Loft Metal Shelves

Custom metal shelving units: a black open shelving unit from floor to ceiling that separates the living room from the dining area. We made the frames at our production site, packed them and shipped them to the client.

A partition that lets light through

The unit stands between the sofa and the dining table and works as a partition: there is zoning, but no wall. It has no back panel, so light from the window passes straight through and the room is not split into two dark halves. The frame is built from thin square tube and painted matt black. Metal makes it possible to take the structure up to the ceiling with slim uprights; a board-built unit of the same height would look noticeably heavier.

An asymmetric pattern

Five levels of thin dark shelves are set at different heights: the lower tiers are shorter, the middle ones taller, for vases and larger objects. The vertical links between the shelves shift from tier to tier. As a result the frame reads as a graphic pattern and does not look empty even with only a couple of things on it. In a light interior the black lines bring a loft character without brick or concrete. More on this approach is in our guide to industrial style.

Making and packing

Before shipping we wrap the finished frames in protective film so that the painted surface arrives without scratches. The production photo shows two frames of different heights, ready to go. We use the same technique for both furniture and shop fittings: the desk and shelf unit on a black metal frame and the tall shelving for a decor shop. Another retail example is the shelving for bottles and tableware on a black frame.

A unit like this suits an open-plan flat where zones need to be divided without losing light. How we work is described on the about the manufacturer page.