When Hannah got in touch about adding a wall of shelves to her home in Finchley, North London, the brief was clear: clean lines, real flexibility, and plenty of space for displaying books. The result was a crisp, beautifully proportioned set of custom shelves, anchored on Elfa twin slot components but using superior board materials for a higher-end finish.
In my recent report on the aesthetics of twin slot shelves, I highlighted the shift away from the utilitarian look of traditional uprights and white chipboard. Hannah’s project is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and good materials can elevate even the most practical storage into something that’s genuinely elegant.
Key Features
This installation spans just over a metre in width, using three Elfa vertical uprights for stability across six floating shelves. The boards themselves were cut from high-quality, moisture-resistant MDF and finished with 1mm edging for a barely-visible seam. The effect is seamless, crisp, and modern—ideal for a light-filled room with an uncluttered aesthetic.
The final dimensions were carefully chosen to suit both the space and Hannah’s possessions. Each shelf measures 100cm wide by 30cm deep—generous enough for art books and large hardbacks without overwhelming the room. We also included a sixth shelf at no extra cost, to allow more flexibility in spacing. By adjusting the vertical gaps, we ensured there was no distracting overhang or awkward spacing between the wall and the bottom shelf.
Expert Tips
The key to successfully displaying books lies in stability and spacing. While Elfa’s standard chipboard shelves can flex under heavy weight, we used tougher, denser boards with clean edging for long-term durability. This approach also allowed for custom spacing between the vertical supports—essential when shelves exceed 90cm in length.
One of the most common requests I get is to minimise the visual presence of the top mounting rail. In this case, we concealed it behind the uppermost shelf, giving the whole installation a built-in feel. Another request from Hannah was to keep the option open for lowering the shelf heights post-installation. That’s the beauty of twin slot shelving: it’s fully adjustable. Even years down the line, shelf positions can be tweaked as book collections grow or objects change.
As with many of my recent projects, I avoided Elfa’s own laminated shelves and opted for custom-cut boards from a specialist supplier. This gives far more freedom in depth, thickness, and finish, and helps create a more architectural presence on the wall. If you’re looking at displaying books seriously—and attractively—this is the way to do it.
Need to Have…
To recreate a similar system for displaying books, you’ll need:
- Twin slot verticals with at least three fixing points into solid wall or studs.
- 18mm thick moisture-resistant MDF boards, ideally with 1mm ABS edging.
- Heavy-duty Elfa brackets matched to your shelf depth.
- Optional: a top shelf placed directly over the mounting rail for concealment.
How to Purchase Displaying Books Shelving
- Contact Jon directly at [email protected] or 07970 211084. I’ll help you plan and design a tailored book display system to suit your needs.
- Use the Elfa website to browse component options or create a cart list for pricing. Send me the list and I’ll help optimise it for durability and appearance.
- Try the Elfa design tool to sketch your idea, then send over a screenshot or download the parts list.
Conclusion
Hannah’s project is a textbook case of how to use twin slot shelving not just for storage, but for style. By prioritising material quality, clean details, and layout flexibility, we created a calm, contemporary wall of shelves that elevates her space and makes displaying books a pleasure.
For anyone looking to blend form with function in their home, this kind of installation offers the best of both worlds.
External Link: Plan Your Own System with the Elfa Design Tool
Internal Link: https://www.organisespace.com/elfa-wire-shelf-450510/
