For all those who would like to cash in on the current trend for urban art, but who can’t stretch to the £200,000 price tag for a Banksy, there is now a domestic alternative: the Hackney shelf from furniture designer Ryan Frank.

He describes it as a “mobile shelving unit showcasing graffiti art, random tagging and sporadic stencilling”. White boards are put up around east London with the sole aim of “attracting a variety of illicit city activities”. Once they have “matured”, or in other words have been graffitied on, they are then removed and made into shelving units.

Each piece is totally unique and created by some of the UKs finest urban artists. This eco-sensitive collection makes frequent use of sustainable materials and draws inspiration from the natural environment. Each unit is made of plywood board and at 185cm by 120cm, will fit comfortably in your average sitting room. It is also on wheels so can be moved around at will, unlike its graffiti counterparts.

Prices vary but each unit costs roughly about £2,200. Existing stocks are limited but new units can be commissioned. More information on the Hackney shelves and other designs can be found at www.ryanfrank.net.

It just goes to show: one man’s menace to society is another’s highly-priced shelving unit.