Showing posts with label narrow shelving unit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label narrow shelving unit. Show all posts

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Conceal Bookshelf -Large

Conceal Bookshelf -LargeI bought this for easy access to commonly used reference books for my home office. I chose the large shelf expecting that it would hold seven or eight fairly large garden books (9 x 11 x 3/4" on average). I've found that the little shelf will hold 5 of these books (4" total height, including the base book) securely, 6 and the shelf flexes some, and any more and it feels overloaded. A bit more thickness in the steel would have made the shelf considerably stiffer and stronger. The image here on Amazon shows a shelf with 9 books (including the unusable base book). Maybe that load would be possible given the modest size of the books and the way they are stacked with decreasing perimeter-size toward the top (strength of an "L" shaped shelf is near the wall).

For larger books the load capacity of the shelf is quite limited, though it still works for my needs. I would recommend buying the smaller shelf at 2/3 the price of the large version as I doubt that the large holds anymore weight and probably really accomodates little more size, if any, because of the way the shelf holds the base book.

My shelf came with a minor paint defect and I think the large shelf is a little pricy at $16, though it is nicely packaged.

All in all, it's a simple, clean-looking little shelf that provides a very compact, inexpensive, and easily-installed solution for limited capacity book-holding.

I sceptically bought two to put beside a kitchen window for small plants, and now I own at least a dozen and am buying more. These little delights really do everything the ad says. I was able to put my teacher books above my desk and printer area, freeing up room for my sewing machine by ditching a bookcase. They hold the weight they say they will. My only advise is to buy molly bolts that you know will hold a certain weight just to be on the safe side. I bought ones that each hold 65 pounds, and now I never worry when a grandchild loads down a shelf. This little invisible shelves get tons of attention from my guests. They are quite a conversation piece.

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I recieved 3 of these as a gift and love them. I personally didn't have a lot of books that would work as the bottom book so I had to separate a collection to use as a base for each and then stack other, smaller books on top. This will not fit your standard hard cover book for the base book. But if you have a few that will then it works just fine. I found out later that they also had some smaller ones available and will pick those up in the future as well.

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This is a perfect bookshelf. My books look as if they are just suspended on the wall. I am in the process of decorating my apartment and wanted a shelf that would showcase the books, not the shelf. I have a mix of hardcover and paperback with 8-9 books on a shelf and all is well. I did not install them into a stud as my studs are metal and I didn't want to purchase additional hardware. I used the hardware given and put them into the wall. Two weeks and counting and they are holding just fine and are very sturdy. I ordered 3 and am looking to order another one soon. Great purchase...enjoy!!!

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The product itself is fine. It's exactly as described. My problems with the product had to do with the problems I faced because of my apartment. Trying to install this on drywall is near impossible, though the product's instructions address this adequately, so I don't blame the manufacturer. My only problem with this product is it does not hold much weight. When you are a student with many textbooks to manuever, this is pretty critical. Otherwise, I am really thrilled with the design of the product.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Cheetah Mounts A32B 3 Tier Electronic Component Glass Shelf Wall Mount Bracket with Cable Managemen

Cheetah Mounts A32B 3 Tier Electronic Component Glass Shelf Wall Mount Bracket with Cable Management SystemI just put up this unit and installation was easy (came with instructions unlike other poster's experience). The unit is well made, strong, and has ample room for running cables through the center channel and access holes. The only drawback is the depth of the shelves are somewhat short for components that are deep and/or require additional depth due to larger cable plugs (like HDMI cables).

I plan to make some wooden covers (to sit on top of the glass shelves) to provide the extra depth I need.

I would recommend that you simply measure the depth of your components first, including the length of your longest cable plug to ensure this unit will work for you. Otherwise, you will have the front feet of your audio/video components dangling off the front edge of the shelves.

EDITED REVIEW After converting to another services provider, the shelfs are just fine in terms of depth. So I didn't have to modify anything. This is a quality unit and we have had no issues with it at all.

If your trying to figure out what component shelf to buy look no further my friends. Before I purchase anything I usually click on Amazon.com to get individuals reviews/opinions. Let me tell you, if you are in the market for a Component shelf for your lcd look no further. This is a beautiful, attractive 3 tray shelf which I put my Bose Stereo and Xbox 360 on.

Both components have plenty of room to set on their individual tray and wire management is not difficult at all. When sitting away from my stand I do not see any wires which is very important to me. The other thing I would recommend to anyone that is in the market for something like this. Do 'NOT' place it under your flat screen tv! Why you might ask? The reason for this is when I'm watching a movie on my flat screen tv all I want to see in my 'field of view' is the tv and not a 3 tray shelf with electronic components!

I've seen so many customer images with their component shelfs under their beautiful flat screen tvs and under their tvs they have this big, honking shelf!

Trust me, you will enjoy the movie that you are watching more if all that is in front of you is the movie and not anything else that is going to distract you.

This shelf stands in the corner of my room and looks very attractive I must add. All my friends and family also complement this stand when they first enter my room.

So, there you have it. Just buy it instead of pulling your hair out trying to figure out which one to buy...

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We bought this shelving unit after upgrading to a flatscreen HDTV that was mounted on the wall via a VideoSecu Longarm articulating arm mount. The two units look excellent together and above all the Cheetah Componet Shelf Wall Mount is a quality built unit with above average fit and finish. Shipping was fast and easy through FedEx. It shipped in the original box with no extra padding or wrap but was delivered undamaged and remarkable.

