String furniture

String Furniture is a Swedish brand founded in 1949 by Kajsa and Nils Strinning in Stockholm. The story begins with a bookshelf design competition organised by the National Library of Sweden. The Strinnings won the competition with a modular system in metal and wood – simple, affordable and adaptable to any space. This system, named String, has remained virtually unchanged for 75 years. It is one of the very few furniture brands in the world whose flagship product has been in continuous production for three quarters of a century. The frame is made of lacquered metal (originally plastic-coated, later metal), with shelves in solid wood (oak, ash, walnut) or melamine panel. The system is entirely modular: you can start with 2 side panels and 4 shelves, then add more over time. The brand has remained family-run and still manufactures most of its production in Sweden. String Furniture is today distributed in more than 60 countries and features in the permanent collections of several museums (Vitra Design Museum, MoMA New York).

The String system is based on 2 main elements: the vertical side panels (in lacquered metal, heights of 50, 75, 115 and 200 cm) and the horizontal shelves (in wood or melamine, widths of 58 or 78 cm, depths of 20 or 30 cm). You fix the vertical panels to the wall (allow 2 panels for 1 bay, 3 panels for 2 bays in a row, and so on). The shelves simply rest between the panels at the desired height, held in place by a simple notch. You can add accessories: wooden drawers, doors, special cabinets, an integrated desk, magazine holders and vase holders. The system can be configured for any use: living room bookcase, home office, kitchen shelving, bedroom storage, hallway, bathroom (with the appropriate finish). The maximum height is 200 cm without ceiling fixing. You can dismantle and reconfigure it indefinitely, move house easily, and extend or reduce it. It is this flexibility that explains why a String system bought 30 years ago can still be added to today with compatible elements. At The Cool Republic, we offer the official String configurator so you can visualise your shelving before buying.

The cost depends on the number of bays and the finishes chosen. For a basic configuration (2 panels of 75 cm, 4 wooden shelves), expect to pay 350–500 euros. For a classic living room bookcase (3 panels of 200 cm, 8–10 shelves), expect 1,000–1,800 euros. For a full-wall configuration (4 panels of 200 cm, 15–20 shelves, a few drawers and doors), expect 2,500–4,500 euros. Finishes affect the price: white melamine shelves are the most affordable, oiled oak sits mid-range, while dark walnut and ash are at the top end. White or black lacquered panels are standard, with special colours (spruce green, brick red, ochre) available at extra cost. Given that the system lasts 50 years and more and remains extendable, the value for money is unbeatable. Take advantage of the official sales (January, July) for discounts of 15–25% on complete configurations. At The Cool Republic, we deliver throughout France, and assembly is straightforward (2–3 hours for a large configuration).

Yes, the String system is designed to carry substantial loads. Each shelf holds up to 25 kg of evenly distributed weight, which comfortably covers classic uses (books, tableware, decorative objects, vinyl records, files). For very heavy loads (a large book collection, archives), spread the weight across several shelves. The metal frame is fixed to the wall via the vertical panels, guaranteeing perfect stability. The fixings depend on your wall: on standard plasterboard, use the Molly anchors supplied (maximum load 30 kg per fixing, which is more than sufficient). On concrete, drill in the usual way and use Spit or Fischer plugs. For large-format configurations (4 panels of 200 cm), plan several anchor points per panel to distribute the weight. Durability is exceptional: String systems bought in the 1970s and 1980s are still in service today. Solid wood shelves age beautifully (the patina of oak or walnut deepens over time). Should a shelf break (which is rare), you can order the exact spare part from the manufacturer or from The Cool Republic. It is this longevity that justifies the initial investment.

String adapts to every type of interior thanks to its modularity and its choice of finishes. For a classic Scandinavian interior, go for white panels and oiled oak shelves. For an industrial or loft-style interior, choose matt black panels with ash or dark walnut shelves. For a colourful interior, play with panels in spruce green, brick red or teal (Pocket and Pira collections). String works particularly well in 4 settings. In the living room as a bookcase, filling an entire wall with books, vinyl records and decorative objects. In a home office to structure storage (with the integrated String desk). In a kitchen to store tableware, cookbooks and dry goods in jars. In a bedroom as a headboard shelf for books and lamps. A few tips for getting the look right: leave some empty space between the shelves (filling them completely looks cluttered), vary the height between levels (different spacings for books, objects and vases), add 1–2 potted plants to soften the effect, and display a few large pieces (an XL vase, a sculpture) to create visual rhythm.