The Best Home Office Shelving I’ve Found (Skip This 1)

We get it. Your home office is becoming a mess. You don’t have anywhere to put those stacks of books — or that painting of a cat playing poker your neighbor gave you.

It’s probably time to get organized, which might mean investing in home office shelving. If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably trying to find the best shelves for the job. Lucky for you, we’ve spent hours looking through reviews and ratings to find the best shelves and storage solutions for your needs.

Keep reading for our top shelves in each category (plus one to stay away from).

Table of Contents

Winners By Category | Losers (1 To Avoid) | Winning Shelf Reviews | Honorable Mentions | FAQs

The Best Home Office Shelving By Category

If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the right to view more columns.

See Also: Bookshelf Desks | Home Office Storage Guide | Desk Organization Ideas | Best Home Office Desks | Best Desks With Storage

 

Avoid This Shelf

If you’re looking for a shelf that gives you plenty of storage, you might be tempted to add this one to your cart. Don’t do it! We’ve read enough reviews to know you might be disappointed with your purchase.

 
Here’s why we suggest avoiding this cube organizer shelf:

• Amazon Basics 7 Cube Organizer: Many reviewers have lamented that this Amazon Basics option is smaller than it appears in the pictures; they also state the shelves don’t fit standard-sized storage cube baskets. For a cube organizer that will fit 11- or 13-inch baskets, check out our listing for the IKEA KALLAX, which we ranked as the best cube storage shelf.

 

Home Office Shelving Winners

Here are the top-rated home office shelves we’ve found, including a couple of desk options with shelving. We’re listing all variations, from affordable shelves that are easy to set up to high-quality options that will last for years.

Best Overall: IRONCK Industrial Bookshelf Double Wide

• View today’s price, normally $220
• Star Rating: 4.8
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 53.2 inches
  • Height: 76 inches
  • Depth: 11.8 inches
  • Weight: 86 pounds
• Pros:
  • Heavy-duty (each shelf can hold over 100 pounds)
  • Shelf is over six feet tall, so it provides lots of vertical storage space
  • Simple to assemble
  • Low percentage of one-star reviews (1%) means less is likely to go wrong in shipping and assembly
• Cons: 
  • Package is heavy (86 pounds), so it could be hard to set up alone

If you need a big, open storage stage, try out this double-wide bookshelf (or even the triple-wide option). These are high quality for the price (and highly rated).

Check price & buy here.

 

Highest Quality: Martin Furniture Contemporary 6-Shelf Bookcase

• View today’s price, normally $540
• Star Rating: 4.7
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 36 inches
  • Height: 70 inches
  • Depth: 12.5 inches
  • Weight: 123 pounds
• Pros:
  • High-quality, substantial wood
  • Attractive oak finish
  • Comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee
  • Sturdy and durable
  • Four of the shelves are adjustable, so you can change the height
• Cons: 
  • Inside is still engineered wood
  • On the heavier side

We chose this bookshelf as the winner for highest quality because reviewers rave about how beautiful and substantial it is. We love that Martin Furniture uses real oak and hand-applied lacquer in addition to engineered wood.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Bang For Your Buck: Furinno Turn-N-Tube 4-Tier Shelf

• View today’s price, normally $30
• Star Rating: 4.5
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 23.6 inches
  • Height: 43.3 inches
  • Depth: 11.6 inches
  • Weight: 14.5 pounds
• Pros:
  • Super affordable and great for workers on a budget
  • Fast and easy to set up (no screws)
  • Numerous color options
  • Lightweight and easy to move
  • Good for small spaces
• Cons: 
  • Shelves can only hold a little weight (seller says 15 pounds per shelf)

With over 33,000 five-star ratings and reviews, we had to list this Furinno shelf as the best bang for your buck. For only $30, it’s quick to set up and gets the job done.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Floating Shelves: AMADA HOMEFURNISHING Floating Shelves

• View today’s price, normally $35
• Star Rating: 4.6
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 15 inches
  • Height: 1.4 inches
  • Depth: 6.7 inches
  • Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Pros:
  • Great price
  • Easy to clean
  • Great for decorations or getting small items off your desk
  • Saves floor space
  • Shelves come with screws
• Cons: 
  • Drywall anchors that come with the shelves are brittle; you might want to buy your own

These floating shelves are simple and sleek, and they come in lots of colors. We chose these shelves for this category because they can hold up to twenty pounds each and get high ratings from over 5,000 reviewers.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Fixed-Bracket Shelves: Forbena Rustic Floating Shelves

• View today’s price, normally $25
• Star Rating: 4.7
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 17 inches
  • Height: 4.7 inches
  • Depth: 6 inches
  • Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Pros:
  • Industrial, rustic look
  • Can install with brackets on top or bottom for different looks
  • Nice color options
  • Shelves come in two sizes
  • Floating shelves help you preserve floor space in your office
• Cons: 
  • Some reviewers thought the wood material felt cheap

