Rails
The wall-mounted structure that carries the system.
System logic
What makes Mestra modular?
The system is built from repeatable parts rather than one fixed shelving unit. Rails create the vertical structure, bays set out the width, and shelves or storage modules attach within that framework.
Bays
The measured spans that decide the spacing and overall width.
Shelves
Open storage for books, display and everyday objects.
Drawer and door cabinets
Closed storage for the things you do not want on show.
- You want a planned wall shelving system.
- You want made-to-measure widths.
- You want shelves plus hidden storage.
- You want something warmer than metal shelving.
Limits
Where Mestra may not be right
- You need freestanding furniture.
- You cannot drill into the wall.
- You need fully scribed fitted joinery.
- Your wall cannot safely take the load.
How it works
Shelving
Open shelves attach using metal pins made from steel. They hang from the rails and create the positions for books, display and everyday objects.
Cabinet
Cabinets attach to the rails using the same steel pin system as the shelves, keeping the whole system simple, strong and easy to adapt.
Door cabinets and drawer cabinets can sit in the same modular layout as open shelves, so one wall can handle both display and hidden storage.
Product facts
Product facts, updated June 2026
These are the current practical ranges for the Mestra modular shelving system. Use them before you configure, especially if the wall span is awkward or the layout needs closed storage. The configurator shows a live price for instant-priced layouts before you order.
Bay widths
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.
Rail heights
For rail height, single-height rails are 900mm, and double-height rails are 1800mm. Custom rail heights are quote-only.
Depths
Open shelves can be configured from 210mm to 330mm deep. Drawer cabinets, door cabinets and cupboards are 360mm deep.
Making and ownership
Mestra is made in Norfolk from birch plywood with visible laminated edges. The current shelving lead time is six weeks or less from order confirmation. Ten-year warranty is included.
Why standard shelving units often do not fit properly
Off-the-shelf shelving units are made to fixed dimensions. That works in some rooms, but it often leaves odd gaps, weak proportions or a storage mix that does not match how the wall is used.
- Fixed widths can leave awkward unused space at the sides.
- Standard heights may feel too low or too heavy for the room.
- Most shelving systems separate display shelves from drawers or cabinets.
- Flat-pack materials can feel temporary when the shelving is a permanent part of the room.
A wall-mounted shelving system
Mestra fixes to the wall using vertical rails. The shelves and cabinets attach to the rail structure, so the furniture feels planned around the wall rather than placed in front of it.
Because the system is wall-mounted, wall type and suitable fixings matter. If you are not sure what your wall can take, start with the configurator and contact us before ordering.
Designed around real rooms
The system is useful when the wall is important: a living room storage wall, an alcove beside a fireplace, a home office wall, a hallway or an awkward span where standard furniture never quite lands.
- Living rooms and media walls
- Alcoves and narrow wall spans
- Home office storage
- Hallways and bedrooms
- Rooms where open shelving and hidden storage need to sit together
Shelves, drawers and cabinets
A useful wall usually needs more than shelves. Mestra lets you mix open display with drawers and door cabinets, so the finished layout can show the things you like and hide the things you use.
Made from birch plywood
Mestra uses birch plywood because it is strong, stable and warm in the room. The visible ply edge is part of the design, giving the system a more considered feel than standard flat-pack shelving and a softer look than metal systems.
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 moreLiving room shelving
Plan a living room wall for books, display, media storage and hidden everyday clutter.
Read moreAlcove shelving
Plan shelving for a simple alcove without committing to fully scribed fitted joinery.
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.
Are Mestra modular shelving units freestanding?
No. Mestra is currently a wall-mounted modular shelving system. It is designed for walls, alcoves and room spans where the shelving can be fixed securely.
Can I combine shelves with drawers and cabinets?
Yes. The system is designed so open shelves, drawer cabinets and door cabinets can sit within the same wall-mounted layout.
Is Mestra made to measure?
Mestra is made to order around the wall measurements and bay widths you choose. Standard production bay widths are 500mm, 600mm, 700mm, and 800mm, with in-between widths available in the configurator.
How does modular shelving pricing work?
The configurator shows a live price for instant-priced layouts before you order. Bay count, bay widths, shelves, cabinets and rail height all affect the price.
How long does modular shelving take?
The current Mestra shelving lead time is six weeks or less from order confirmation. Quote-only details may need an extra check before the order is confirmed.
What is modular shelving?
Modular shelving is built from repeatable parts rather than one fixed unit. Mestra uses wall rails, bay widths, shelves, drawers and door cabinets so a wall layout can be planned from the same system.
Where do the landing pages send me next?
The configurator is the main product destination. Use it to plan the layout, choose storage and review the design.
Start with the wall you have
Open the configurator to set the width, choose the bay layout, review live pricing and add the storage mix that suits your room.
Design your shelving