.
Spacing
If you are installing multiple bays side-by-side, ensure you have measured your wall accurately, accounting for skirting boards or light switches. Because the uprights share the load in a continuous run, you save space compared to placing separate bookcases next to each other.
Load-Bearing Advice
Place your heaviest items (like encyclopaedias or printer equipment) on the lower shelves. This lowers the centre of gravity of the unit, making it more stable. Lighter, decorative items work best on the upper shelves to keep the room feeling airy.
Step 5: How to Expand Later
The true magic of Lundia happens years down the line. Perhaps you have moved house and now have a longer wall to fill, or maybe your book collection has simply outgrown the original shelves.
Expanding your Lundia Open Shelving Unit is simple. You don't need to buy a whole new bookcase. Instead, you purchase "extension bays." An extension bay consists of just one upright and a set of shelves, which attach directly to your existing unit. This allows you to grow your storage infinitely in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
You can also reconfigure the internal layout. If you turn a bedroom into a home office, you can remove a clothing rail (if used) and add extra shelves for files. If you want to refresh the look, you can sand down the solid pine and apply a new oil, wax, or paint finish.
Longevity and Upgradability
Investing in Lundia is investing in the future. By choosing a modular system, you are rejecting the "throwaway culture" of modern furnishings. Your shelving unit is designed to be repaired, expanded, and adapted, ensuring it remains a functional and beautiful part of your home for decades.
Whether you start small with a single bay or commission a full wall library, the flexibility of Lundia means you never have to worry about outgrowing your furniture. It evolves as you do.