Body of unit consists of appropriate thick aluminum that is black with a light metallic sparkle. The glass shelves are colored gloss black on one side and matte black on the other and you can mount either side up. Overall height of this unit is 27" with the shelves being 8 3/4" apart and measuring 17 1/2" wide by 14" deep. The three sections of the unit each have a 2" hole avaiable for routing your wires through and also comes with black plastic covers to go in the holes if you are not using them. I found that the 2" hole was more than an adequate size for fitting wires through I have 8 cables running through one hole) and that the covers fit tightly in the holes that are not being utilized.

Installation was straight forward and the directions were simple and easy to read. You could put this together by yourself probably but as with most things an extra set of hands was helpful. I mounted the bracket that the shelves attach to directly to a stud because that was easiest for me. Drywall anchors and screws also come with the unit if you need to mount it to drywall. The unit is attached to the wall bracket with two screws and "pops" into place with a little elbow grease but after securing with the screws it is steady and straight. None of the shelves lean or tilt under the weight as some other reviewers have complained about. I have a DTV box and google TV box on one shelf and a WII, XBOX, PS2 on another with the top shelf being the 'docking station' for the GTV keyboard/mouse along with all the remotes and gaming paddles. I imagine if you follow the directions, are somewhat handy with a level and drill and start with a level/straight wall you will have superior luck with installing this unit.

Overall I am completely impressed with the unit and being priced at less than half of comparable shelves at some big box outlets this is an awesome deal.

Read Best Reviews of Cheetah Mounts A32B 3 Tier Electronic Component Glass Shelf Wall Mount Bracket with Cable Managemen Here

The shelves themselves are great, they look amazing, I love the style, the ease of assembly and mounting, everything.

One major problem, the shelves are nowhere near large enough to hold anything substantial, neither my cable box, nor my stereo receiver fit on the shelves. These are specifically outined in the description of the item. Should I have measured before purchasing, of course I should have, but I don;t see how the description can be seen as accurate in this regard.

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I'm a recently separated woman, and with elbow tendonitis, and arthritis in my hands, I was in the market for a great looking, easy set-up for my new 40" tv components.

While the set-up instructions are minimal, I have enough know-how, and tools to do the job. Also, I am under 5' tall. With my 14 year old daughter helping me to get it on the wall, it mounted in a jiffy, and it looks great! (Yes, we mounted the tv by ourselves, too).

As far as the cable management goes, I find that, since it is only attached at the top, if I pull it slightly away from the wall at the bottom, it's easy enough to get cables through without having to thread them. There seems to be plenty of room for everything I have: 2 HDMI, 2 optical, numerous power, several speaker cords...you get the idea.

I am considering it, or the 2 shelf unit for the livingroom tv. That's a 47".

This is the information I was looking for when I searched for the right shelves. I hope this helps! :)

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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Safco Products Wire Cubes, Black (5279BL)

Safco Products Wire Cubes, BlackI bought these wire cubes to use for an art display at a convention, after a recommendation from other artists. Safco had one of the best prices on Amazon, for a product that turned out excellent for my purposes. I like the shelf connectors, as they hold the shelves in place without being impossible to remove, unlike other sets I've seen. The corner connectors are also fairly easy to snap together, though they require some pressure and aren't always the easiest to remove again. They're a little hard on the hands as well.

The biggest drawback to this set, for my purposes, is that there aren't quite enough corner connectors for much beyond the standard fouror five-cube arrangement, and Safco does not appear to easily supply additional corner connectors. None are available on Amazon, and despite Safco's website mentioning alternate vendors for the connectors, there are none within an hour's drive from my home. The nearest ones, also, only supply to retailers and other large business entities, not individuals. Some connectors from other sets may fit, but the wire squares may be too large or small to work with most.

For a basic storage unit, this is a great buy. For fancier, larger arrangements, more connectors are needed.

I already had some sturdy wire cube shelves and wanted to add on to them. They are apparently only a seasonal item in stores like Costco and Staples and I couldn't wait 'til next year. I was hoping these Safco cubes were a match and they are indeed. So I am happy. My original shelves were put together, oh, must be at least 5 years ago or more. They are still going strong under heavy continuous use. Now that that the new cubes are attached, I cannot tell the old from the new. There are other wire cubes for less money but they also look cheaper, especially when next to my good ones.

Note: The corner connectors are different than on my original set but that doesn't matter to me...I don't use them. I've always considered the connectors to be awkward and difficult. I get more flexibility in configuring my shelves by using black electrical ties instead. The ties are easy and I use them liberally, so the shelves are very sturdy. Since the ties and the shelves are black, they are nearly invisible once I snip off their "tails". Certainly less visible than the connectors that come with it. (The tail snipping goes very fast and easy if you use your cat's toenail clippers...much better than regular scissors.)

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I just ordered a set of these but have also bought them in the past. They're great for storage cubes as were intended, but the plastic covered wire panels also have some other great uses. We've used them as barriers to keep small pets from getting into a room that's off limits. Instead of using the little corner units that come with them to hold them together, we use plastic electrical ties Gardner Bender 46-330UVB Electrical 30-Inch Heavy Duty Black UV Resistant Cable Ties, 25-Pack which are much sturdier. You can connect several of these panels together in a single row to make a flexible "fence". It worked great for our mini dachshunds when they were young and we wanted to keep them in the family room where we could see them. I have friends who used them to keep other small dogs in or out of an area. You can stack them two high for this purpose as well. We used them outdoors between the house and patio wall to keep the dachshunds from wandering.

