@Karen -- The Metro shelving, yes, is a pretty penny. What I'm talking about in this post, though, is the InterMetro shelving. InterMetro is the less expensive line produced by the same company. You can build something similar to what I have pictured here for under $150 with InterMetro (at least you could when I priced a similar unit a few weeks ago).

I used those sturdy plastic shelves for a pantry in my old apartment, too. They had the advantages of being solid (so small bottles were steady, unlike on wires) and easily cleaned with the regular kitchen cleaner. I also made use of those boxy build-your-own wire shelf things, which are very inexpensive at stores like target (a set that would make a six-box set of shelves ran me about $15). Since you can build them in whatever configuration you want, I made a stepped one for my office area, a large one for organizing clothes in my bedroom (in lieu of a dresser), and, best of all, I could use them in my pantry closet to subdivide the enormous shelves and bottom space, creating more surfaces for storage.

You've already listed some of my favorites. A couple more suggestions:

Coat racks (the freestanding type) can help when there isn't enough storage in a closet, or the closet is awkwardly placed.

Furniture with built-in storage is an option; for example, there are storage ottomans.

I'm also a big fan of wood folding shelves. They are not adjustable, but they are prettier, so they can be used for many different situations. The set that I have has been used for a kitchen pantry, a nightstand/bookshelf, and is now serving as an entryway landing station. And when you move, they fold up nice and flat so they take up very little space in the moving van. When you get to your new place, you don't need a screw driver or anything - you just open out the sides and flip down the shelves. Some brands are stackable as well. My mom (who doesn't rent) has covered a wall in her kitchen with them.