One of our most striking recent projects involved the design and installation of a shelving system either side of a fireplace in a beautifully preserved 1930s home. The client wanted a solution that was both functional and characterful – something that would offer proper storage while complementing the architectural feel of the house. Prive in 2023 £2153
The final result was a unique pairing: Elfa brackets and uprights in Graphite, paired with bespoke beaten copper finish shelves. The shelves themselves were handmade with a warm, textured finish that echoed the subtle Art Deco touches found elsewhere in the house. Combined with the dark graphite framework, the whole arrangement created a rich and contemporary contrast that felt rooted in the home’s original character. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful 1930s shelving can balance period style with modern needs.
Bespoke 1930s Shelving for Classic Fireplace Alcoves
We designed the shelves to sit neatly within the two alcoves flanking the fireplace. This layout is classic in many British homes, particularly in interwar houses like this one. By using the Elfa twin slot system, we were able to offer a fully adjustable framework while keeping the look refined. The graphite uprights and brackets gave us the strength and stability needed for a semi-permanent installation, while still allowing for shelf repositioning or reconfiguration in future.
The beaten copper shelves were the real showstopper – offering not only colour and texture, but a natural patina that will only improve with age. We’ve found that more and more clients are interested in using materials that make a design statement. In this case, the copper shelves made the 1930s shelving feel luxurious and distinctive, giving the alcoves a bold but appropriate visual anchor.
Part of a Broader Open Shelving Trend
This fireplace project taps into a larger design movement we’ve seen growing over the past few years – the revival of open shelving in living spaces. What used to be considered a purely functional storage solution is now being reinterpreted as a key design element. Whether styled with books, art objects, ceramics or lighting, 1930s shelving can now be both practical and expressive.
This trend has been gaining traction on social media and in design media alike. Influencers such as @a.start.of.something and @maisonbymia have helped fuel this shift by showcasing beautiful open-shelving setups, often paired with mid-century furniture, plants, and curated displays. The result is a layered, lived-in look that still feels ordered.
Bloggers like Alice in Scandiland have shared DIY transformations that elevate even basic twin-slot systems. Painted brackets, timber or plywood shelves, and thoughtful styling turn them into centrepieces of a room.
In design circles, this look aligns with what forecasters describe as the Vinyl Era or warm minimalism – a combination of modular structure and rich, honest materials. This 1930s shelving project speaks directly to that aesthetic. It blends traditional architecture with modular versatility, making the most of the alcove format without feeling retro or overworked.
Built to Adapt
One of the key benefits of the Elfa twin slot system is that it allows for flexibility over time. If the client chooses to restyle the shelves in future – add books, artwork, framed prints or even change the shelf height – it can be done with minimal disruption. That’s part of what makes this kind of 1930s shelving so effective. It works within older spaces without locking the owner into one fixed layout.
The fireplace is often the natural focal point of a living room. By adding open shelving either side using a system like this, it’s possible to enhance that focus while also creating useful, beautiful space. Whether the goal is to display a collection or simply gain extra storage, 1930s shelving using modern Elfa components delivers both style and substance.
Organise Space – Elfa Experts
