Michael Kmet isn’t your average film and music enthusiast—he’s a veteran of the entertainment distribution world and a passionate collector of physical media. As the Senior Director of Sales and Ecommerce at Shout! Studios, a leading film and TV distributor, Michael lives and breathes entertainment both professionally and personally. So when it came time to finally solve the decades-old problem of how to store his growing collection of Blu-rays, DVDs, 4K UHDs, and CDs, he knew he needed a solution that was both practical and personal.
Like many collectors, Michael had gone through his fair share of disappointing shelving units. “I’ve had so many lousy DVD shelves in the past and wanted something that wouldn’t fall apart after a couple of years,” he recalls. For him, durability and spatial efficiency were non-negotiables.
The turning point came when Michael discovered Modern Shelving® through a YouTube video by fellow media collector Jeff Rauseo. The video showcased a custom-designed shelving system that fit Jeff’s media collection perfectly—and Michael was hooked.
“The fact that you worked with him to design shelves that were specifically sized for his physical media collection convinced me to go with Modern Shelving,” Michael shared.
Custom-Fit and Personalized Design
Determined to use every inch of his space wisely, Michael opted for a fully custom shelving system. “So many other shelves I’ve ordered in the past have been not quite tall enough or not quite wide enough,” he explained. “I wanted something that would use every inch of space I have.”
Working with the design team turned out to be a seamless experience. Michael appreciated the team’s patience and flexibility as he honed in on the exact specifications for his apartment’s unique layout.
Though installing the shelves himself was no small feat—“It was a hard day’s work,” he admits—Michael found the process intuitive and rewarding. “Everything about the process was intuitive,” he said. Once the shelves were up, they exceeded expectations.
Media Organization, Finally Mastered
The final result? A sleek, sturdy, and visually integrated storage system that houses all of Michael’s physical media in one place. “They’re very sturdy, and for the first time I have a storage solution that can store all my media in one place.”
After using the system for several months, he was so impressed that he went back and ordered additional parts to expand the setup for his growing CD collection.
While friends and family may lovingly poke fun at the sheer size of his collection, there’s no denying the visual impact of the shelves. “They think I’m insane for having so much physical media,” he joked, “but they all agree the shelves look great.”
Installed in his apartment office—a space where he also works during the week—the shelves feel like a natural part of the room. “Because they were designed custom for this space, they look like they belong in this room in a way that other random shelves would not.”
Are you a collector like Michael who’s ready to ditch the generic, wobbly shelves and finally invest in a storage system worthy of your collection? Let our design team help you create something that looks as good as it functions—just like Michael’s Modern Shelving® setup.
