Jo contacted us in 2015 with a very specific but relatable challenge: how to store and organise her children’s growing collection of kids art supplies. The family had recently reorganised their main living space in their Berkshire home, and Jo wanted to create a dedicated area where paints, pens, paper, sketchbooks, craft tools, and materials could all be easily accessed – but also neatly stored away. The goal was to design a space that encouraged creativity without inviting chaos.
The solution came in the form of a custom installation using Elfa Sparring shelves, part of the traditional Elfa twin-slot range. This system gave us the perfect balance of strength, adaptability and visual simplicity. The clean metal uprights and brackets, combined with pale wood shelving, provided a modular setup that could grow and evolve with the children’s needs.
At the time, the full project – including design, supply and installation – came to £1,600. It was a comprehensive solution that included wall-mounted shelving tailored to different heights and purposes: deeper lower shelves for storage crates and larger paper rolls, and shallower upper shelves for paints, jars of brushes, and display of finished artwork. The flexibility of the Elfa Sparring system meant we could make fine adjustments even after the main install, simply by repositioning shelves and brackets.
Designed Around Creativity
From the start, Jo was clear that she didn’t want a traditional storage cabinet that would hide everything away. Her children were keen artists, and she wanted their materials to be visible, inviting and easy to use. The openness of the shelving system meant that the kids could help themselves to supplies, while the structured layout ensured everything had its place.
Over time, Jo updated the display with hanging clipboards for recent sketches, labelled baskets for different tools, and even a magnetic board set into the shelving layout for pinning up ideas and references. This combination of open and zoned storage became the heartbeat of her family’s creative corner.
Part of a Wider Shelving Revival
Though this project was completed in 2015, the aesthetic choices Jo made align beautifully with a revival that has since gathered momentum – the re-emergence of twin-slot shelving as a design feature. Once seen as purely functional (often relegated to school storage or garages), these systems are now being embraced by interior designers and stylists alike.
Influencers such as @a.start.of.something and @maisonbymia have helped popularise the look through beautifully curated living spaces. On platforms like Pinterest, the combination of wall-mounted metal uprights and timber shelves is now frequently spotted in kitchens, living rooms, and even creative studios – often styled with books, plants, and design objects.
Bloggers such as Alice in Scandiland have also highlighted how this classic shelving format can be updated with new materials, colours and styling approaches. The result is a growing appreciation for systems like Elfa Sparring shelves as not just storage solutions, but integral elements of interior design.
Why It Still Works
What makes this solution so enduring is its adaptability. Kids grow, their interests change, and their materials evolve – but the shelving doesn’t need to be replaced. Instead, it shifts with them. Jo’s family have since expanded their art area, adding a second bay of shelves and reorganising some of the original layout to reflect new creative interests.
This kind of versatility is what sets Elfa Sparring shelves apart from fixed furniture. They offer a high degree of customisation, while maintaining a light footprint visually. The result is a storage area that feels open and engaging, rather than bulky or enclosed.
Conclusion
Jo’s Berkshire family space is a brilliant example of how twin-slot shelving can be used to organise kids art supplies in a way that’s practical, inviting and beautiful. By using Elfa Sparring shelves, we were able to create a space that celebrates creativity while staying organised — and the system remains as relevant today as it was when first installed.
Whether you’re a parent looking to foster creativity at home or a designer planning a flexible learning corner, this project shows that shelving can be both functional and inspirational.
Read a wider assessment of this trend here
Organise Space – Elfa Experts
