Made in Cardiff
The Story Shelf
4.99 from 150 reviewsKeep their favourite books visible and easy to reach, without compromising your home's style. Solid ash and dovetail joints, with a front bar in the colour of your choice, made in small batches in our Cardiff workshop.
Painted by hand with child-safe paint, tested to EN 71-3. Not sure? Order a £3 sample
- Made to order, dispatched in 10–12 working days
- Free UK delivery
- Arrives assembled, ready to hang
- 14-day returns
The details
- Solid ash, sustainably sourced
- Chosen by interior designers
- Traditional dovetail joinery
- Recessed front bar, painted by hand in a soft matt finish
- Deeper and taller than most book ledges, so it holds more
- Designed to last beyond childhood
- Arrives fully assembled, with screws, wall plugs and keyhole markers
Delivery and returns
Each shelf is made to order in our Cardiff workshop and dispatched within 10–12 working days, fully assembled, with free UK delivery. You have 14 days from delivery to return it; return postage is paid by you.
Fitting and care
Slot the two keyhole markers into the back of the shelf, hold it level against the wall and press: they mark exactly where to drill, so there's no measuring. Then fit the plugs and screws and hang it. To clean, wipe with a soft, damp cloth; no polish or sprays needed.
Most children's furniture forces a compromise. This doesn't.
A front-facing bookshelf that sits comfortably alongside your furniture, not apart from it. Chosen by interior designers, and made to be handed down.
Solid ash. No shortcuts. No flat-pack.
Most children's furniture is made to be replaced. The Story Shelf is joined with dovetails, the joint cabinetmakers have trusted for centuries, so it holds the weight of a whole shelf of books and keeps going long after the picture books are packed away.
On the wall in minutes. No measuring.
- 1Slot in the markersPush the two keyhole markers into the keyhole slots on the back of the shelf.
- 2Level it and pressPlace a spirit level on the shelf, hold it where you want it and press it firmly against the wall. The markers show exactly where to drill.
- 3Drill, plug and hangDrill the two holes with a 6mm bit, push in the wall plugs, fit the screws and hang the shelf on them.
Which width suits your wall?
Each shelf is 4cm narrower inside than its size, to allow for the solid ends. Below, each one is shown filled with a typical mix of children's books, smaller ones in front of larger ones, as they sit on the real shelves.
Book counts are a guide only. How many fit will depend on the size and thickness of your own books: slim paperbacks stack deeper than chunky board books.
Most homes choose two.
Stack two or three to make a reading wall, in one colour or a mix. Sets are priced lower automatically: 10% off two, 15% off three and 20% off four or more.
Want more colour? The Colour Pop has a painted body with a natural ash or oak bar, and sits well beside this one.
Not sure on colour? Order real painted samples for £3 a colour, posted free. Each one comes with a code for £5 off your shelf.
“Every Story Shelf is made in our Cardiff workshop, and I build each one as if it were going on my own children's wall.”
Luke, our makerLoved by families
4.99★ from 150 reviewsLet customers speak for us
Really lovely frame - perfect for a kids room or cute prints in your home.
Excellent quality, beautifully made and arrived quickly too. Thank you!
it looks perfect with my daughter’s bookshelf.
Lovely item, perfect for my son's room
Great item, looks as on pictures
Brilliant idea, it's in my daughters room who loves to swap and change her artwork or certificates. It's easy to fit and works really well. Will be buying more.
Holds the weight of the poster!
I bought a £2 shein poster and couldn’t find a frame to fit it! This has made it look gorgeous in my son’s bedroom, very good quality & holds the weight of the poster.
So gorgeous in my daughter’s nursery! Highly recommend ✨🫶🏼
Absolutely would recommend this item, and the seller. Customer service is fantastic.
I would give this 6 stars if I could! Not only do I love my frame and the little hooks but the seller has the most excellent customer service - no query was too much bother! i will definitely be ordering more and recommending to other people too.
Love love love this!!! Perfect little addition to the reading corner in my children’s playroom 🥰
Quick delivery and made a perfect addition to my daughter’s room.
Beautifully made and quick delivery. Finishes off my daughters room perfectly
Lovely item looks great in my daughters bedroom
Good to know
Can I mix sizes and colours in a set?
Yes. The set discount works across any mix of sizes and colours, and it's taken off automatically in your basket.
Not sure which colour?
Order real painted samples for £3 a colour, posted free, from our colour samples page. Each sample has a code on the back worth £5 off a furniture order of £100 or more, one code per order.
What do I need to put it up?
A drill with a 6mm bit and a spirit level. Everything else, the screws, universal wall plugs and keyhole markers, comes in the box.
Will it work on my walls?
The universal wall plugs in the box work in both solid walls and plasterboard. Every wall is different, so if you're unsure, ask a professional for advice before fitting.
How high should I hang it?
Hang it so the books sit at your child's eye or chest height, where they can reach them comfortably while standing. A simple test: stand them next to the wall and see where their hand naturally lands. For a reading wall, put the lowest shelf at their height and use the higher ones for books you swap in. Avoid hanging shelves directly above a cot or bed.
Is the paint safe for children?
Yes. Every colour is painted by hand in our Cardiff workshop with a furniture paint tested to EN 71-3, the safety standard for children's toys.
When will it arrive?
Each shelf is made to order and dispatched within 10–12 working days, fully assembled, with free UK delivery.