These home office wall shelves are modern and rustic at the same time. They mount to the wall via brackets and can hold up to 40 pounds. We chose them as the winner because of their affordability and great reviews.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Floating Box Shelves: Melannco Floating Cube Shelves

• View today’s price, normally $30
• Star Rating: 4.5
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 9 inches
  • Height: 9 inches
  • Depth: 3.9 inches
  • Weight: 4 pounds
• Pros:
  • Packs come with three shelves
  • Multiple color options
  • Reviewers say these are very sturdy
  • Great for displaying decor or special items
• Cons: 
  • Takes some work to hang

We chose these floating box shelves because they have over 7,000 ratings and come in different colors. We like that the packs come with a small, medium, and large shelf so you can create a visually appealing storage solution.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Floating Hexagon Shelves: PHOENANCEE Hexagon Floating Shelves

• View today’s price, normally $40
• Star Rating: 4.7
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 15.4 inches (largest hexagon)
  • Height: 13.4 inches (largest hexagon)
  • Depth: 3.9 inches (largest hexagon)
  • Weight: 5.2 pounds (package of 5)
• Pros:
  • Good quality for the money
  • Great way to add some decor to your office while getting knickknacks off your desk
  • Lightweight, so they don’t damage your walls
  • Fun color options
• Cons: 
  • Reviewers say installation can be a bit tricky

These geometric floating shelves get top rankings on Amazon. They’re a great way to spice up your office with some modern design.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Wall-Mounted Ladder Shelf: Nathan James Theo 6-Shelf Wall Mount Ladder Shelf

• View today’s price, normally $170
• Star Rating: 4.7
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 30 inches
  • Height: 85 inches
  • Depth: 11.7 inches
  • Weight: 66.1 pounds
• Pros:
  • Slim, classy profile
  • Vertical, wall-mounted design saves floor space
  • One of the taller shelf options we’ve listed (85 inches)
  • Works great in small spaces
• Cons: 
  • Low-quality drywall anchors (you may want to buy your own)
  • Unit is pretty heavy, which could make installation hard for one person

We wanted to include a low-profile, vertical home office wall shelving option. This elegant ladder shelf by Nathan James fits the bill with its minimal design and great color options. This is an excellent shelf for those with limited office space.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Freestanding Ladder Shelf: VASAGLE 4-Tier Ladder Shelf

• View today’s price, normally $70
• Star Rating: 4.8
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 22 inches
  • Height: 54.1 inches
  • Depth: 12.6 inches
  • Weight: 25.4 pounds
• Pros:
  • Sturdy and well-made
  • Fits well in small spaces
  • Great color options, from charcoal gray to hazelnut or rustic wood
  • Shelves are adjustable and spacious enough to hold larger items like books or plants
  • Only a handful of one-star ratings and reviews (1%), which means less is likely to go wrong
• Cons: 
  • Shelf is not quite five feet tall, so if you’re looking for height, this might not be for you

This ladder shelf by VASAGLE gets incredible ratings for being sturdy and attractive. Reviewers say it looks more expensive than it is! We chose this as the winner for ladder shelves thanks to over 8,000 five-star ratings and 1,400 five-star reviews.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Cube Storage Shelf: IKEA KALLAX Shelf

• View today’s price, normally $90
• Star Rating: 4.8
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 30.4 inches
  • Height: 57.9 inches
  • Depth: 15.4 inches
  • Weight: 47.9 pounds
• Pros:
  • Simple design that’s easy to use
  • Fits 13-inch cubes
  • Affordable option that provides excellent storage
  • Can be used vertically or horizontally to suit your space
  • Multiple color options
• Cons: 
  • Some reviewers mentioned they thought the quality had gone down in the newer version

We chose this as the best cube storage shelf because of the fantastic reviews it gets. People love the simplicity of the design, the price, and the versatility.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Desktop Bookshelf: Sorfity Expandable Desktop Bookshelf

• View today’s price, normally $25
• Star Rating: 4.5
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 12.3 inches
  • Height: 13.8 inches
  • Depth: 6.7 inches
  • Weight: 5.3 pounds
• Pros:
  • High-quality material is easy to wipe clean and can be used for a long time
  • Helps organize a messy work table
  • Easy assembly (set aside 15-30 minutes)
  • Multiple color options
• Cons: 
  • Sometimes arrives with missing parts
  • Some reviewers say the instruction manual is confusing, making it difficult to assemble

This home office desk shelf is both sturdy and convenient to use. It’s small enough to work for a variety of desks, and the layout of the shelves can be customized for your needs.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Desk With Built-In Shelves: Tribesigns Desk With Hutch

