Furniture is provided with a telescoping joint that secures and spaces shelves and other elements. A stud has a tight fit in a hole drilled at each corner of a rectangular shelf. A spacer member of tubular shape slips over the stud and extends verticaly to the next stud joining to it in a similar telescoping fit. The stud can be of wound paper core material while the spacer may be of plastic pipe. No fasteners are required because of the snug fit between the elements. Knowledge of furniture manufacture can aid in its conservation.