Frequently asked questions

What is modular shelving and why is it a good investment

Modular shelving is a kit of parts. The system can evolve and adapt to different environments and spaces, growing or shrinking over time. You can buy one shelf or an entire library. A bit like Lego, the shelves can be moved, swapped, added to and rotated – without using tools – by simply repositioning a few small aluminium pins. You can start with the minimum you need and add more later: dismantle it, reconfigure it, take it with you when you move. Nothing gets thrown away. Designed and made to last generations, it is timeless in both form and function, and constant additions and improvements ensure that it always caters for today’s needs.

Find out more at our 606 section.

What is a planner?

A planner is your own dedicated personal designer. They will plan your furniture precisely for your needs and solve any problems you may have throughout the buying process.

We have planning teams in the UK, Germany and the United States serving customers worldwide with expert help and advice via video call, telephone, email or in-person at one of our shops.

Our planners do not earn commission and will never pressure customers into a decision. In fact we actively encourage our customers to buy less, initially, and then to only add more later if they find they need to.

Our service is free of charge and there is no obligation to buy.

Meet our planners.

How can I buy a 606 shelving system?

We offer a free 606 planning service. We ask you to measure and photograph your space and decide how you want to use your system. Then you can fill out an online inquiry form, or contact us via telephone, video-call, email or in person at one of our shops. One of our expert planners will design your modular shelving system with you.

How to buy 606.

How can I buy additional shelves, cabinets, bookends, etc?

Once you are a Vitsœ customer you can buy more shelves and bookends directly online via your My Vitsœ account. For other products, please contact your planner.

Can I order spares or buy small components, such as wall fixings or extra aluminium pins?

Yes, please just contact your planner. Within reason, fixings and pins are free of charge to existing customers.

I own / have inherited a 606 shelving system from the 1960s / 70s / 80s - will your components fit?

Yes. Our products are designed with longevity in mind so customers can always add, upgrade or change parts. Many of our customers inherit 606 from their parents or grandparents and are able to change the system to suit their personal needs using a mix of existing and brand-new parts.

Is Vitsœ the only maker of 606?

Today Vitsœ is the only company – worldwide – with access to Dieter Rams’s exclusive licence to make and sell the 606 Universal Shelving System. Vitsœ has made 606 continuously since the system was designed in 1960.

In 1987 Rams and Vitsœ granted a licence to the Italian company, De Padova, for an aluminium version of 606. In 1995 Rams granted a licence to the German company, sdr+. However, both licences are long terminated.

Can I use it in the kitchen?

Yes. The durability of the metal shelves means that heat, humidity and grease will present no problems if your saucepans are stored on them near your cooker.

Shelves will store your cookery books. Pans can hang from a shelf with a hanging rail. Cabinets will store your cutlery and crockery. Wine bottles will stand up in a one-drawer cabinet.

A double-sided compressed system creates an island unit between cooking and dining.

Will it work as a wardrobe?

Yes. Anything from a shelf with a hanging rail right through to a complete walk-in wardrobe.

The beauty of using the shelving system is that all positions are adjustable – simply move hanging rails up and down as seasons and fashions change (or as children grow). Sloping shelves make ideal storage for your shoe collection.

Can I use it as a room divider?

Yes. 606 is brilliant for this.

First, compress the X-Posts between the floor and ceiling. Then add as many shelves and cabinets as you like to create a more or less solid division.

Can I install a system in corners and awkward spaces?

Yes. The configurable nature of 606 means it is particularly suited to troublesome areas and able to adapt to different environments and spaces.

We do not need to make corner shelves because 606 is versatile enough to offer better solutions – and your shelves can be reused in another home when there is no corner.

Our expert planners will always strive to help you find the perfect solution.

What are the components made of?

Shelves:

Our metal shelves are made from 1.6mm thick mild steel. After forming, it is epoxy-polyester powder-coated to create a tough, durable semi-gloss finish (sample available on request).

Our single-shelf, double-shelf and shelf with drawer are made with a polyurethane lacquer over medium-density fibreboard with anodised-aluminium end-plates.

Cabinets, desk shelves, integrated tables:

Cabinet tops, bottoms and fronts are made with a polyurethane lacquer over medium-density fibreboard. The cabinet end-plates are anodised aluminium. Desk shelves and integrated tables are laminated.