• View today’s price, normally $180
• Star Rating: 4.6
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 47 inches
  • Height: 54 inches
  • Depth: 23 inches
  • Weight: 61.6 pounds
• Pros:
  • High-quality materials: wobble-free, durable, sturdy
  • Minimalist, clean design
  • Easy assembly (only 15-30 minutes)
  • Hutch and bookshelf provide high capacity without clutter
  • Adjustable leg pads keep desk stable on uneven floor
• Cons: 
  • Heavy: Assembly is really easy, but it is heavy since you’re paying for quality — you may need a buddy

We ranked this as the best desk with shelves because this desk has a beautiful, sleek design with plenty of shelving space. If that wasn’t enough, the desk comes in multiple color options.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Desk With Shelves and Drawers: Homsee Home Office L-Shaped Desk

• View today’s price, normally $280
• Star Rating: 4.6
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 55.1 inches (cabinet is 41.3 inches)
  • Height: 29.5 inches (cabinet is 24.8 inches)
  • Depth: 23.6 inches (cabinet is 15.7 inches)
  • Weight: 110 pounds (desk and cabinet)
• Pros:
  • Solves three storage challenges in one product (it’s a desk, bookshelf, and file cabinet)
  • Clear assembly instructions
  • Comes in six color options
  • Desk is reversible, so you can place the cabinet on the right or left side
  • Desk fits well in corners
• Cons: 
  • Instructions are clear, but you should expect two hours for assembly

This is a file cabinet, bookshelf, and desk all in one. We chose it as the winner because it provides so much storage space within the desk, from drawers to extra surface area.

Check price & buy here.

 

Best Storage Cabinet: Sauder HomePlus Storage Cabinet

• View today’s price, normally $200
• Star Rating: 4.5
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 23.3 inches
  • Height: 71.2 inches
  • Depth:  17 inches
  • Weight: 97 pounds
• Pros:
  • Highly rated (4.5 stars) with a great sample size (8,000+ reviews)
  • Takes up a small amount of floor space but provides lots of vertical storage
  • Adjustable shelves allow you to customize your storage needs
  • Good instructions and straightforward assembly
  • Attractive finishes
• Cons: 
  • The back panel is a thin composite material
  • The package is heavy, so it could be hard to work with if you’re alone

This is an all-purpose household cabinet, but it uses vertical space well — an important consideration for home office storage. It takes up just a bit of floor space but provides lots of out-of-sight storage. If you’re looking for a home office cabinet, we’d recommend this as a classy and affordable choice.

Check price & buy here.

 

Honorable Mention Shelves & Storage Ideas

These storage options didn’t win first place, but they were still so good we had to share. If you didn’t find the perfect shelf from among our winners, take a look at some of the shelves and storage ideas below.

5-Tier Shelf: HSH Natural Real Wood 5-Tier Bookcase

• View today’s price, normally $250
• Star Rating: 4.7
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 47.2 inches
  • Height: 70 inches
  • Depth: 10.3 inches
  • Weight: 57.9 pounds
• Pros:
  • Shelves are made from layered real wood instead of MDF
  • Multiple sizes (4-tier, 5-tier, and 6-tier)
  • Fast assembly (seller says only 20 minutes)
  • Adjustable feet for leveling
  • Gets good ratings for stability and sturdiness
• Cons: 
  • Some reviewers say the shelf has a strong formaldehyde smell

We came across this bookshelf in our research and had to include it because of the real wood shelves and industrial design. This is a good quality shelving option that’s still affordable.

Check price & buy here.

 

5-Tier Shelf: BON AUGURE Industrial Bookshelf

• View today’s price, normally $150
• Star Rating: 4.8
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 29.5 inches
  • Height: 65.6 inches
  • Depth: 12.7 inches
  • Weight: 37.5 pounds
• Pros:
  • Strong shelves can hold up to 130 pounds
  • Easy to assemble
  • Adjustable feet for leveling
  • Sturdy and nice to look at
  • Attractive color options (gray oak or rustic oak)
• Cons: 
  • Made from engineered wood

Here’s another highly rated, tall bookshelf. This is similar to the HSH Real Wood shelf we listed above, but it’s a lot cheaper and still gets fantastic ratings (actually, it’s ranked 0.1 stars higher).

Check price & buy here.

 

5-Tier Shelf: Furologee 5-Tier Bookshelf

• View today’s price, normally $80
• Star Rating: 4.6
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 23.6 inches
  • Height: 61.2 inches
  • Depth: 11.8 inches
  • Weight: 32.4 pounds
• Pros:
  • Incredibly affordable
  • Adjustable middle shelf allows you to fit taller items
  • Fabric drawers are removable, so you can use them when and where you need
  • Cool rustic design
  • Adjustable feet to make shelves level
• Cons: 
  • Setup includes a lot of screws
  • Drawers are made of fabric instead of wood

This bookshelf has four open shelves and two drawers for hidden storage — a good mix for a home office. The shelf provides most of its storage through its height and doesn’t take up much floor space.

