Bay widths
Standard production bay widths are 500mm, 600mm, 700mm, and 800mm. In-between widths from 500mm to 800mm can be planned in the configurator; narrower or wider bays need a quote.
Alcove shelving
Made-to-measure alcove shelving in birch plywood
Mestra helps you plan an alcove around real measurements, live pricing and birch plywood parts made in Norfolk, while staying honest about when full bespoke joinery is the better route.
Room challenge
Why alcoves are awkward
Alcoves look simple until you try to furnish them. Widths can change from front to back, side walls may not be square, and fixed furniture often leaves the gap you were trying to avoid.
A good alcove layout starts with the smallest reliable width, the useful depth, the wall type, and any details that will affect fixing, such as skirting, sockets, radiator pipes or a fireplace surround.
- Fixed furniture can leave uneven side gaps.
- Alcove width and depth can vary from front to back.
- Full fitted joinery can be expensive and permanent.
- Sockets, skirting and wall type can all affect the plan.
Mestra approach
A made-to-measure modular approach
Mestra is made to order from a wall-mounted modular system. You measure the alcove, choose the bay layout, then combine rails with open shelves, drawers, door cabinets or cupboards.
It is a middle-ground option: more planned than basic alcove shelves, but not fully scribed wall-to-wall joinery. That makes it useful when you want a fitted feel without building every part from scratch.
Specifications
Specs to check before configuring
The configurator is the best place to test the layout, but these are the practical ranges to check before you start.
Depths
Open shelves can be configured from 210mm to 330mm deep. Drawer cabinets, door cabinets and cupboards are 360mm deep.
Rail heights
For rail height, single-height rails are 900mm, and double-height rails are 1800mm. Custom rail heights are quote-only, so we can check the detail before pricing.
Wall fixing
Mestra is wall-mounted. Solid masonry and suitable stud walls usually work well, but the wall must be able to take the load of the rails, shelves, storage and contents.
- Simple rectangular alcoves.
- Living room storage beside a chimney breast.
- Books, display and media storage.
- Home office alcoves.
- Drawer cabinets below with shelves above.
- Alcoves where you want a fitted feel without full joinery.
- Rooms where future shelf changes or replacement parts matter.
Honest limits
When bespoke joinery may be better
- Very uneven walls.
- A full wall-to-wall scribed fit.
- Skirting, cornice or fireplace surround integration.
- Period detailing or a fully built-in cabinetry look.
- Rooms where every construction detail needs to be designed individually.
- Alcoves where you cannot drill into a suitable wall.
Open shelves only
A lighter option for books, ceramics and display, especially in a narrow alcove where closed storage would feel heavy.
Drawers below, shelves above
Useful when the lower part of the alcove needs hidden storage for cables, paperwork, chargers or everyday clutter.
Door cabinets below, shelves above
A calmer layout for living rooms and media storage, with shelves above for the things you want to see.
Asymmetric shelving
Good when the things you own are not all the same height. Shelf positions can be moved within the rail system later.
Two-bay alcove layouts
A clear layout for wider alcoves or paired storage, with each bay planned around the usable wall width.
Before configuring
How to measure your alcove
Measure the useful width, height and depth, then note anything that affects installation. If the alcove is uneven, measure at more than one point and use the smallest reliable dimension as your starting point.
- Width at the front and back of the alcove.
- Available height and preferred rail height.
- Depth at the shallowest useful point.
- Skirting, sockets, pipes, switches and fireplace details.
- Wall type and drilling access.
- Side access for fitting the rail and modules.
Proof and practicalities
Made in Norfolk, priced before you order
Mestra alcove shelving is made in Norfolk from birch plywood with visible laminated edges and a natural hard wax oil finish.
The configurator shows a live price for instant-priced layouts before you order. Quote-only choices, such as bay widths outside 500mm to 800mm or custom rail heights, are flagged before checkout.
The current shelving lead time is six weeks or less from order confirmation. Ten-year warranty is included, and the system is designed so individual parts can be replaced rather than replacing the whole unit.
The same system, planned for an alcove
The gallery shows the real Mestra wall-mounted system: rails, birch plywood shelves, drawer cabinets, door cabinets and the visible construction details used in alcove layouts.
Related project types
Explore Mestra from another angle
These pages explain the same Mestra system through different room, fit and buying questions.
Bookcases
Plan a made-to-measure bookcase or bookshelf wall using the Mestra rail, shelf and cabinet system.
Read moreModular shelving units
Understand the main Mestra system and how bays, rails, shelves and cabinets work together.
Read moreLiving room shelving
Plan a living room wall for books, display, media storage and hidden everyday clutter.
Read moreMade-to-measure shelving
Compare made-to-order modular shelving with standard furniture and bespoke joinery.
Read moreWall-mounted shelving units
See how the rail-based wall-mounted system works and what to consider before installing.
Read moreAdjustable shelves
Learn how adjustable shelf positions work inside the Mestra wall-mounted rail system.
Read moreBespoke shelving alternative
Work out when Mestra is enough, and when full bespoke joinery is the better route.
Read moreNorfolk shelving
Plan made-to-measure shelving with a Norfolk-based team that works from your room measurements.
Read moreFAQ
Practical questions
Short answers on fit, installation and what Mestra is not trying to be.
Is Mestra bespoke alcove shelving?
Mestra is made-to-measure modular shelving, not fully bespoke alcove joinery. It can create a planned alcove layout, but it is not fully scribed to every edge of the wall.
Can Mestra fit uneven alcoves?
Sometimes, but very uneven alcoves may need bespoke joinery. If the wall or sides are noticeably out of square, send measurements and photos before ordering.
Can I put drawers at the bottom of an alcove?
Yes. Drawer cabinets can be combined with shelves above if the wall and alcove dimensions suit the system. Cabinet depth is fixed at 360mm.
What bay widths work for alcove shelving?
Standard production bay widths are 500mm, 600mm, 700mm, and 800mm. In-between widths from 500mm to 800mm can use instant pricing; narrower or wider bays need a quote.
Can Mestra help with alcove shelving in Norfolk?
Mestra is based in Norwich, Norfolk. Start with your alcove measurements and wall details so the team can confirm whether the modular system is suitable.
How do I put up alcove shelves safely?
Start by checking the wall type, likely fixings, access and intended load. If you are not sure what the wall can take, get professional advice before ordering or installing shelves.
What should I measure before using the configurator?
Measure width, height, depth, skirting, sockets, wall type and any access restrictions around the alcove. If the width changes from front to back, use the smallest reliable measurement.
Plan your alcove around real measurements
Use the configurator to test bay widths, shelf depths, lower storage and live pricing before you order.
Configure alcove shelving