What do you need when you have a sure-footed cat and a collection of books and picture frames? You need to get rid of high shelving units (without learning it the hard way). This week’s Top Ten list houses a variety of open, horizontal shelving units whose versatile is surpassed only by its ability to stand upright – even when your heavyweight feline champ does an acrobatic flip off of the highest point in the middle of the night.

Top Ten: Horizontal Shelving Units.

Distressed Paint Colors or Modular and Contemporary, Horizontal Shelving Units Come Poised to Ground Your Collectibles and Books.

1. Extreme
DESIGNER: Marco Fumagalli
MANUFACTURER: Martex
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: varies

Like looking through the trees in autumn, the Extreme shelving units by Marco Fumagalli for Martex form a modular system that can be filled with everything from books to trinkets. Since it can be shifted around as you please, the Extreme works as either a horizontal or vertical shelving system for the living room, bedroom, dining room, or office.

2. Embrace
DESIGNER: John Green
PRICE: $450- 480
Dimensions: 14.75″H x 33.5″W x 13.8″D

Perfect for a child’s room as a low bookshelf, the Embrace by John Green comes in sustainably-sourced birch, oak or walnut wood. Based in the UK, Green’s cool little unit can act as a shelf, bench, coffee table, side table, and children’s desk.

3. D5
MANUFACTURER: Denz
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: varies

Insert shelves into the external and central side panels of the D5 by Denz for easy repositioning with an Allen key and you’ve got a custom-width shelving unit. Made from acrylic and using standard slots to fit the shelves into the structure, the grid comes in three and two standard grid heights with side panels in the basic high-gloss colors of black, metallic aluminum, anthracite and white.

4. Snug-It
MANUFACTURER: Ecosystems
PRICE: $1960- 5600
Dimensions: 54″W x 54″H x 11″D

Given that the Snug-It shelves are tall and wide alike, they can be positioned horizontally and loaded with anything under the sun and used against a wall or as a honeycomb-esque room divider. Each is made from FSC-Certified wood (and even reclaimed wood in one version) that is finished in a low-VOC, clear natural oil finish.

5. 0 + 1
MANUFACTURER: Domus Design Collection
PRICE: $2,520- 6,300
Dimensions: 12″D x 82″H x 39- 156″W

The super minimalist style in subtle finishes of light ash wood or stained ash wood makes the 0+1 shelving unit by Domus Design Collection stand out against bright walls or flooring. It can be configured in a low and wide or high and wide version, but both can expand to fit the needs of any room.

6. Stagger Server
MANUFACTURER: Brave Space Design
PRICE: $2,540- 2,640
Dimensions: 80″L x 41″H x 14.5″D

The Server is a low Stagger shelving unit best used for displaying books and collectibles. Using asymmetrical design, the modular cabinets can be enclosed or left open to accommodate any level of privacy. Made from amber and natural bamboo ply with a non-toxic finish, the Brave Space Design makes each unit by hand.

7. Willow Low
DESIGNER: Wilhelmina McCarroll
MANUFACTURER: Zuster
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 63″- 189″W x 15″D x 30″H

Available in standard and custom sizes, the Willow Low bookshelf is seen here in a Pebble Ash finish but comes in all Zuster finishes. Designed and manufactured in Melbourne, Australia, it’s a custom-width shevling system with an edge.

8. Step Low
MANUFACTURER: Tema
PRICE: $644
Dimensions: 35″H x 64″W x 14″D

Thick and contemporary, the cherry, wenge, or pure white finish on the Step Low Shelf by Tema uses a two-tier design that is small and completely functional for any space. Dividers help to separate like bookends or can be seen as a visual break in the wood that creates a refreshing take on quality wood design.

9. Flying Circles
DESIGNER: Massimo Castagna
MANUFACTURER: Ceccotti Collezioni
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 65″H x 15.75″D x 88.5″W

Unusual by nature of the materials and shapes used, the Flying Circles Bookcase from the Modern Sense Collection by Massimo Castagna for Ceccotti Collezioni is a modular unit. Made from solid American Walnut or Ebonized Wood, each divider combines a stylish black nickel finished with steel rings as supports.

10. Stacked Sideboard
MANUFACTURER: Wisteria
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 61″W x 19.5″D x 37.5″H

The Stacked Sideboard by Wisteria finds itself leaning traditional but with a stunning distressed paint finish that works to warm up modern open spaces or as a great bathroom storage addition due to its small stature.

Hope you enjoyed our roundup of the Top Ten Horizontal Shelving Units!

Top Ten articles publish every Tuesday. Email 3rings@designerpages.com if there’s a category you’d like to see.