STACKING THE ODDS
Space is so often at a premium in London homes but Katie Law says that clever, good-looking, flexible shelving for renters and buyers can make a style statement
Whether we are renters or owners, we all want clever, flexible shelving that won’t ruin the walls, take hours to put up or break the bank. It’s all about lightweight materials, modular design and good looks to suit the demands of our ever-diminishing spaces.
We also want to be able to pack it all up and take it with us when we move. Here’s our selection of the best-looking buys in town.
1 The string system
One of the best systems available is the string system, which is both cool and practical. Originally created by Swedish designer Nils Strinning in 1949, string consists of wire or laser-cut clear Perspex panels that act as brackets, onto which metal, wood or plastic shelves can be fitted to suit your individual needs and taste. The shelves are based on standard widths of 60cm and 80cm, and depths of 20cm and 30cm. The string system in ash with white floor panels is priced from £72 (skandium.com).
2 Grow!
This super-lightweight modular shelving unit is designed by Marine Peyre for German brand Movisi, which counts the BBC, Google and Ron Arad as clients. Grow! is made from 95 per cent air and five per cent recyclable plastic foam, and has only three components: the main piece, the connectors and the lid. There are more than 10,000 configurations (shelves, benches, tables, screens, etc) and assembling it requires no tools. Available to order later this year at crowd-funding site Indiegogo, from £48 for four (grow.movisi.com).
3 Cox & Cox
From rustic to vintage to industrial, Cox & Cox has shelving solutions. Lace-edged shelving is £140. For a more pared-down feel, mango wood and black iron-frame shelves appear free-floating and require nothing more than a couple of screws in the walls from which to hang the two keyhole hooks at the back. Small size £40, large £60 (coxandcox.co.uk).
4 Ikea flexibility
If you want a completely open-plan, flexible storage system, Elvarli, designed by Ehlén Johansson could be the answer. Self-assembly white powder-coated steel frames and white acrylic painted shelves can be mixed and matched to create a system for your bedroom, utility room or kitchen. Add closed drawers and hanging poles to suit. The system works especially well under eaves. From £100 for the simplest unit, up to £456 (ikea.com).
5 Made.com
This statement Polygon shelving unit by Luka Stepan is made with ash or walnut veneer and comes in a choice of finishes, including warm wood, white or grey. Handy for practical shelving and display, it also makes a clever room divider. From £299 (made.com).
6 Tingo at Habitat
Tingo zigzag metal shelving, designed by Matthew Long, consists of hand-welded, powder-coated iron units that let you store and display objects at weird and wonderful angles. Ready assembled, the double size is £1,200, or single is currently down to £715 from £795. Also at Habitat, the Calvo black powdercoated iron bookcase with a graphic silhouette, part of the Calvo “skinny linear” in-house range, is £795 (habitat.co.uk).