We've also used them at the top of our balcony next to the stairs to keep a young kitten from wandering and falling off the landing. I posted some photos of this on the main product page. We just fasten a row of them with the electrical ties and fasten them to the rail posts the same way. Kittens can climb over them, but it keeps them from wandering and falling or getting chased by other cats and falling accidentally.

I've also stacked and connected them with the electrical ties and used them to hold up large tomato plants. They make a great cage and you can make it as large as you want.

Read Best Reviews of Safco Products Wire Cubes, Black (5279BL) Here

I bought these to make a C&C guinea pig cage, a use for which they aren't intended but still work very well. My guinea pigs have not escaped and for those in the know, this brand has exactly the right number and size of holes per grids and it offers ample opportunity to expand and rearrange their cage.

The reason I gave four stars and not five is that there was no mention in the packaging I got of the force required to lock them together. I still haven't managed to lock them in, and so the cage snaps apart very easily. For the most part this isn't a problem, as the pigs are contained by a plastic box inside the grids, but it would be a terrible problem for someone building a second storey or just using them for their intended purpose as shelves. Because they make a clicking sound when they go into the connectors, and seem to budge no further, it's entirely reasonable that people would assume that they were locked in. They look like they're in, they sound like they're in, but they're not. I would have assumed they were defective too if not for the multitude of reviews online that mention the extreme force.

All in all a very useful product with some information/assembly problems.

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I had recently gotten a set of similar cubes from Bed bath & Beyond and was looking for another set. The BB&B set was about $10 cheaper and I was very satisfied with them. These on the other hand are worthless. The panels do not fit securely into the attachments (if you can get them in at all), and the unit disintegrated after I put in several light weight fleece blankets. I had to reassemble the panels using zip ties. Don't bother buying these.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

ClosetMaid 800200 2 Tier White Storage Rack

ClosetMaid 800200 2 Tier White Storage RackThe product itself looks OK, but the dimensions are totally different from what is described on the Amazon.com website.

The website says the rack is 0.1 x 12 x 0.1 inches. I knew the two 0.1 inch dimensions had to be bogus, but assumed wrongly that the middle number, the width, was correct.

But no! The rack is 12.5 inches wide, so it does not fit the 12 inch pantry doors I had planned it for, based on the specs on the ad.

I have had similar problems with dimension errors on several other products listed by Amazon, and had to return three prior orders for this reason.

Someone should proof read these ads, as the wrong data makes future sales of such products iffy, if my experience and reaction are any measure.

I own these racks. It's true the actual width is 12.5", but it seems everyone has the wrong dimensions including Home Depot. The actual sizes are 12.5" wide, 10.5" high and 5" deep.

The racks are well made and come with the hardware to bolt them to the door. You have to be careful when you buy them at a local store, in many cases the hardware bag is missing.

I tried using the Amazon tool to update the specs but they have no actual 'upload' button to get the images to them. I can select the files to upload but that's as far as it goes.

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Spectrum WRO836 Wallscapes Woodridge 8 by 36 by 1-3/4-Inch, Oak, Shelf Kit

Spectrum WRO836 Wallscapes Woodridge 8 by 36 by 1-3/4-Inch, Oak, Shelf KitThe product does its job, if you can install it.

The screws that come with the shelf are of very low quality (the head is shaved off easily), and I had to use different ones that I had at home.

It ends up being a pretty sturdy shelf, but only if you are lucky enough to have studs in the wall at the same distance as the holes in the mounting bracket (the holes are pre-set, spaced at approximately 3 feet apart).

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Welland 24 Inch x 3.25 Inch x 5.25 Inch Corona Crown Molding Wall Shelf Honey Oak

Welland 24 Inch x 3.25 Inch x 5.25 Inch Corona Crown Molding Wall Shelf Honey OakThese shevles are pretty nice. They look like real wood and where perfect for my sons trophies. They were pretty ease to hang and not to ahrd to level.

I love these shelves! I ordered 2 for the guest bedroom. They arrived right on time and were well-packed. The honey color is just right, and the installation was super easy. They look great!

One handy planning note: I cut paper to match the shelves height & length and taped on the wall to see what sizes would work before I made my order. This is how I selected the 24" from all the different sizes.

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My item arrived on time and in good shape. The color was exactly what I had hoped for! It was easy to hang and has stayed securely on the wall. I would make this purchase again!

Read Best Reviews of Welland 24 Inch x 3.25 Inch x 5.25 Inch Corona Crown Molding Wall Shelf Honey Oak Here

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Storage Solutions® 03606 Three(3) Foot Utility Shelves - 2 Shelves per set

Storage Solutions® 03606 Three(3) Foot Utility Shelves - 2 Shelves per setThese are exactly what I was hoping for, They are great. The only complaint I would have is to provide better wall anchors for them.

These shelves were very easy to install. The only complaint I have is that the included hardware, mainly the screws, are terribly weak. 2 of them had the heads twist off while I was trying to screw into the studs. I would recommend using different screws, and if needed different anchors. Other than that, the shelves seem to be very durable. I've had them up for a little under a week, so I can't claim to know anything about their longevity, and they are each holding 30 books which is about 20-25 lbs and they don't seem to be under stress at all...

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two main complaints:

-the included hardware sucks. Don't even bother with it. The mollies are completely useless.

