How to prevent dust on photo gear stored on shelves?

I've noticed many folks keeping their camera equipment on shelves, and I'm quite fond of the concept. But when I gave it a shot, dust piled up really fast, and some even got past the lens caps onto the front elements. So, I just put everything back in my camera bag. Is there some secret to maintaining cleanliness that I'm missing?

Barrister Bookcases have glass doors to close over the fronts, reducing the air flow within but allowing view of the contents. This significantly reduces Sunlight and dust on the contents. Many law firms have these for their law library books and are readily available for home use, but I see nothing wrong with keeping your gear in their bags while on a shelf.

If you are like me and like to display a little history, then having things on display is important, but for me it's only my "old and not likely ever to be used again gear" that I keep for conversation pieces and nostalgia, that sit in the open.  Yes, they do get dusty, so I try to dust them about once a month. My present good cameras sit on top of a small metal tool chest with wheels located camera left in my studio, with one more camera in my field bag. They rarely get put in bags unless I will be using them out of the studio. Dust? My studio AC system keeps dust and temperature changes to a very minimum. The two main cameras that are left out do get wiped off with a microfiber cloth frequently, but they get used too frequently to be kept in their bags.

Before owning a studio, my camera and gear was stored hanging from the wall in the left end of my bedroom closet. Back then, I only had one camera bag, a few stands and lights, and a backdrop stand, with a couple of backdrops in plastic bags on the shelf. My living room usually doubled as my studio when it was needed.


Charley

I don’t keep my gear sitting on shelf, all mine are kept in camera bags.  

I keep my gear in my bag most of the time regardless.  The problem even in closets or cabinets is dust will find a way to get in.  

Zipper Lock type plastic bags work great for storage on shelves if not needing to be displayed. I keep folded backdrops and props of all kinds in these bags. It's easy to see what is inside, but the sealed bag keeps fabric from yellowing, props and gear from getting dusty. I keep at least one box of each size up to 3 gallon size available in my studio closet. For keeping cameras, etc. on display, a filtered HVAC system keeps the settling type dust level down really well, but there is always some. Then there are Barrister's Bookcases, closed in shelves with glass doors (think lawer's library type cases) that are available. With the face door closed, very little air can circulate to bring dust and sudden humidity changes in to affect what is stored inside, yet you can see it easily through the glass door.

Anything sitting open on a table or shelf will get dusty, but less if in HVAC. For these, I keep microfiber dust cloths handy, and wipe them down at least weekly.

Charley

Keep your gear in your camera bag till needed