Moveable feast: the best modular storage
Could storage get any hotter right now?
2019 was the year that the Kondo effect really took a hold. After the success of Marie Kondo's book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, which came out in 2014, the Japanese cleaning consultant followed up this year with her Netflix show, Tidying with Marie Kondo plus a global franchise of clutter consultants – which had even more of us stripping our homes of anything that 'doesn't spark joy' and sorting out our stuff.
We're 'stuffocated' and Kondo has clearly struck a chord.
It's not just about storing stuff or giving it away either, it's about enjoying the things we do own, which means displaying them where we can actually see them. And as any self-respecting instgramma knows, right now it's all about the shelfie – beautifully organised, colour coordinated and curated shelf displays that are shared with followers – for max interior inspiration.
See more shelving units.
So now's the time to invest in stylish storage solutions and what's better than modular storage that not only looks great, you can take it with you when you move, or rehouse in another room if you fancy updating your space?
Our edit includes beautiful bookcases that can be placed on the floor and wall-hung shelving units that can be added to if your collections expand or your requirements change.
String's pocket shelving is a younger sibling to the Scandinavian design classic, made up of components that allow you to build your own shelving system. But there are many new contenders in this vein too, as you will see ahead.
From Hay's Order shelving and Bo Concept's Como, which enable you to switch up the shelf sizes to the Musa shelving for Mogg and the Bend for Montana, which look fabulous before a favourite vase or beautiful book is even placed on them, there's much to suit your space.
So read on and find storage that sparks joy.
See these lust-worthy home libraries.
Como bookcase in Charcoal Grey, from £519, BoConcept.
Como comes in different colours and sizes, so you can make a combo to suit.
New Order shelving in Charcoal, from £415, Stefan Diez for HAY.
Designed by Stefan Diez for Hay, this clever system can be combined to create your own bespoke storage solution.
Dice wall-mounted unit in Oak and Grey, £150, John Lewis & Partners.
This versatile piece can be wall or floor mounted.
Musa shelf, £1,200, Alessandro D’Angeli for Mogg at Go Modern
This graphic wall-mounted shelf (available in matt lacquered black or gold) barely needs anything on it to look good.
Bend display module in Peppermint, from £1,298, Peter Lassen for Montana at aram
Bend is a configuration of wall units that create a sinuous shape on your wall, providing eight cubbyholes to arrange your stuff.
Aria bookshelf, from £4,800, Porada at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.
This modular bookcase has columns in ash which can be fixed to the wall or to the ceiling. Customise with shelves in ash or smoked glass, chests of drawers and containers.
Pocket shelving in Mustard, from £122, String.
One of the most stylish and versatile shelving systems available.
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The homes media brand for early adopters, Livingetc shines a spotlight on the now and the next in design, obsessively covering interior trends, color advice, stylish homeware and modern homes. Celebrating the intersection between fashion and interiors. it's the brand that makes and breaks trends and it draws on its network on leading international luminaries to bring you the very best insight and ideas.
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