Alcove shelving in Exeter
Professional alcove shelving services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Custom alcove shelving - scribed to fit your specific alcove with no gaps, properly supported for books and ornaments. Built-in storage that makes the most of dead space either side of chimney breasts.
Make Dead Space Work
Alcoves are brilliant storage opportunities - dead space either side of a chimney breast that's perfect for shelving, books, and display. But they're almost never square, which is why off-the-shelf solutions leave annoying gaps.
📚 Custom = perfect fit. Walls bow, corners angle, measurements vary. Scribed shelves follow every contour.
Why Custom Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Common Problems |
|---|---|
| Scribed to fit perfectly | Gaps visible everywhere |
| Properly supported | Sagging under weight |
| Looks built-in | Looks like an afterthought |
| Holds heavy books | Weight limit worries |
What You Get
🔧 Full Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Survey | Alcove measured carefully |
| Battens | Support rails fixed |
| Shelves | Cut and scribed to fit |
| Level | Each shelf checked |
| Finish | Caulked and ready |
📦 Material Options
- Painted MDF (most popular)
- Veneered boards
- Solid wood
- Plywood for contemporary look
Pricing Guide
| Scope | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single alcove (3-4 shelves) | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Both alcoves (6-8 shelves) | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
Perfect For...
✅ Living room alcoves - Books and display
✅ Both sides of chimney - Symmetrical storage
✅ Heavy book collections - Properly supported
✅ Period properties - Working with wonky walls
Why Choose Us for Alcove shelving in Exeter?
Scribed to fit your alcove perfectly - no gaps
Properly supported for books and heavy items
Choice of shelf depths and materials
Maximises dead space either side of chimney breast
What to Expect
Step 1: Survey & Plan
Alcove measured, shelf heights agreed, depth and material chosen, support method decided.
Step 2: Build
Support battens fitted, each shelf cut to template, scribed to walls, checked level, seated on supports.
Step 3: Finish
Edges finished cleanly, caulked where needed, ready for painting or loading.
🔧 DIY Tips
Building it yourself? Here's what matters:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Circular saw or jigsaw
- Spirit level
- Stud finder
- Pencil compass for scribing
- Drill
📐 Key steps
- Check for hidden pipes and cables
- Fit battens level and solid
- Template each shelf individually
- Scribe to follow wall contours
- Don't rely on one measurement
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Assuming alcove is square (it isn't)
- Using one measurement for all shelves
- Battens not into solid fixing
- Shelves too thin for weight
💡 Pro trick: Make a cardboard template for each shelf first. Trim until it fits perfectly, then transfer the shape to your actual shelf material. Much easier than trimming wood repeatedly.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Wait before loading - if shelves are painted, give paint time to cure before loading with heavy books. A couple of days lets the finish harden properly.
Planning heights:
- Paperbacks: 200mm clear height
- Hardbacks: 250-300mm clear height
- Art books: 350mm+ clear height
- Variable spacing is often best
Wall types:
- Solid walls are easy to fix into
- Stud walls need battens into studs
- I'll advise if wall prep is needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do alcoves need custom shelving?
Alcoves are never perfectly square - walls bow, corners aren't 90 degrees, measurements vary. Off-the-shelf solutions leave gaps. Custom shelving is scribed to fit your specific alcove, sitting flush with no visible gaps.
Can alcove shelves hold heavy books?
Yes - proper alcove shelving uses adequate thickness (18-25mm), appropriate material, and is supported at back and sides. Floating shelves that just stick to the wall won't cut it for book collections.
What about alcoves that aren't square?
Most alcoves aren't square. I template and scribe each shelf to fit, cutting to follow wall irregularities. The result looks neat despite the wonky walls.
What finish options are there?
Painted MDF gives a clean built-in look. Veneered boards or solid wood can be stained or oiled. Floating style or visible brackets depending on your preference.
Alcove shelving Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your alcove shelving job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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