6 of the best modular wall shelving systems

This is a bit of an update on this post – but this time I’m focusing (for the most part) on wall-mounted modular shelving systems.

Most of these designs have a system of parts that can be customised and adapted to create your own unique configuration – not just with shelves, but with cupboards, cabinets and desk units you can add too. Whether it’s for books in the living room, as an open wardrobe in the bedroom or a home office in the spare room, the key is flexibility. The options are endless – your imagination is your only limit!

Match your modular wall shelving to the colour of the walls to help it blend in or use it to create an ever-changing display of objects and art. There’s plenty of ideas to make the most of any wall space, no matter the size of your room.

1. Shelf Library by FRAMA
First on the list for me is Shelf Library by FRAMA, because I think this is my dream shelving system. It was designed for the Danish brand by Kim Richardt and first released in 2016. It’s a contemporary interpretation of rail-mounted Scandinavian shelving systems that became popular in the early to mid Twentieth century.

Each shelf can be moved up or down the rail, and FRAMA has since released further add-ons – most recently a cabinet with a removable canvas front. It comes in warm white steel, stainless steel, natural oak and dark oak. You can choose from one of their popular configurations or build your own shelf library on their website.

Available in the UK from Really Well Made, Workshop Living, Nest, Tea and Kate and Holloways of Ludlow. 

Images: FRAMA

String System by String Furniture
This is the classic Scandinavian shelving system, which you’ve probably seen countless times before. And for good reason. Originally designed by Swedish designers Nisse and Kajsa Strinning in 1949, the String System has become a design icon. String shelves were revolutionary because they were affordable (at the time), flat-pack, lightweight, easy to transport and quick to assemble.

Their String planner is a great tool to create your own design. Choose between wall panels in two depths or floor panels, which reach a height of 2m. Then add any configuration of shelves, cabinets, drawers, writing tables, coat racks, hooks and accessories. I especially like the magazine shelves for showing your favourite books and magazines. You could create a whole wall of shelving, or if space is tight, use one of their String Pocket shelves in one of 15 colours. I’ll be adding the sage green one to my basket…

Available in the UK from Utility Design, Nest, Insidestore, Really Well Made and more. 

Images: String Furniture

3. 606 System by Vitsoe
The 606 Universal Shelving System by Vitsoe is another classic for the design purists out there. It was designed by Dieter Rams in 1960 and has become one of those aspirational designs that is representative of quality and considered functionality. Walk into a home with a 606 shelf and you know that person understands a thing or two about design.

The 606 system is an investment buy but you can start small – the idea is that you can begin with a single shelf then slowly add to it or reconfigure it over time. Vitsoe describe the system as a kit of parts, which all attach onto an aluminium track – without the need for any tools. It can be wall mounted, semi-wall mounted or compressed between floor and ceiling if you don’t have a suitable wall space. You can then choose between two bay widths – narrow and wide. The 606 system can be used for books and vinyl as well as kitchen or home office storage, or anything else inbetween!

It can be hard to know how you can make the most of your space so Vitsoe offer a free planning service where one of their experts will help you plan your system with you, find out more here.

Images: Vitsoe

4. The Moebe Shelving System by Moebe
Danish brand Moebe’s shelving system is endlessly adaptable – shelves, legs and other elements can be connected together in a number of different ways, then moved or changed over time. The shelves are held in place by small wedges, meaning that they can be set at any height you desire. You can build anything from an entire wall of storage to a TV stand, desk or wardrobe, or rotate a bay to fill a corner or create a room divider.

The legs come in black, white, warm grey, deep blue, and my favourite, pine green, while you can choose from oiled oak, black stained oak, white painted oak or smoked oak for the shelves. I love the combination of oak and green. They’ve also recently added new double-height cabinets and double-length shelves to the collection.

You can use Moebe’s handy Shelf configurator to build your own shelving system and instantly picture how it might look.

Available in the UK from Really Well Made, Holloways of Ludlow, Twentytwentyone, and more. 

Images: Moebe

5. Pier system by HAY
The Pier shelving system is a relatively new design for this list – it was designed by French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec in 2022. Made from lightweight aluminium and steel, it’s been designed to have the minimum number of components possible.

The Pier system comes flat-pack and is meant to be easy to assemble, reconfigure and recycle – you can move elements around as desired to adjust a configuration to your needs, whether that’s for the bedroom, office, living room or hallway. It comes in black, blue and white.

Available in the UK from Utility Design, Nest, Really Well Made, Twentytwentyone, among others. 

Images: HAY

 

6. New Works Shelving System by New Works
The New Works Shelving System was designed by New Works creative director Knut Bendik Humlevik in 2022. Ever a brand for detail, it’s made up of slender wall-mounted rails and angular bookends that are held in place with flat knurled screws in stainless steel. Choose from black or white brackets and finish with white, oak, walnut or black ash shelves. I love the combination of white and oak to balance warmth with simplicity. Set the shelves at different heights to create an appealing asymmetric arrangement and adapt as needed.

Available in the UK from Nest.

Images: New Works

And of course… I couldn’t not mention my wall shelves, which have a similar look but for a fraction of the price. I used the Kungsfors series from IKEA, in ash veneer. They come as single shelves (60cm in length), which I lined up three in a row to create wall to wall shelving.

And don’t forget secondhand! Sites like Vinterior are great for secondhand modular wall shelving systems; many aren’t cheap but they’re mostly in perfect condition. Use search terms such as ‘mid-century shelves’ or ‘Danish shelving unit’ or ‘Poul Cadovius wall unit’ or ‘Nisse Strinning wall unit’, for example.