-I am fairly confident that the description of "plastic coated steel" applies only to the shelves themselves. The brackets are totally plastic, which is a shame, because I bought these to put in my kitchen and I'm not at all confident having them anywhere in the vicinity of a heat source.

The brackets are also tricky to fit all 4 were a little smaller than I'd like, thus making installing it by yourself more difficult than it needs to be.

But, with all that whining out of the way, they're solid, and they look great.

Read Best Reviews of Storage Solutions® 03606 Three(3) Foot Utility Shelves - 2 Shelves per set Here

I bought 2 sets of these for my utility room. Love how they look. You get all the hardware. I put them up by myself. (68 yr old woman) Once you mark the holes, it's easy to do.

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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Alera Steel Bookcase

Alera Steel Bookcase, 3 Shelves, 34-1/2 W by 13 D by 42 H, Light GrayThe all-steel bookcase looks nice enough. For something so large and with the potential of holding a great deal, the flat-pack design with assembly and no hardware shouldn't have been selected in my opinion. Although when assembled, the bookcase is not as sturdy as I'd like, it probably is fine. Relatively speaking, I seem to have gotten the bookcase for a steal at $196.18 shipped given the total cost through other merchants. I would not likely buy this again and would instead look for fully-assembled and more rigid options.

The two-piece back should be one solid panel or at least been packed as a hinged, folding panel to be more rigid. The shelves should be secured to the back panels somehow, and they aren't. Installing the top panel on one side kept causing the side panel to slide out of alignment along the entire height of the bookcase. This is due to the tight fit and tab/hole side-back joint design. The side panel slid enough to cause the tabs and holes to separate, and this wasn't easy to correct. Buyers would be best to assemble this on a hard surface instead of carpet. If assembling on carpet, lay the bookcase down, push the bottom flush against a baseboard, and then use the mallet to insert the top. This will help keep the side panels from sliding and separating from the back.

The all-steel bookcase looks nice enough. For something so large and with the potential of holding a great deal, the flat-pack design with assembly and no hardware shouldn't have been selected in my opinion. Although when assembled, the bookcase is not as sturdy as I'd like, it probably is fine. Relatively speaking, I seem to have gotten the bookcase for a steal at $196.18 shipped given the total cost through other merchants. I would not likely buy this again and would instead look for fully-assembled and more rigid options.

The two-piece back should be one solid panel or at least been packed as a hinged, folding panel to be more rigid. The shelves should be secured to the back panels somehow, and they aren't. Installing the top panel on one side kept causing the side panel to slide out of alignment along the entire height of the bookcase. This is due to the tight fit and tab/hole side-back joint design. The side panel slid enough to cause the tabs and holes to separate, and this wasn't easy to correct. Buyers would be best to assemble this on a hard surface instead of carpet. If assembling on carpet, lay the bookcase down, push the bottom flush against a baseboard, and then use the mallet to insert the top. This will help keep the side panels from sliding and separating from the back.

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The all-steel bookcase looks nice enough. For something so large and with the potential of holding a great deal, the flat-pack design with assembly and no hardware shouldn't have been selected in my opinion. Although when assembled, the bookcase is not as sturdy as I'd like, it probably is fine. Relatively speaking, I seem to have gotten the bookcase for a steal at $196.18 shipped given the total cost through other merchants. I would not likely buy this again and would instead look for fully-assembled and more rigid options.

The two-piece back should be one solid panel or at least been packed as a hinged, folding panel to be more rigid. The shelves should be secured to the back panels somehow, and they aren't. Installing the top panel on one side kept causing the side panel to slide out of alignment along the entire height of the bookcase. This is due to the tight fit and tab/hole side-back joint design. The side panel slid enough to cause the tabs and holes to separate, and this wasn't easy to correct. Buyers would be best to assemble this on a hard surface instead of carpet. If assembling on carpet, lay the bookcase down, push the bottom flush against a baseboard, and then use the mallet to insert the top. This will help keep the side panels from sliding and separating from the back.

Read Best Reviews of Alera Steel Bookcase Here

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Frenchi Furniture 3 Tier Wall Shelf

Frenchi Furniture 3 Tier Wall ShelfVery pretty shelf, but the underside is not painted. Otherwise, it looks great for all the little items you want to display.

a beautiful shelf, very delicate, great condition upon delivery, great look. Fits all my beautiful stuff, a wonderful display. I would get another one soon also

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It arrived after two days. Very easy to put together.

Now I have a place put my photos and some little stuff.

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It was easy and quick to put together, and (with the help of my husband) to attach it to the wall. I needed something that would spread wide on the wall, and yet had a narrow surface. Thus, this deep-cherry colored multi-tiered shelf does it takes the wall space but leaves me my room.

P.S. For some reason, Amazon posted a picture of a free-standing shelf, while mine has a specific wall design, and looks different.

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Bought two of these for my daughter's new home. They are easy to assemble, sturdy, look great and reasonably priced.

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Saturday, August 31, 2013

Rubbermaid Configurations 3-to-6-Foot Classic Custom Closet Kit

Rubbermaid 3H11 Configurations 3-to-6-Foot Classic Custom Closet Kit, TitaniumThis closet kit was simple to use and sturdy. It took my husband one hour to complete the first closet system and 30-45 minutes for the second. It has made a HUGE difference in my children's closet and we can't wait to finish the rest of the closets in our house. We live in a 57 year old house with not much closet space and standard rod hanging systems. This system gave us a tremendous amount of clothes hanging space.

