String Shelving System Review (2026): A Versatile, Dependable Bookcase

String Wall ShelvingWhile Vitsoe might be the first name most designheads think of when it comes to modular shelving, I was introduced to the String Shelving System by a particularly stylish coworker in my 20s and have coveted my own ever since. Created in 1949 by Swedish architect couple Kajsa and Nisse Strinning, it’s a standard in countless Stockholm apartments, but they were new to me at the time.Shelving, especially the variety that needs quite a bit of installation, is a bit of an Achilles heel for me. Even though I had been eyeing the String options for years (I haven’t been in my 20s for some time now!), I’m more of a “measure never, cut if absolutely necessary” type of person and was somewhat daunted by the prospect of securing them for my space. Since I got my String setup back in March, I can’t imagine ever having lived without it!Delivery & setupTo guide my decision-making, I had to summon the measuring tape to make sure the units I was ordering would fit in my space. I worked with the String PR team (full disclosure, these were a gift from the brand), to find the perfect configuration and, after some back-and-forth via emails, I felt confident in my final choice.Onto delivery. Everything arrived pretty quickly to my doorstep. Each component arrived in separate boxes, so there were quite a few to bring up to my fourth-floor walk-up. Because the shelves are made of very dense particleboard with a wood veneer, they’re heavy, but not prohibitively so. I was able to bring all of the boxes up without too much effort.Photo: Rachel FletcherPhoto: Rachel FletcherWhat was the setup like, and how long did it take end to end?Anyone who is fairly skilled with a drill (intermediate to advanced level) could make this happen—especially if you have a partner to help you keep things aligned in the process. Part of the genius of the very minimalist String shelving is that the wire brackets are attached to the wall with a single, visible screw on each corner.That said, much like my colleague Maya Ibbitson did with her Elfa Shelf system, I called my handyman in since I do not possess any drilling skills and didn’t want to destroy the walls of my rental apartment in the process. It took him under an hour to get the full String system installed, with the most time-consuming part of the process spent figuring out which shelves went where using the diagram I was sent. Each piece looks pretty similar when unboxed, so we did a bit of Tetris to get things laid out and aligned on my (slightly wonky, pre-war) walls before he started.My experienceWhat do you store in your shelf, and do you think it feels sturdy enough to support what you have displayed there?Aside from my many, many books, one of my favorite things about the configuration I went with is the slanted magazine shelf! I love that it breaks up the grid so it’s not completely symmetrical, and as an editor myself, well, I’m naturally a magazine lover. I also adore the little storage shelves with sliding doors, where I’ve hidden a hodgepodge of things that are necessary but less aesthetic. Since I decided to install the shelves in my bedroom, I wanted to feature candles and soft lighting where I could enjoy them, and that’s been a pleasure to have in the room as well.In terms of sturdiness, I have zero worries about the stability of the system (which is more than I can say about the floating shelves I installed myself two years ago, most of which are no longer standing).How stylish is the shelf, and can you describe what you think it looks like set up? What kinds of decor styles would it suit?As a pinnacle of Scandinavian design, these shelves are super minimalist in their presentation and no detail has been left unconsidered. Though the construction of the wall shelves is quite simple and streamlined, the customizations are pretty much endless; you can work with light or dark woods, opt for fully metal shelving for a more functional look, and there are seemingly endless storage options from tiny cabinets to totally enclosed cubbies.Because it’s so customizable, it can also suit a wide range of decor styles, from minimalist to more eclectic spaces. And because the units are largely wall-mounted, people with little square footage (like me!) can feel empowered to design a living room or bedroom unit that stores their stuff in a completely aesthetically pleasing way.Does it seem worth it for the price/well-made in general?As with anything customizable, pricing on the String shelves can vary widely. A single wall shelf on Design Within Reach starts at around $350 and goes up from there, depending on the size of the unit you’re looking for. The pre-designed unit I found on the String Furniture site that most closely resembles mine falls around $2,800.Regarding quality for the price, I absolutely think it’s worth the investment. The great thing about modular shelving systems is that they can grow and adapt to your interior design needs. I definitely plan on packing mine up and adding on to it when I finally get a massive country house (any day now!) and I know that they’ll continue to serve me well.