The best replacement for shelves is cabinets.

The best alternatives to shelves are rated as following:
★★★★★  cabinets
★★★★  ledges
★★★★  bookcases
★★★  shelfs
★★★  shelf
★★★  cabinet
★★★  shelves
★  racks
★  cases
★  book cases
★  drawers
★  wood shelves
  closets
  wall ledges

Your alternative for shelves is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about shelves, one probably shouldn't forget about baskets.

Other search terms related to shelves and their ratings are:
★★★★★ baskets
★★★★★ hooks
★★★★ brackets
★★★ drawers
★★ bins
★ visible brackets
★ corbels
★ desk
★ ladder
★ coat hooks
hidden brackets
storage baskets
basket storage
You have in mind a companion for shelves and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of shelves in all years. Click on graph for more.
shelves
cabinets
ledges