String shelving is designed to be expanded and rearranged, but a successful configuration begins with a clear inventory and an accurate wall measurement. Planning the system around real objects avoids shelves that look balanced on paper but do not provide the storage required.
What is the String system?
Nisse and Kajsa Strinning developed the original String shelving after winning a Swedish bookshelf competition in 1949. Its characteristic side panels support shelves and storage components, allowing a composition to change in width, height and purpose.
Which String system are you planning?
String product families and component sizes are not automatically interchangeable. Identify the exact system, finish and dimensions before ordering. Treat current product codes and compatibility information as the authority, especially when adding to an existing installation.
What do you need to store?
List books, records, screens, tableware, paperwork and display objects, noting their height, depth and weight. Place heavier or frequently used items where they can be supported and reached appropriately. Decide which items need doors, drawers or open shelves.
Turn that list into shelf lengths rather than a general impression. Measure a representative row of books or records, allow room for fingers and bookends, and reserve clear ventilation around equipment. A photograph of the objects lined up can be useful when reviewing a proposed plan.
How should you measure the wall?
Record width and height, skirting boards, sockets, switches, radiators and door swings. Check whether the floor and ceiling are level and whether curtains or architectural details reduce usable space. Leave room to install and adjust components.
Photograph the whole wall straight-on and add every measurement to one drawing. Include the distance from each obstacle to a fixed corner rather than measuring items in isolation; this makes it much easier to check whether a bay, cabinet or work surface will clash.
Wall-mounted or floor-standing?
The choice depends on the configuration, wall construction and desired use. A wall-mounted composition can keep the floor visually open; floor panels may suit larger arrangements. In every case, follow the manufacturer’s current fixing and load instructions.
Can a desk or cabinet be included?
Work surfaces and closed components can turn shelving into a home office, media unit or dining-room store. Check working height, chair clearance, cable routes and the door or drawer swing before finalising the composition.
Plan the arrangement in use, not only closed and tidy. A laptop, monitor, turntable or serving piece needs depth and cable space, while an open cabinet door can block the adjacent bay. Confirm whether the selected component is designed for the load and activity.
How do you plan for future changes?
Begin with the essential bays and retain a record of product codes and finishes. Colours and specifications can change, so future matching cannot be guaranteed. A well-proportioned initial system should still work even if it is never expanded.
Expansion also needs physical space. Leave a sensible edge near corners and furniture if another bay is genuinely likely, but do not compromise today’s layout for a vague future possibility. A smaller complete system is better than an awkward composition waiting for an addition.
Planning String at kin.
Measure carefully, identify every component and have the complete configuration checked before ordering. Correct fixing is essential and may require a professional installer.
Plan storage around the way you live. Compare String with our wider cabinets and shelving or desks, then send us your measurements for help reviewing a configuration.
