Modular shelving has been around forever. The idea of interchangeable, reconfigurable storage isn’t new. But the way people are thinking about it now, and the way I’m designing it, has shifted noticeably over the past couple of years.

I’m building more modular shelving systems than ever. Probably a third of my current commissions involve some form of modular or reconfigurable storage. That’s up from maybe 10% five years ago.

Here’s what’s driving that change and what I’ve learned about designing modular systems that actually work in people’s homes.

Why Modular Is Having a Moment

The obvious answer is that people move more often and living spaces are changing. But I think it goes deeper than that.

The real driver is that people are tired of built-in cabinetry that’s expensive, permanent, and tied to a specific room layout. When your living situation changes, whether that’s a new house, a new baby, or working from home, fixed joinery doesn’t adapt.

I had a client last year who’d spent $18,000 on built-in bookshelves in their previous house. Beautiful work, but they left it behind when they moved. They came to me wanting something equivalent in quality but portable.

That’s the brief I’m getting more and more: quality construction, real materials, but designed to come apart and reconfigure.

What’s Actually Working in Modular Design

The systems I’m building that clients love share a few characteristics.

Discrete modules that stack and connect. Individual boxes, typically 400mm to 800mm wide, that can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or in combinations. Each module is a self-contained unit that looks good on its own but gains functionality when combined with others.

The connections need to be robust but tool-free. I use a combination of interlocking wood joints and captive brass threaded inserts that allow modules to bolt together with a single hex key. Strong enough for daily use, easy enough to reconfigure in an afternoon.

Consistent dimensions with variable internals. The external dimensions stay the same across the system, so modules are always interchangeable. But inside, you can have different configurations: open shelving, drawer units, closed cabinets with doors, wine storage, record storage, whatever the client needs.

This is where custom work really shines over retail modular systems. I can build modules specifically for what a client actually stores, not generic configurations that sort of work for everything but aren’t ideal for anything.

Wall-mountable and freestanding options. Some clients want their shelving on the wall, others want it freestanding. I design the modules to work either way, with a French cleat system for wall mounting and optional base frames for freestanding use.

The French cleat approach is important because it makes wall-mounted modules easy to lift off, rearrange, and reinstall. No complex hardware, no wall damage when you reconfigure.

Materials I’m Using

The material choice for modular shelving is different from one-off furniture pieces. You need consistency across modules that might be built months or years apart.

Baltic birch plywood is my primary material. It’s dimensionally stable, strong, machines cleanly, and has an edge grain that looks good when exposed. When a client adds modules to their system two years from now, the material will match what I built originally.

Solid timber is harder to match over time. The colour shifts, the grain varies between batches, and seasonal movement becomes a problem when you’re trying to make modules that stack precisely. I use solid timber for accents, drawer fronts, and door panels, but the structural boxes are plywood.

Oiled or lacquered finish depends on the client’s aesthetic. Oil gives a warmer, more natural feel and is easy to touch up. Lacquer is more durable and easier to clean. For modular systems that might get a lot of handling during reconfiguration, lacquer tends to hold up better.

I’ve also been experimenting with natural linoleum for some module surfaces. It’s durable, comes in good colours, and adds visual variety to a system that might otherwise look monotonous.

Design Mistakes I See Everywhere

The most common problem with modular shelving, both custom and retail, is that the modules are too big. A 1200mm wide module is heavy, awkward to move, and limits your arrangement options.

I keep my modules under 800mm wide and under 400mm tall for individual units. That makes them light enough for one person to handle and small enough to arrange in interesting configurations.

Another mistake is over-engineering the connections. I’ve seen modular systems with elaborate metal brackets, cam locks, and proprietary hardware. They’re a nightmare to assemble and impossible to replace when a piece of hardware breaks or goes out of production.

Simple connections last. A wooden tongue-and-groove joint that locates the modules, with a couple of threaded fasteners that hold them together, is all you need. The simpler the connection, the more likely the system will still be configurable in ten years.

The Grid Problem

One challenge with modular design is the tyranny of the grid. When everything’s the same size, arrangements can look regimented and institutional.

I solve this with a few techniques.

First, I vary the depth of modules. A system might include 250mm deep modules for books alongside 350mm deep modules for display objects. The depth variation creates visual interest from the side view.

Second, I leave deliberate gaps in the arrangement. Not every position in the grid needs to be filled. An empty space in a shelving system creates breathing room and prevents the wall of boxes look.

Third, I mix open and closed modules. A shelving wall that’s entirely open feels like a library (which is fine if that’s what you want). Mixing in closed modules with timber doors or woven panel inserts breaks up the visual rhythm.

What Clients Get Wrong

The most common mistake clients make is planning for exactly what they own right now. Modular systems should accommodate what you’ll own in five years, not just today.

I always recommend buying 20-30% more module capacity than you think you need. The extra modules can sit in storage or be used elsewhere in the house. When your storage needs grow, and they always grow, you’ve got capacity ready.

The other mistake is choosing form over function. I had a client who wanted a beautiful asymmetric arrangement that looked fantastic but put the most frequently used storage modules in the least accessible positions. We redesigned with functionality first and aesthetics second, and ended up with something that looked just as good but actually worked for their daily routine.

Pricing and Value

Custom modular shelving isn’t cheap. A typical system of 12-15 modules runs $4,000 to $7,000 depending on materials and complexity.

But compared to built-in joinery for equivalent storage, it’s usually 40-60% less expensive. And you take it with you when you move. Over two or three living situations, the cost per year of ownership drops well below what fixed cabinetry would cost.

The other value is adaptability. Your modular system changes with your life. New hobby? Add a module configured for that. Kids leave home? Reconfigure from storage-heavy to display-heavy. Home office needed? Rearrange modules to create a desk-height workspace.

That flexibility is worth paying for. Fixed furniture solves today’s problem. Modular furniture solves tomorrow’s problem too.