Short answer: Themis is a modular system of three units, each 32.0 inches (81.3 cm) wide and 24.0 inches (61 cm) high: a shelf, a cabinet with sliding doors and a desk. Each unit holds 50 lb (23 kg).
The shelf and cabinet are 11.0 inches (28 cm) deep and can be wall-mounted or freestanding. The desk is 17.0 inches (43.1 cm) deep and is wall-mounted only. Because every unit shares the same width and height, you can start with one module and add others later without anything looking mismatched. This guide covers what each module is, how it is made and how it is fixed to the wall. For planning a whole wall, see our guide to planning a modular shelving wall.
On This Page
- What is in the Themis system?
- What can a Themis unit hold, and how does it ship?
- Which finishes and panel colours does Themis come in?
- How is Themis mounted?
- How do Themis modules combine?
- How long does assembly take, and how do you care for it?
- Who is Themis for, and who is it not for?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our shelving and storage
What is in the Themis system?
Themis has three building blocks, and each one is a standalone unit. You can use one on its own or connect several. The shelf and the cabinet can be hung upside down or right side up, and the desk can too, so you choose which end faces up.
What is in the Themis system?
| Module | Size (W x D x H) | Mounting | Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Themis shelf | 32.0 x 11.0 x 24.0 in (81.3 x 28 x 61 cm) | Wall-mounted or freestanding | Oak, Walnut or Dove, with Canary or Eucalyptus back panels |
| Themis cabinet | 32.0 x 11.0 x 24.0 in (81.3 x 28 x 61 cm) | Wall-mounted or freestanding | Oak, Walnut or Dove, with Canary or Eucalyptus doors |
| Themis desk | 32.0 x 17.0 x 24.0 in (81.3 x 43.1 x 61 cm) | Wall-mounted only | Oak, Walnut or Dove |
The cabinet has two doors that slide open, each 15.7 inches (40 cm) wide. The desk adds a deeper work surface to the same frame, and it has no coloured panels. You can browse every option in our Themis collection.
What can a Themis unit hold, and how does it ship?
Each shelf, cabinet or desk holds 50 lb (23 kg). That suits books, baskets, plants, a printer or a laptop dock. As general advice rather than a product specification, put the heavier items on the lowest units and spread them across several shelves.
The limit applies to each unit, not to the whole stack. Follow the mounting steps below, and check what kind of wall you have before you drill. Each unit ships in one box: the shelf box is 33.5 x 13.8 x 7.4 inches (85 x 35 x 18.9 cm) and weighs 34.1 lb (15.5 kg), the cabinet box is 34.3 x 14.2 x 7.8 inches (87.2 x 36 x 19.9 cm) and weighs 41.2 lb (18.7 kg), and the desk box is 34.7 x 19.8 x 6.7 inches (88.2 x 50.2 x 17 cm) and weighs 40.2 lb (18.3 kg). Those sizes help when you plan the route in.
Which finishes and panel colours does Themis come in?
Themis comes in three frame finishes: Oak, Walnut and Dove. The shelf back panel and the cabinet doors can also come in two accent colours, Canary and Eucalyptus. Each coloured panel is reversible with Dove on the other side, so you can flip between a bold colour and a clean white backdrop when you assemble it. A Canary or Eucalyptus panel pairs with an Oak or Walnut frame. Dove frames come with Dove panels.
- Oak and Walnut: the side panels have an ash wood frame with a stained satin finish, and the panels and shelves are MDF with a 0.3 mm real wood veneer.
- Dove: solid ash and MDF with painted surfaces at 10% gloss.
- Canary and Eucalyptus: the back panels and doors are MDF with a melamine surface.
Our product pages list the materials as ash wood veneer and MDF. Choose Oak for a lighter, more natural look and Walnut for a deeper tone, and use Dove if you want the wall to stay quiet. Oak and Walnut are also available on our Aurora credenza and our Altitude wall shelves, so a media wall and a shelf wall can share a tone.
How is Themis mounted?
Every unit can hang on the wall. The back has four keyhole mounts, two on each side, so the unit works either way up. The shelf and cabinet can also stand on the floor.
Wall-mounted. Your box includes wall anchors, anchor screws, a spacer and a Phillips Allen key, plus a mounting poster. You tape the poster to the wall with a level, mark the two hanging points, set the anchors, screw in the anchor screws using the spacer to set their depth, and slide the unit down onto them. If you stack units, hang the bottom one first.
Freestanding. The box includes steel connector brackets to join units side by side or one above the other, felt pads for the floor, and anti-tip brackets with a security cable. The anti-tip bracket is fastened to a stud in the wall, so a freestanding Themis unit still needs to stand against a wall.
Because the same pieces work both ways, a wall setup can later become two freestanding side tables or low credenzas if you move. The desk cannot do this, since it must be on the wall. In a rental, check the building rules before drilling.
How do Themis modules combine?
Our layouts show a single shelf, rows of two or three, and grids up to nine units, in shelf-only, cabinet-only or mixed versions. Listed combinations include a desk and cabinet for a hallway nook, a desk, cabinet and three shelves for a living room wall, and two desks, six shelves and two cabinets for a shared office wall.
Our guide to a home office corner with modular shelving and a desk shows these layouts, and our living room storage guide covers using Themis in the main room. Altitude and Theia are separate wall shelf collections. Compare Altitude in our Altitude guide, or see the Theia wall shelf on its product page.
How long does assembly take, and how do you care for it?
We estimate 45 minutes for each shelf, cabinet or desk. Allow about 40 more minutes for the wall anchoring or freestanding setup. Themis is mostly tool-free: the box includes an Allen key, you will need a level and a hammer for the anchors, and you tape up the template poster. Assembly is the same for all three modules: the shelves slot onto the back panel with dowel pins, then the side panels connect with plastic clips. On the cabinet, you slide each door into its grooves before the second side panel.
The coloured doors are reversible, so you choose which side shows. Assembly guides for the shelf, cabinet and desk can be downloaded from each product page.
For care, dust with a soft, dry cloth. Wipe a stain gently with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry it right away. Avoid harsh cleaners, use coasters, and avoid long exposure to condensation.
Who is Themis for, and who is it not for?
Themis suits anyone who wants storage that can change: a wall-mounted desk in a small room, a mix of open and closed storage, or colour on a wall without painting. It may not suit you if you want a deep work surface, since the desk is 17.0 inches (43.1 cm) deep, or if you cannot fix anything to your wall.
Our recommendation
- A small work corner: one desk and one cabinet in Oak or Walnut.
- A living room wall: a mix of shelves and cabinets, with a Canary or Eucalyptus accent on a few units.
- A wall that may change: shelves and cabinets, so you can take them off the wall when you move.
- A calm look: Dove throughout.
Explore our shelving and storage
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.