E-Tracks, X-Posts and cross rails:

They are made of extruded aluminium. They are anodised with a natural aluminium finish.

In which colours are the shelves available?

Metal shelves: Off-white (RAL 9002). Black (RAL 9005). Silver (RAL 9006).

Single-shelf, double-shelf and shelf with drawer: as above, but also in beech veneer.

In which finishes are the cabinets, desk-shelves and integrated tables available?

Cabinet tops and bottoms are available in off-white, black, silver or beech veneer but the fronts are always coloured (off-white, black or silver) to combine with metal shelves. The end-plates are anodised aluminium.

Desk-shelves and integrated tables are available in off-white, black, silver or beech veneer. The end-plates are anodised aluminium.

Can I mix components (wood / metal etc)?

Yes. There is no limit other than your imagination.

Beech cabinets combine wonderfully with metal shelves because the cabinet’s front is the same colour as the neighbouring shelves.

Beech combines equally well with off-white (the original 1950’s Braun combination) as it does with black or silver.

Do the shelves and cabinets surface scratch?

Our shelves are epoxy-polyester powder-coated, which is a tough finish. But metal can scratch this surface. We recommend avoiding using metal-bottomed files on shelves.

After years of use, the metal shelves (only) can be given a new lease of life with a mild cream cleaner.

Our cabinets are painted with a polyurethane lacquer, which is a moderately durable finish but not as tough as the metal shelves. Rough-bottomed vases or pots will scratch surfaces if dragged across a cabinet. Touch-up paint is available to buy upon request.

If a surface becomes damaged, the top and bottom panels can be swapped so the damage is no longer visible. Alternatively we can provide replacement panels.

What can I use to clean my shelves and cabinets?

On shelves, we recommend using warm water on a cloth. If the mark is still visible, use a cream cleaner and a cloth lightly over the surface.

On cabinets, we recommend using warm water with a little washing-up liquid on a cloth, especially for hand marks on drawer fronts.

We have found E-cloths to be the best around.

Do I need a wall?

Not necessarily. The system can be compressed between the floor and ceiling or even configured to be a free-standing system.

If you are unsure about your wall type, it is best to speak with your planner who will be best placed to assist you further.

Can the system be installed onto plasterboard / gypsum board?

Yes. Using the best modern cavity fixings a plasterboard / gypsum board wall will accept most domestic loads. Our system is installed on such walls daily.

Can the system be installed onto a lath-and-plaster wall?

Yes. Although, almost certainly, you will need to rely on the floor to achieve a desirable loading.

Please, check our planning guide, semi-wall mounted section.

How do I know what type of wall I have?

The best method to deduce the type of wall is by knocking on the wall. Additionally, the age and type of building can be considered.

As a rough guide:

A solid wall is made of masonry, brick or concrete. It sounds true and solid when you tap it with your knuckle. It is ideal.

A plasterboard / gypsum-board wall sounds hollow and consistently crisp wherever you tap.

If you are unsure whether a wall is plasterboard / gypsum-board or lath-and-plaster, try running your palm over the surface. A wall that is perfectly straight is likely to be plasterboard /gypsum board, one with undulations is likely to be lath-and-plaster.

A wall which varies from dull to hollow sounding may either have blown plaster or have cavities at some points in the wall.

If in doubt, please consult your planner.

How do I measure / what measurements do you need?

To begin, we need to know about your space. Ideally we need some pictures; measurements are essential: the full width and height of your space, not just the area you want to use (see below).

If you can, measure where any sockets, switches or other obstructions appear on your wall – and tell us what your wall is made of.

For more help with measurements, please refer to our planning guide.

Is my wall / floor / ceiling strong enough?

The system is only as strong as the wall or floor on which it is relying.

Hence, a wall-mounted system is only as strong as the wall to which it is attached, while a semi-wall mounted system relies on a wall and a rigid floor too.

The compressed system allows the shelving to be used without a wall. A rigid floor is essential. A solid ceiling is best, but a plaster or plasterboard / gypsum board ceiling is suitable.

Is the system strong enough?

The 606 system is only as strong as the wall, floor and ceiling to which it is attached.

The strong metal shelves are designed to carry books and files. A DJ told us that it was the first system he’d ever had that held his entire vinyl LP collection without collapsing.

