If you're overrun with clutter or don't have enough bench space, open shelving could be the answer. Introducing string shelving, a usually wall-mounted, light and elegant form of shelving that offers modular design, complete flexibility, and the opportunity for some serious shelf styling in any room of the house.
String shelving technically derives from a brand name, and the hugely successful creators of the original Swedish design, String Furniture. According to the brand's website, the shelving system was first invented by Nisse and Kajsa Strinning for a Swedish publisher's design competition. In 1949, the Bonnier Group held the competition because they "realised that the majority of Swedish homes were not furnished with a focus on bookshelves, which made it quite difficult for them to sell books". The String was the victorious design and went on to grow in popularity in Swedish homes during the mid-century period.
Today, there are countless lookalikes, including the iconic Vitsoe shelving that can be sourced on second-hand marketplaces. In Australia, Freedom has created a lovely rendition, and Etsy sellers are always selling either lookalikes or, in some cases, the real thing.
There's no denying the popular appeal of open shelving. Whether you want to colour code your books or display the more aesthetically gorgeous kids toys designed for looking rather than touching. String shelving is an option for those who want a place to put things, who don't want a big, hulking closet or a closed piece. Whether you're on the hunt for open shelving for a children's room or the kitchen, a wall-mounted unit with adjustable shelves can be reconfigured over time, it can change as your needs do, and it always looks classic and elegant.
String Furniture's collection includes a series of ladder-shaped brackets, which are called wall panels, and shelves that can be customised for just about any configuration. No matter how you arrange them, the shelves are light, airy, and work well in minimalist, contemporary, and even older or period homes.
When the String Furniture shelving system rejuvenated in 2004 after years flying under the radar of most home makers, original designer Nisse Strinning designed a brand-new product, which he named String Pocket. This versatile and miniature version of the shelving system was designed to hold smaller items such as paperback books, smaller pot plants, and the like. String Pocket immediately became a success and remains one of the company's best sellers to this day.
Leave it to IKEA to create an elegant shelving system that is completely customisable and has the look of String Furniture's open shelves but without the price tag. Create your own personal wall shelf using Pershult brackets and Bergshult shelves. Designed to fit well together when you connect two brackets in a larger combination, it can also be mounted to create different looks.
The iconic String system is now available with galvanised shelves and panels to be suitable for outdoors and withstand any weather. Galvanised steel shelves offer a natural place to keep your garden tools, pots and other rough objects.
Inspire productivity in the home office with open shelves, adequate storage space, a folding table attached to the one unit and space to display treasures and creativity.
A bedside table to suit any age. Using an open shelving system as a bedside table give you a place to prop a vase of flowers and books, and gives you the flexibility to change things around at any time.
Display artworks, books and toys and give them plenty of space to play with open shelving that allows colour to do its magic in a room. Because string-style shelving is attached to the wall, it's a safe option for kids' rooms and playrooms.