Fitting shelves into an alcove?

Question

I'm trying to build some shelves into an alcove. I plan to line the sides of the alcove with wood as the surface is uneven (and the alcove not deep enough on one side). The problem is the skirting board at the back and sides of the alcove, which obstruct the lining. What is the best solution. Do I remove the skirting boards or somehow cut around them?

Answer 1

Certainly you COULD notch the inserted lumber. I wouldn't but it's just my opinion. I'd remove what's a kin to cove base molding; and insert 1 x pine or whatever from the ceiling to the floor of the alcove/cut out area. You have a few options of course; bit I'd opt for the smooth flow/consistency of creating the shelving unit to actually looks like it belonged there all along; rather than that it had to be modified to fit.
Without knowing at all, the original intent; perhaps the builder??? Considered it a more decorative touch than a practical/neccesary one?

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

What you can do is buy the wire basket draw type shelves that are ready made and can easily be fitted into smaller areas. They can come with side sliding brackets that you screw on the side walls only and your done. Some come with ready made frames you can just stand in the space as well.
There's a few options there. Have a look in a really large hardware supplier and see what they have and you see what I mean better that way.

Answer 3

if there not structual you can remove them but there probally hiding some flaws in the prevous construction so i would leave them-if your the owner remove them and see whats behind it. get creative-borring is borring