My number one concern prior to buying this was that I am in new construction with metal beams; so I would be using the drywall anchors solely and I had a ton of clothes; my guess it probably something like 160 pounds of stuff total for the closet. Well after installation the whole system (even without going into studs) was very sturdy.

I looked very closely at the Rubbermaid and Closetmaid systems and also looked at some of the custom closet solutions (Like elfa). I ended up going with the Rubbermaid and am very happy I did; the production value on the Rubbermaid top notch, very sturdy with good finishes, plenty of parts. Using the wall anchors I piled everything into a 4' closet with I would say about 95% utilization.

I had a Closetmaid partical board system before and although it cost the same amount roughly... it wasn't configurable, had cheaper parts, worse clothes rod, and a cheaper less sturdy feel.

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I actually ordered 2 sets of these. Each took a wall in a walk in closet. I ripped out the Closetmaid crap the plastered the holes. The finish on the Configurations was so nice, I decided I couldn't just put it up without painting the walls. Yep, I painted my walk-in closet, and installed a stainless steel 3-halogen bulb light fixture to match. I also left enough room in my 9' tall walk-in for top moulding to boot. I figure, the closet is one of the first rooms you enter every morning of your life, why not bring it out.

I took my time on the installation, to get the measurements correct. I had one trouble spot where I hit some metal joiners where the stud was. Metal screws fixed the problem easy. My g/f and I are both 6 foot, so I actually set it up higher than the instructions say to. I took the extra bottom space and just mounted extensions for accessory shoe racks. All our shoes are now off the floor and high enough I can run the vacuum through. You will need the shoe racks.

I have double the space in my closet now, and I've used every bit of it.

Read Best Reviews of Rubbermaid Configurations 3-to-6-Foot Classic Custom Closet Kit Here

Some notes for those who want to buy this:

#1) DO IT! You'll love it.

#2) Getting started with the very first piece takes the longest. Then it's a total breeze from there!

#3) At the VERY BEGINNING, make sure you are making marks for where you will be screwing into studs, and making different-looking marks where you'll be using a wall anchor you will only need these marks for the top bar that goes all the way across, and only as high as you want the unit to go (meaning the placement of the top shelf or bar).

#4) Directions didn't tell you this (and for some people it's probably obvious), but use a 3/8" bit to drill the holes where you need to use wall anchors, and a 1/8" bit to drill where you'll be able to screw right into the stud. (That's 3 steps for every place you'll be attaching the first bar: mark the wall, make a "starter hole," install the anchor/screw.) I may be an idiot for not knowing that to start, but had someone told me that in the beginning, I could've chopped off a half hour of assembly time! (Now I know for future things as well. :)

#5) You will need 4 leftover screws after you install the top bar these are for the hanging bars, so be sure to set them aside at the beginning, and use the rest to secure the top bar.

#6) They give you specific measurements on the distance between the hanging bars: make sure you start at the far left and far right like the directions say (6" from the wall), but you can space the middle 2 bars wherever works for you.... just note that you may have to cut the top bar cover to fit (which is a nice touch to make it look neat).

It only took a TOTAL (from unpacking the box to starting to put stuff away) of an hour and a half to finish!!! And that's by myself, a 5'3" female who is totally awkward when it comes to putting stuff together!

With the end result of this thing, I LOVE IT. My closet fits so much more and is SO very organized especially for a SMALL space (my closet is only 5'w x 6'h x 2'deep) and has to fit everything from clothes and shoes to luggage and books. I was in such desperate need, I even paid for overnight shipping. :( But I will definitely buy another one when I have another closet that needs to be organized!

The instructions could be a bit clearer, especially for someone without much (if any) experience hanging stuff. I had to call my dad to have him help me understand the directions. Another small complaint: they aren't entirely specific on how many screws you need where. You have to do the counting as you read through the instructions in advance. So I included that in this to hopefully help the next person out. Whatever small frustration I had with the directions TOTALLY PAYS OFF with the end result.

Also, I shopped around for an organizer for a while, and for the price (especially!) and what you get, the value of this is AWESOME. Enjoy your newly nice and neat closet! :)

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This is a very easy custom closet configuration system to install. I like that the rails attach to the wall and don't have braces that take up more room. It is very flexible because once you have the rails attached you can put the shelfs and rods where ever you need them.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Sauder HomePlus Basic Storage Cabinet, Dakota Oak 411985

Sauder HomePlus Basic Storage Cabinet, Dakota Oak 411985We purchased this cabinet via Amazon after searching the internet. The cabinet arrived earlier than promised, so we were happy about that. My adult daughter helped me put the cabinet together, and overall, it went OK. There were a few minor problems during assembly. The first is when we put the rear 'feet' together with the bracing. You have to tap a holder into one of the holes, and then you hand screw in the leveler. When tapping in the holder, part of the plastic foot broke off. It is in the back, and it didn't effect the cabinet, so I didn't worry about it. The second minor issue was discovered when we flipped the cabinet over to nail on the back cardboard. We discovered that the cardboard didn't fit evenly apparently one of the sides of the cabinet wasn't quite as deep(wide) as the other. The front of the cabinet was in alignment, but the back was not. Again, it was by a small amount and in the back, so I didn't worry about it.

