Leaning ladder shelving units, such as the ones used in Courtney & Michael's Scandinavian Comfort, are a great way to add a little extra storage without overwhelming a space. Since the shelves start out larger on the bottom and get narrower toward the top, you're forced to place big items on the bottom, creating a visual anchor. To achieve a similar look in your home, we've rounded up 10 different leaning shelf options...
- Walnut Five Tier Ladder Shelf from Overstock $64.99
- Sloane Java 25.5" Leaning Bookcase from Crate & Barrel Starts at $99.95
- Manhattan Ladder Bookcase from Target $119.99
- Studio Wall Shelf from Pottery Barn $349 - $698
- 5-Tier Wood Freestanding Shelving Unit from Lowe's $119
- Ladder Bookshelf from Home Decorators Collection $169
- Studio Ladder Bookcase from JC Penney $100
- Coaster Furniture Mahogany Casual Leaning Bookcase from Bellacor $297
- Reclaimed Elm & Iron Leaner Shelving from Restoration Hardware Starts at $395
- LERBERG Shelf Unit from IKEA $19.99
(Images: 1. Courtney & Michael's Scandinavian Comfort. All others: As credited above.)
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I was just commenting to someone that I hoped the leaning ladder look is on its way out. I guess not.
One can hope..
Yeah, I'm with the first 2 commenters... though the style doesn't really bother me that much, but I assumed it was already on its way out. I'd hesitate to buy into a trend like this that's been around for so long.
I've never been a fan of these.
wow... I kind of like these, thought they don't seem to hold much and I haven't had any experience with them.
I actually kind of like the restoration hardware one... as it looks the most different, hence interesting in this crowd. The Lerberg is pretty cheap-looking in person, iirc.
Anyone have ideas on the source(s) of the pillows in the lead picture?
I'm not over the leaning ladder shelving and I think this is a fine, inexpensive option for a wall shelving system like the way it's used in the first housetour image.
I'm much more over the ubiquitous Ikea Expedit (which I find often looks cluttered, cramped and too thick) than any ladder shelving.
I'm also surprised that the nice Room & Board ones were not part of the list.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19297&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=201&menuSubcategory=141
Love the name of this one, Pisa:
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=24738&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=201&menuSubcategory=141
They're aesthetically pleasing, and are certainly less visually solid and massive than much conventional shelving, so might be good in smaller spaces. I also wonder as to their practicality - all of the ones in the photos are 'sparsely' laden, to say the least. I think they would be perfect for displaying a few decorative objects in a small boutique, not for holding all of my 'clutter', though!
I'd have to agree with other posters, I just happily sent off one of those that was featured (the ikea one of course!) I have way too much stuff to be daintily displaying things, so have gone to squarer bookcases instead. I'm not concerned about if this is on tread or not, its just simply not a great use of space.
I have to agree with the previous posters; these are great, if you do not have much to display. I do not believe these could take the place of a bookcase at all, but I do like that you are able to see a lot of the wall behind the objects. Although the IKEA Expedit is highly used (some may say over used), I still think that it has a tremendous amount of functionality to it; there has to be a good reason why so many showcased AT homes chose them!
I have 2 on a short wall in my living room - they work beautifully. I've had them loaded with books for a few years now and they seem to be holding up to the weight. maybe it's just a matter of buying good quality shelves? Prior to purchasing them I had a wider counter hight bookcase in their place and it was just not as visually appealing (ceiling looks much higher now). I did consider traditional bookcases but decided that they would look too top heavy. Definitely happy with my choice, whether it's on trend or not.
Crate & Barrel revamped their Sloane collection. I'm rather disappointed with what they've come up with... I much preferred the Espresso color they used to have, than the new "Java" option. I also preferred the brushed nickel handles to the rustic ones. I feel like this whole rustic, faux distressed look is just an unfortunate fad, and you can never go wrong with sleek, clean & modern. Hopefully someday they'll bring back the old Sloane! :):)
my sister-in-law has a ladder shelf that's filled to the brim with books. while i do wonder about its stability, i think the sparseness of ladder itself lends to the fullness of the books. as long as the books are organized, i like the way it adds a bit of an eclectic wander vibe to their space.
Agree with la.woman. I have one that is also filled to the brim with books and it looks perfectly fine.
I think you have to go either all the way one way or the other -- full or more decorative, spare.
Does anyone know where the cushions are from? I love them.