Vitsoe 606 and USM Haller are the clearest examples of long-lasting modular shelving, because their makers say in writing that new parts fit old ones. Whichever system you choose, check that promise first, then the materials, the finish, the warranty, and how the system comes down when you move.
This guide sets out what to ask before you buy, and how three long-running systems, Vitsoe 606, USM Haller, and String, answer some of those questions on their makers’ and stockists’ pages.
Which modular shelving systems last for decades?
Vitsoe 606 and USM Haller are the two whose makers say in writing that new parts fit old ones. Vitsoe’s 606 system was designed by Dieter Rams in 1960, and Vitsoe says: “Every part we have made since 1960 still fits.” USM, whose USM Haller system dates from 1965, promises “guaranteed retrofitting”, saying each new development “can be seamlessly integrated into existing furniture.”
String was first designed in 1949, by Nisse and Kajsa Strinning, and reissued in 2005. One UK stockist, SCP, says String’s metal shelves fit its wire and plex panels of the same depth. We could not check String’s own site for a statement about parts from earlier decades.
Second-hand prices are another sign of a system that lasts. Vitsoe says 606 parts regularly sell second-hand “for around the same price as new (or more).”
Six questions to ask before you buy
- Will new parts fit the old ones? Ask whether the maker says so in writing.
- Can you buy one part? A system lasts longer when you can replace a damaged shelf or door on its own.
- Will your colour still be made? Vitsoe says the same colours will be available when you add to a system after many years. Montana, maker of the Montana System, says you can buy extra modules in the colour you chose for up to ten years.
- Can the surface be repaired? Some finishes can be renewed on the spot, while repairs to others tend to show.
- What does the warranty cover? Check the length, and whether it covers wear or only defects.
- Can it move house? Ask how it comes apart, and what it needs from the next wall.
What long-lasting modular shelving systems are made of
For each system, the table lists its main materials and what its maker or stockist says about adding parts later.
| System | Main materials | What the maker or stockist says about adding later |
|---|---|---|
| Vitsoe 606 (1960) | Anodised aluminium tracks and posts, powder-coated steel shelves | “Every part we have made since 1960 still fits” |
| USM Haller (1965) | Chrome-plated steel tubes and balls, powder-coated sheet steel | New developments “can be seamlessly integrated into existing furniture” |
| String (1949) | Wire or plex side panels; shelves include powder-coated steel | Shelves fit side panels of the same depth |
| Mestra | 18 mm Baltic birch plywood, hardwax oil | Parts sold individually, made to the width of the bay |
Metal, lacquer, or oiled wood: which repairs best?
Oiled wood is the easiest to repair one patch at a time, though it needs attention more often. Small chips in powder-coated steel can be touched up with matched paint, but deep damage means stripping and recoating. Film finishes such as lacquer protect well while the film is intact, but a spot repair tends to show.