Putting in the shelves was a bit of a tight squeeze, but it seemed to make the cabinet sturdier. The bottom line is my wife is happy, so I'm happy! A solid product for the price.

We purchased two of these cabinets for an executive office. Out intensions all along was to add a thin plywood to the back overtop the laminate back. We did and it made these unite feel very sturdy. They look great, hinges and handles are very nice and the composit wood is dense.

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I was hesitant about getting a Sauder product as they sometimes seem flimsy but this unit is pretty sturdy. It was very easy to assemble, looks decent and was very affordable.

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To be honest, I liked this cabinet so much I bought it twice. I initially looked at cheaper cabinets, then I looked at ones that were double the price. In all honesty, I'm happy with this one. I often put stuff together and I'm generally handy, I have stuff from the big Swedish home store and I didn't buy this from target, I bought it from Wayfair but it's the same Sauder brand cabinet. The directions are all drawings but I have to say, the screws, nails, etc. are AWESOMELY packaged and labeled, which helps speed up assembly IMMENSELY.

I cut my assembly time in half the second time I put this together (about an hour the second time). I used a power drill and I would recommend it but don't put the torque setting too high (cracked a plastic foot the second time) and you don't use the drill much but you need a bit extender for the bottom screws OR you still need to use a screw driver.

Here are my tips after putting it together twice:

-Lay down on a couple throw rugs if you have a hardwood floor

-Hammer gently as you can

-Align the back panel and tape down with a little tape so that you're not hammering the nails close to the outside of the sides because you will see the outline of the nails through the wood

-Attach the door hinges onto the frame first, not the door as the instructions show, then loosen the slide because the way they're pre-mounted, it'll never fit the door. I got the best door alignment doing it this way the second time. I spent A LOT of time the first time figuring out that the pre-mounted setting doesn't allow the door to be mounted

I was able to cover up some very minor wear on the finish of the corners with a simple brown marker so that was a huge bonus :D The first time I laid the cabinet on some bathroom rugs and I didn't find issues with the corners.

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Very sturdy structure. Good build. Easy to assemble. Excellent packaging. Looks great. Doors have super adjustable european hinges. Lovely even though it's wood laminate. Heavy! I love it and it looks great.

*Also, when assembling feet and skirting...hammer in metal piece BEFORE putting feet on the wood skirt pieces. The lip breaks if u do what the instructions says here.

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Saturday, August 10, 2013

Floating Shelf Finish: Espresso, Size: 1.75" H x 48" W x 8" D

Floating Shelf Finish: Espresso, Size: 1.75' H x 48' W x 8' DThis shelf is exactly what we were looking for since it was easy to install, matches our dark brown (espresso) decor, and has an 8 inch depth providing plenty of display space (compared to the crown molding shelves that only offer 3 in to 5 in max). Definitely a classic look that provided the shelving we needed with a decorative touch.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Salamander Designs A5/W Archetype 5-Shelf Audio Stand (Walnut)

Salamander Designs A5/W Archetype 5-Shelf Audio Stand
  • Made of Solid Walnut Hardwood
  • Provides 5 Shelves along with Flexibility of infinite vertical adjustment
  • This is often used as the foundation for an expanded Archetype system
  • Weight Capacity: 250 lbs

Fabulous, gorgeous, worth the price and a total pain to assemble. Plan to spend a few hours putting this together. Once it's assembled, plan to enjoy it for the rest of your life.

Buy Salamander Designs A5/W Archetype 5-Shelf Audio Stand (Walnut) Now

I can not remember the last time I got something where every piece fit perfectly, the finish of every piece was perfect, and all the pieces were there!! Hmmm made in USA!

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This is an excellent alternative to the ubiquitous and monstrous "home theater" cabinets everyone seems to have.

Unlike the cabinets this allows optimal airflow, being open on four sides for each shelf, and is easily height adjustable. So my components which side vent are on shorter shelves while the passive top venting receiver is on a much taller one.

There are only two negatives.

The first is that it does take forever to put together. The assembly is simple and straightforward; it just takes at least an hour. The main frustration is that each shelf is held up by eight nuts which must be threaded over the entire length of each long pole and that takes time. Totally worth it though, IMO.

The second is that due to it being an open design (without a back) there is no way to hide your cables. However, a couple of zip ties and a bit of good cable management will transform that spiders nest into an organized set which is barely noticeable. Much like the electrical cords for lamps audio cables become invisible if well organized & tidy.

If you want a minimalist, attractive, and classy audio/video rack this fits the bill. The walnut is handsome and fits in nicely with my walnut tower speakers, wood floor, etc.. It shows off your setup but doesn't look "techy".

See my uploaded picture to see how it looks in my modest setup.

