Some people look around a room and see empty corners.
Others look around and see potential.
An unused corner of the home or office is a precious thing; a blank page in decor terms. With a bit of imagination, it can morph into a space to work from home, become the setting for your new plant baby or become somewhere to store books, ornaments and trinkets so they don’t end up invading the entire room.
If it’s storage that won’t take up too much floor space you’re after, a corner shelf unit is your best bet. It will sit happily in the allotted corner as if it was specifically designed to inhabit that space, and you can find designs for all tastes and budgets.
Pleasingly, there are even wall-mounted versions, so you can keep the floors clear entirely - handy for vacuuming or if you’ve got curious children or pets that like to paw things off shelves.
We’ve rounded up the nicest looking corner units to help you find the one to buy. From organising your books and records to displaying your collectibles, see the best corner shelf units below.
Shop now
IKEA BILLY Bookcase combination corner solution
The reigning champs of modular furniture, IKEA knows how to make the most of every inch of idle space in your home. If you’re looking to make an empty corner work, this bookcase unit is a winner. There are 18 cubby holes to fill with your things and the shelves are available in brown and black if you’re not into the white. At 202cm tall, there should be enough room at the top to stuff hampers and other storage boxes.
Buy now £122.00, IKEA
Cuckooland Wood Kuga Corner Shelving Unit
There are corner units and then there are shelving units with added style. This unit from Cuckooland makes it a piece to be seen with a back on one side and skeleton-like open frame on the other. Four shelves offer plenty of space to keep your things; the only limit is your imagination. We like the idea of keeping it in the kitchen to store small appliances, rare ingredients and cookbooks.
Buy now £224.10, Cuckooland
17 Stories Vaillancourt Steel Corner Bookcase
How much space is enough space? For those who always need more, this corner bookcase has five levels to display your favourite things. With a black frame and wooden shelves, it ticks both the rustic and industrial chic decor boxes. The total height is 159cm and there is some assembly involved so crack out the toolbox.
Buy now £52.99, Wayfair
John Lewis ANYDAY Cuthbert Bookcase, Bluestone
The department store’s ANYDAY collection of basics are pleasingly stylish at even more pleasing prices. Take this corner bookshelf, for instance. The shelves surface area offer ample space to declutter the rest of your rooms and the pale blue frame helps it look distinctive without taking over the whole room.
Buy now £152.15, John Lewis
Dunelm Elements Corner Shelf Floor Lamp Light Wood
Teaming lighting with storage, this corner unit from Dunelm makes the most of your space. There are three shelves to store your things with a plug-in light at the top for illuminating those dark corners. It’s best placed in the living room or hallway.
Buy now £115.00, Dunelm
La Redoute Hiba Steel Corner Shelving Unit
Think you’ve got no space for a bar trolley? Sure you do: you just need to reimagine the concept. La Redoute’s steel corner unit feels like the perfect location to set up your home bar with plenty of height between five shelves to store bottles, glassware and garnishes.
Buy now £357.50, La Redoute
VASAGLE Corner Shelf, 5 Tier Plant Stand
Made of tempered glass and a gold-coloured frame, this slight but sturdy stand can be used for housing just about anything. Think plants, your fragrance collection, precious photos. It’s an easy way to add storage with style to your home.
Buy now £50.99, Amazon
Urban Outfitters Christie Corner Shelf
Storage is useful anywhere in the house, from the bedroom to the bathroom. Magic up space to put your in-use toiletries and cleaning supplies on this short corner table with three shelves. Made from MDF and bamboo wood, keeping it clean is as easy as an occasional wipe-down.
Buy now £39.00, UO
Matalan Black Wire & Wood Corner Unit
A wall-mounted design like this is perfect for the bathroom where you can keep all your skincare and toiletries within easy reach while not hogging floor space. Each shelf comes with its own little guard rail too, preventing things from tumbling out.
Buy now £15.50, Matalan
Zipcode Design Mariah 3 Piece Corner Shelf with Adjustable Shelves
Made from wood and with an eye-catching angular design, there’s no missing this corner shelf available at Wayfair. There are four levels on which to keep things like books, plants and cordless lamps for instant lighting in dark spots.
Buy now £43.99, Wayfair
Mack + Milo Arev Wall Shelf
Looking like a Tetris block, this wall-mounted shelf offers helpful storage in any corner of the home, from the hallway to the study. It comes in a selection of colours to best fit your interiors look.
Buy now £49.99, Wayfair
Dunelm Elements Bamboo 3 Tier Corner Caddy
It may be practical but Dunelm has made this corner caddy a stylish option with a bamboo-style frame and three levels to keep your odds and ends.
Buy now £22.00, Dunelm
