Explore String Furniture’s main collections and learn how the iconic String shelf works, including panels, shelves, cabinets, installation, strengths and buying checks.
Article
When a wall feels empty but a heavy cabinet
would overwhelm the room, a String shelf can be a wonderfully gentle answer.
Its slim wire panels and light shelves keep sightlines open while holding
books, cups, plants and the little objects that make a home feel personal.
String Furniture offers much more than one
shelf. Its range includes the expandable String System, compact String Pocket,
closed storage in Relief, sculptural Museum pieces, the Works office range,
freestanding Pira and modular metal Center Center. Here is a friendly tour of
the range, followed by a closer look at the shelf most people know best.
1. The Story
Behind String Furniture
Architects Nisse and Kajsa Strinning
designed the String shelving system in 1949. Ladder-like wire panels support
shelves and storage modules at adjustable heights, creating a design that feels
light, orderly and distinctly Scandinavian. Its lasting appeal comes from
adaptability: a small bookcase can grow sideways, gain a cabinet or become a
workspace as life changes.
2. Main
Product Families
|
Series |
Core products |
Best suited to |
|
String
System |
Wall
and floor panels, shelves, cabinets, desks and accessories |
Living
rooms, kitchens, studies and hallways |
|
String
Pocket |
A
complete set with two wall panels and three shelves |
Small
walls, bedside use, kitchens and bathrooms |
|
Relief |
Drawer
units, cabinets, legs and plinths |
Closed
storage in living rooms and bedrooms |
|
Museum
Collection |
Shelves,
side tables, candleholders and pedestals |
Displaying
art and favourite objects |
|
Works |
Height-adjustable
desks, mobile storage and screens |
Home
offices and professional workspaces |
|
Pira |
Freestanding
aluminium modular shelving |
Large
rooms and light space division |
|
Center
Center |
Colourful
modular metal storage |
Offices
and contemporary homes |
A Visual Tour
1. A light, vertical String System composition
2. Wall storage with timber shelves
3. Compact String Pocket
4. Storage with a glass display cabinet
5. A shelf-and-desk home office
6. Galvanised outdoor configuration
7. Museum pedestal for a favourite object
8. Colourful Relief storage
9. Works for a flexible office
10. A bowl shelf for everyday accessories
이미지
출처 / Image source: Really Well Made의 String 제품 페이지
3. How the
String Shelf Is Built
A String System starts with panels and
shelves. Panels are fixed to a wall or stand on the floor, while shelf brackets
hook into the rungs at the required height. The official site lists floor
panels at 85, 115 and 200 cm high with a 30 cm depth, and wall panels at 50 or
75 cm high in 20 or 30 cm depths. Availability can vary by market, so confirm
the exact product code before ordering.
|
Part |
Purpose |
Check before buying |
|
Wall
panel |
The
wall-mounted frame |
Wall
type, depth and installation height |
|
Floor
panel |
Supports
larger floor-standing arrangements |
Ceiling
height and skirting boards |
|
Wood
shelf |
Warm
storage for books and objects |
Width,
depth and finish |
|
Metal
shelf |
Useful
in kitchens and other practical zones |
Approved
environment and finish |
|
Cabinet
or drawer |
Hides
visual clutter |
Panel
depth and compatibility |
|
Desk
or table |
Turns
shelving into a workspace |
Working
height and chair clearance |
|
Hooks
and holders |
Organises
clothes, utensils and magazines |
Compatibility
with the chosen series |
4. String
System vs String Pocket
String System is the expandable option: you
select panels, shelves and modules to build anything from a bookcase to a full
wall with cabinets and a desk. String Pocket, introduced in 2005, arrives as a
compact package of two wall panels and three shelves. In 2020, an all-metal
interpretation by Anna von Schewen and Björn Dahlström added a fresh material
option. Pocket sets can be placed side by side, but buyers should not assume
that Pocket and System components are interchangeable.
5.
Room-by-Room Ideas
·
Living room: combine open
shelves with a low cabinet for calm TV storage.
·
Kitchen: keep daily cups at eye
level and heavier items lower down.
·
Study: adjust shelf spacing to
book height and add a desk module.
·
Hallway: combine shoe shelves,
a rod and hooks on a narrow wall.
·
Children’s room: change heights
as the child grows, while keeping wall fixing and safety first.
·
Outdoor: choose the official
galvanised components rather than moving indoor timber outside.
6. Strengths
and Limitations
|
Strengths |
Limitations |
|
Visually
light and timeless |
A
larger configuration can become expensive |
|
Adjustable
and expandable |
Accurate
drilling and levelling are required |
|
Many
shelves, cabinets, desks and accessories |
Similar-looking
parts are not always compatible |
|
Can
be reconfigured after a move |
Wall-specific
fixings and tools may be needed |
7.
Installation Essentials
Wall construction matters most. Concrete,
brick, timber studs and plasterboard require different anchors and offer
different load limits. Even when screws are supplied, confirm that they suit
your wall. For heavy books or crockery, professional installation can be the
most reassuring choice.
·
Measure the complete width and
mark panel spacing before drilling.
·
Use a spirit level before
fixing the upper points.
·
Avoid likely electrical and
plumbing routes.
·
Follow the official load
guidance for the exact parts and wall fixing.
·
Distribute heavy objects low
and close to the panels.
8. Buying
Checklist
·
Decide first whether you need
Pocket simplicity or System expansion.
·
Record panel height and depth,
shelf width and finish codes together.
·
Check timber tones in person
when possible.
·
Confirm cabinet and desk
compatibility with the chosen panel depth.
·
Review authorised retail,
instructions, returns and installation cost.
·
Sketch how the system might
expand over the next year or two.
FAQ
Q. Can String
Pocket units be joined?
Several complete sets can be mounted next
to one another, but do not treat Pocket as a pool of interchangeable String
System parts. Follow the instructions for the exact product.
Q. Can it be
fixed to plasterboard?
Possibly, depending on studs, anchors and
load. Locate structural support or use a professional installer for heavy
storage.
Q. Can shelf
heights be changed later?
Yes. Repositioning shelves and many modules
is a central advantage, although heavy cabinets should be handled by two
people.
Q. Is it
suitable for bathrooms and balconies?
Check material and environment guidance.
Choose approved metal or galvanised outdoor components for wet or exposed
areas.
Q. Why is a
String shelf expensive?
The price reflects modular expansion, a
long design history, dedicated accessories and finish choices. Starting with
only the modules you need helps control the budget.
Conclusion
The loveliest thing about String shelving
is that it does not insist on one finished answer. Begin with one Pocket shelf
or build a larger System gradually. Measure the wall, list what you truly need
to store and choose compatible modules carefully; the result can remain calm,
useful and beautiful for years.
Sources
·
String Furniture official: history, components and dimensions
https://www.stringfurniture.com/ko/series/string/system
·
String Pocket official: package and design dates
https://www.stringfurniture.com/en-pt/series/string/pocket
·
Product range: current categories
https://www.stringfurniture.com/en/products
·
Korean availability: prices and configurations checked 4
September 2026
https://store.ohou.se/brands/16319
·
Images: product imagery and Korean range
https://reallywellmade.kr/collections/string