Check price & buy here.

 

2-Tier Shelf: Walker Edison 2-Shelf Industrial Bookcase

• View today’s price, normally $260
• Star Rating: 4.8
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 60 inches
  • Height: 25.6 inches
  • Depth: 15.8 inches
  • Weight: 41 pounds
• Pros:
  • Great color and size options so you can find the right design
  • Easy and fast to build (some reviewers say 15 minutes)
  • Sturdy and stable
  • Great for books and larger objects
• Cons: 
  • Takes up a lot of floor space without providing much vertical storage

This might be the best home office bookcase on Amazon. It didn’t win our “best shelves” award because it takes up more horizontal space than vertical space. But if you have a roomy home office, this shelf is a great option.

Check price & buy here.

 

Wall Organizer: Keepo Pegboard Combination Kit

• View today’s price, normally $50
• Star Rating: 4.3
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 22 inches
  • Height: 22 inches
  • Depth: 0.5 inches
  • Weight: 4.6 pounds
• Pros:
  • Saves floor space
  • Slim profile works well for holding small knickknacks by your desk
  • Customizable layout
  • Comes with accessories so you can organize right away
  • Works with pegboard accessories from other sellers like IKEA
• Cons: 
  • Difficult to install
  • Stickers used for installation can damage your walls

Using vertical wall space is critical to organizing your home office. This pegboard offers more storage than a typical wall organizer and comes with small containers, shelves, and hooks.

Check price & buy here.

 

What types of shelves are there?

There are many types of shelves on the market. The main categories we cover in this article are freestanding shelves, mounted shelves, floating shelves, and fixed-bracket shelves.

Here are the definitions of each:

• Freestanding shelves: These shelves can be almost any size. The thing freestanding shelves all have in common is they don’t have to be mounted to a wall to be used, although you can attach them for safety. These shelves can be 2-tier or even 10-tier, depending on their size.
• Mounted shelves: Mounted shelves must be attached to the wall; this category includes leaning shelves or fixed-bracket shelves. These shelves can still have a base on the ground (like leaning shelves), but they use the wall as their main support.
• Floating shelves: Floating shelves are mounted to a wall and do not have legs or visible brackets. This gives them a “floating” effect that works great in modern offices. They are usually used for displaying decor or smaller items.

How do you use bookshelves in a home office?

If you have a spacious home office, adding shelving is easy. You can use any size shelf to meet your storage needs, from short and wide two-tiers to floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. But using bookshelves in a home office can take more planning if you’ve got a smaller space.

In particular, you’ll want to think about using horizontal space to get storage without losing too much floor space. This means using shelves that are tall but narrow, or using wall-mounted or floating shelves to free up the floor completely.

Once you’ve added shelves to your office, you can use them to store items that used to clutter up your desk (like books and notebooks). But bookshelves don’t need to be just for your work stuff, either. You can also use home office shelving for decor like printed quotes or works of art — after all, you want to make your home office a place you like to be!

What do you put on office shelves?

You can use office shelves to organize the items you work with every day. For example, you could use shelves to store baskets with charging cords, adapters, backup earbuds, batteries, and so on.

You can also use office shelves for books and decor. The purpose is twofold: to get the clutter off your desk and to add some visual interest to your space.

What can you put on floating shelves?

Floating shelves are mounted to the wall without visible brackets — basically, they look like they’re floating. Because of the way floating shelves are mounted, they can’t hold a lot of weight. You’ll want to only put lightweight items on your floating shelves, like picture frames, candles, small decor, or a couple of books.

Floating shelves offer a great way to display decor or special artwork. Just make sure you mount them carefully!

Where over my desk should I mount a shelf?

When deciding where to mount your shelf, think about how you’ll be using your desk in the future. Do you have a sit-stand desk you adjust throughout the day? Are there any items on or near your desk — like a microphone arm — that might get in the way of a shelf?

You’ll also want to consider what you’ll be using the shelf for. If you plan on storing often-used items on the shelf, you’ll want to mount the shelf within arm’s reach. Since this is more utilitarian in purpose, you’ll probably want to mount the shelf just over your tallest computer monitor.

If the shelf is for decorative items, the focus should be on mounting it so there is a visually appealing margin between the ceiling, your shelf, and your desk. This usually means the shelf will be placed a little higher over your desk since you don’t need to change out decorations frequently.

Recommend a home office shelf

After 10+ years of remote work, I’ve tried a lot of home office storage solutions, and the winners above represent the features I think most remote workers will find useful in a home office shelf. Still, I might have missed some good options. Let me know if I did — I’ll be happy to check out your recommendation.

Header photo thanks to Kübra Zehra.

Just a heads up: some of the links in this article are affiliate links that may provide Buildremote with a small commission at no cost to you.

 

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