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Good quality, assembles and adjusts easily, and will last forever. Looks nice as a AV center. With neat dressing of the wires, even they do not show.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

TechCraft HBL60 60-Inch Wide Flat Panel TV Stand - Black

TechCraft HBL60 60-Inch Wide Flat Panel TV Stand - Black
  • 60-inch flat-panel television stand
  • Fits most 60-inch and smaller flat-panel televisions
  • Heavy gauge diamond shaped tubing for strength and durability
  • Brilliant black silkscreen glass matches many flat-panel televisions
  • 19.75" H x 59.25" W x 19.75" D
  • 19.75 x 59.25 x 19.75 Inches

As most other people commented, this is an excellent stand, very sturdy, very classy looking. Easy assembly, maybe 30-40 minutes. Before I bought this, I could not find any info on the clearance of the shelfs; I have a high end receiver (Sony STR-DG720) that is about 6.25 inches high, and it wasn't clear to me if that would fit in any of the shelves on this stand. So here is some info on shelf heights and clearance: on the bottom shelf, you can fit anything up to 5.25 inches in height, which is more than enough for DVD player, PS2, PS3, etc., but not a high end receiver. The shelf above has more clearance; units up to 6.5 inches high slide easily in from the front (or back), so my Sony Receiver fits in nicely. Since the glass above (which the TV stands on) is supported by "domed" metal beams, you actually have up to 8.5 inches of height, if you slide any unit onto that shelf from the sides. This is because the metal frames the whole unit stand on cover a little bit of the total height of the second shelf at the front and back, but not on the sides. I actually was almost able to put my center speaker bar on top of my tall receiver on this shelf when sliding it in from the side, there was just a tenth of an inch or so height missing to do that. But since there is so much horizontal space on both shelves anyway, that was not needed (one can easily fit three components side by side on each shelf). So in summary, there is more than enough height on the second shelf for tall electronic units like high end receivers. Hope this is helpful!

EDIT: Still in perfect shape as of June 2013

Buy TechCraft HBL60 60-Inch Wide Flat Panel TV Stand - Black Now

I shopped for a TV stand big enough to fit a 61" DLP TV and I went everywhere from Wal-mart to Best Buy to Ikea (online). This is the stand to get. This stand looks amazing in black metal and black tempered glass.

Wal-mart has some cheap particle board set for roughly the same price as this item. Best Buy has two classes of TV stands, those in their Magnolia section (which look great but run $1300+, I might as well get another TV) and their more moderately priced units run $299-$600. This unit still looks better than any of the stuff I saw in that section and it's bigger. There was a really basic particle board Ikea TV stand (Lack) for big TVs for $69, but they didn't deliver that model nor is there an Ikea store near where I live. And I'm glad there's not because I found this gem next.

This bad boy is 90+ pounds HEAVY and I really felt sorry for the sole UPS guy trying to carry it up the hill to my door but made me appreciate the fact that I didn't have to lug a unit in my car from a nearby store.

Ideally takes two people to setup for alignment purposes, but building it out is really easy and quick and the instructions are a snap. I'd probably build out the metal frame first, move it to where you want it, then put the glass on.

My only concern with the stand is that one of the parts came scratched and slightly dented. Luckily it was one of the support beams that runs underneath the glass and you can't see it anyway so I really didn't care because I was so satisfied with the unit after it was done, but this review probably would've been a different story if it had been one of the visible bars.

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I confess that this stand really doesn't go with our home's colonial styling but, then again, neither does our 52" Sony Bravia XBR. The stand does however suit the flatscreen beautifully in style. I went oversize on the stand (60" stand for a 52" flatscreen) because I wanted a little 'margin of error' around the television so we'd be more likely to bump into the stand than the television and thus reduce the chance of knocking the television over.

The stand is pretty darn heavy. The frame isn't at all heavy, it's the three thick glass shelves (with the topmost shelf being especially thick) that add all the weight. I used the thin styrofoam type packing wrap to handle the shelves, which helped my grip as well as keep the glass fingerprint-free. Assembly might have been tedious but I worked while watching television so I didn't notice the passing of time. Everything lined up nicely and went together without even a single muttered curse. Knowing my husband's proclivity for spontaneously rearranging furniture, I stuck some heavy duty felt pads onto the bottom of the feet before I loaded the stand with the glass shelves. The 1" felt pads fit nicely into the bottom of the feet and allowed me to shift the stand on the hardwood floor even after it was weighted down. (Obviously, only do small, careful 'tweaks' to the positioning of the stand while the television is on it, otherwise remove the television before moving the stand! I know that should be obvious but...)

As others have mentioned, the shelves are not actually anchored onto the stand but the little rubbery adhesive nubs included do add plenty of friction as well as protection and the weight of the glass, even unladen with equipment, keeps the shelves pretty firmly in place -unless perhaps you live in earthquake territory and, if you do, you probably should consider something that doesn't contain huge glass shelves, even if the glass is tempered.

I have to disagree with other reviewers about the lack of doors. Doors would only slow the accumulation of dust, not stop it, and the doors would actually make it a harder to clean, harder to assemble, etc. The simplicity of style and smoothness of the glass makes it quite easy to clean. (Cord management by bundling, wrapping, etc. will go a long way to making things easier on the eye as well as contributing to the ease of cleaning.) For the 'complaint' about the lack of doors making the equipment too accessible to children, I'd have to point out that a low object with very large spans of glass supported by 'I' shape framework is probably not the best choice for households with children. I wouldn't be worried about the tempered glass hurting the kids (unless they fell onto the edge because, even blunted, it's still a hard, narrow edge) but I'd be concerned about a sharp, concentrated force shattering the glass and causing the television to fall -possibly on the rambunctious child.

I do love the smooth, sleek simplicity of this stand, even if it doesn't fit the rest of our decor. All the equipment blends into the shelves nicely because everything is black... except my Wii, which sticks out like a pale sore thumb. lol So, excellent price, ease of assembly, and sleek styling make this stand an excellent choice if you don't have rambunctious children or teens, or live in earthquake-prone areas. Also, if by circumstance or positioning you need to anchor your television, this probably isn't the stand for you because there's no practical way of anchoring the television to the stand. Other than that, this stand is easy on the eye as well as the wallet and does a great job of combining simplicity, style, and functionality in one affordable -though heavy -package.

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So here's the scope:

pros:

-Awesome and sturdy stand. I have a 55inch Panasonic TV on it and it fits great.

-The shelves are tall enough to fit a PS3, XBOX360, and my ATT U-Verse boxes (laying down). The Wii fits but it has to go further back because it's too tall to sit right up front, but still fits and I have no problems. Lol I like video games I guess.

-The design looks very modern and professional and makes your living room look very nice.

-Great price from Amazon and I got free shipping. Other sites had it way over what I paid. (If you just bought a 55inch LED TV, price really matters).

-Not too hard to set up took about an hour (more about that in the "cons").

-Great height. When I sit on my couch (and they're all different, but mine is pretty average) I can see the middle to the tv at eye level so it's perfect. :-)

Cons:

-Package and glass is HEAVY. I had to lug it back to my apatment from the main office (about 400m) and I was smoked. Weighs at least 100lbs. I stopped for several breaks and had several people stare at me lol.

-The WORST part was that the screw that holds back panel did not screw in no matter what I did. It wasn't worth it to pack it all up to return it so I just got a hammer and slammed it in there, but it's not very secure and I just don't use it (don't put cords through the back holes). Since it's a open back, it's just basically cosmetic, but it really bugs me. Make sure you keep the boxes during construction.

-Construction could be confusing to some, but it's pretty straight forward if you've ever seen a screw driver before. The real con of it is it does take almost an hour set up. Have a friend help you because once it's constructed, you'll need someone else to help you move it in place (unless you're the Hulk).

Hope that helps. I gave it the 4 stars instead of the 5 because the screw problem, but if you don't have that, this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Semper Fi.

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I purchased this for a reasonably priced stand for my new Panasonic Plasma, Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P58S1 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Black. The prices of flat screens have fallen but not so for the prices of stands to hold the large flat screens. Since I move my room around on occasion a wall mount was out. This stand works perfectly for this size set, flanking it with a couple of inches on eash side to spare. The problem of the smaller stands, in my opinion, is that if the TV is wider than the stand, it looks top heavy and unbalanced visually. There is plenty of depth for positioning the TV forward or backward several inches, or to rotate the TV to fine tune the position if necessary. I have mine centered on the stand in left-right and front back.

The stand is well made and provides a solid foundation for the 110 lb. Panny plus a few audio components I have on the shelves. The shelves themselves are black tinted tempered glass, shiny on one side and matte on the other. The glass sits upon rubber pads that have adhesive on one side to stick to the frame. The rest of the shelf is essentially just matte black metal frame and one plastic piece in back to hide the cabling. Assembly was extremely simple with just a screwdriver and an allen wrench, which was provided. I used my own T-Handled hex wrench which made it go much easier (I don't recall the exact size as I sit here typing). An electric screwdriver with an allen bit would be even easier but not necessary. The shelf looks great assembled, has a very modern sleek appearance that will visually blend with any flat screen. The quality is top notch.

I have only three relatively minor criticisms of the shelf. The first two are simply cosmetic. First, the glass shows dust and fingerprints easily requiring some frequent wiping if you are sensitive to them. Second, the cable management provided by the plastic piece along the back doesn't really hide the cables. If you don't want your cables to be seen you will have to make an effort to position your cables together, tie them or whatever you choose to do, and place your components strategically to cover them up. I haven't gone to the trouble yet and you can clearly see the power cables, speaker wires, HDMIs, etc. running vertically and at angles back behind. It is what it is and is not unique to this shelf, but is common to these sleek, open designs.

My last criticism is in regards to the Techraft company in their misleading specifications and has nothing to do with the shelf itself. I went to their website, downloaded the schematic drawing and planned my purchase accordingly. The dimensions and spacing measurements they give are not completely accurate. The space between the bottom and middle shelf is listed at 6.5", which is true for the front aperture, but due to the frame piece that runs the width of the shelf to provide support for the middle shelf, there is only 5" height clearance at about 8.5" deep into the rack. This came into play as I planned to place my new Klipsch L,R, and Center speakers (Klipsch Icon Series WB-14 Speaker 2-way espresso Klipsch WC24 2-Way Center Channel Loudspeaker (Espresso)) on the middle shelf and my receiver, BD player and DVR on the lower shelf. The receiver, and almost all other receivers on the market except the Marantz NR1501 slimline Marantz NR1501 Slim Line Home Theater Receiver, is too tall to fit under that frame piece on the bottom shelf. The receiver and speakers are too wide to all fit on the middle shelf. This leaves me with four options; 1.) buy a new receiver 2.) buy stands for my front L & R speakers 3.) place something under the TV to raise it up about 1.5" and place the speakers on the top shelf in front of the TV or 4.) scoot the receiver back behind the brace, sticking out the back of the rack. Not wanting to spend any additional funds, I have opted for number 4 at this time.

In summary, this is a fantastic piece of furniture for the large flat screen segment. It looks great, is solidly constructed, is easy to put together, and blends seamlessly with flat screens. It is the best value on the market for this application, bar none. Just keep in mind that your receiver will not fit on the bottom shelf if it is of a standard size. I purchased mine here on Amazon because of the free shipping. You can find better prices but watch the shipping fees because this is over 100 pounds shipped. I did find it slightly cheaper, including shipping fees, other places but not with 2 day shipping speed.