Cabinet tops are not intended for heavy load-bearing.

How much weight can I put on a shelf?

This shelving system has been in continuous production since 1960; it is tried and tested. But, however good the pedigree, any storage system ultimately relies on the strength of the wall, floor and ceiling to which it is attached.

What do I do about my TV?

Cabinets hold most TVs if spread across two cabinets.

TVs can be wall-mounted within the design of your shelving system. Let us know the shape and size and we will add it to your drawing.

Using a semi-wall mounted system gives you extra space for lots of wiring. Ask us about our cable conduit for tidying up the wires.

Can I store my vinyl / LPs / records on the system?

Yes. They can be stored on the 14¼” deep shelf. They will not fit on the 11⅞” deep shelf.

Always use the narrow 26¼” bay, which is best for heavy loads.

When installed on plasterboard /gypsum board walls or other soft-surface walls, never allow the bottom shelf to be level with the bottom of the E-Track as this may cause the surface to fail locally.

If the shelf is to be hung from the bottom hole of the E-Track, loading must be restricted to light / medium weight only. Alternatively, use a semi-wall mounted structure. Using a high bookend will help to keep your vinyl records upright.

Can I hide my wiring?

Yes. For a wall-mounted system, put the bottom shelf (or cabinet) just above the electrical sockets. By doing this you will hide the sockets from view without preventing their use. Then coil the excess wires (and multi-gang extension leads) onto the bottom shelf.

For semi-wall mounted systems, the fact that the system stands in front of the sockets and plugs allows them to be obscured by shelves/cabinets (which can be hung lower than on a wall-mounted system) whilst still allowing their use.

Remember that shelves (empty!) can be lifted up by the front lip to make space for a plug to be passed behind. Hence you do not need to detach the shelf to run your wires around. Cabinets do need to be detached, or run your wires before hanging your cabinets.

Final tip for tidy cable management: you can hide unsightly wires and cables by running them through the E-Tracks and keeping them in place with the aluminium pins.

Is it easy to move the shelves?

Yes. Tools are not needed, just some patience whilst you develop the knack (see page 26 of ‘Installation and Beyond’ that comes with your delivery).

Always empty the shelf you are moving as well as any immediately adjacent shelves.

Preferably use another pin to help you push the relevant pin to one side while you take the weight of the shelf at the front bottom corner.

This is an adjustable system where owners really do move the shelves around rather than leave them ‘fixed’ for evermore.

Can I turn a shelf upside down?

Yes. By reversing a shelf, a number of possibilities are created:

Firstly, the shelf-ends are now pointing downwards which means that adjacent reversed shelves form a continuous flat surface rather than being interrupted by shelf ends.

Secondly, a reversed shelf above a regular shelf forms a ‘box’ which can be excellent for preventing books / files / records from falling over.

How difficult is it for a ‘competent’ person to install it?

We include instructions – ‘Installation and Beyond’ – with your delivery.

Knowledge of walls is much more important than any experience installing our system. Hence, competent DIYers / builders / carpenters can put the system up.

If you tell us accurately the type of wall (ie brick, concrete, block, plasterboard, gypsum board, lath-and-plaster etc) we will supply you with the most suitable wall fixings.

We supply our ‘spacer levels’ for wall-mounted systems which allow you to space and level adjacent E-Tracks to perfection.

We often hear comments from our customers, such as: “It was great! I was expecting it to be far more difficult than it turned out to be.”

You can read similar feedback on our customer comments page.

Can I use fewer screws to fix the E-tracks?

No. All fixing points are required to ensure the system is securely attached to your wall.

Can you recommend installers in my area?

In many locations, we can offer either our own installation service or can recommend local installers. Alternatively, any competent DIYers / builders / carpenters / tradespeople can install the 606 system using the acclaimed instructions – ‘Installation and Beyond’ – which are provided with your order. Knowledge of wall types is much more important than any previous experience installing the 606 system.

Now that I’ve installed my shelves, what can I do with my packaging?

If practical, you can return it to us for reuse (we reuse virtually all of our packaging).

If not, please try to reuse it yourself, and lastly, you can locate your nearest recycling facility. We have seen many examples of children building magnificent dens and vehicles with our packaging.

I’m moving home / office and I am taking the 606 system with me, will you help me?

Yes. We regard it as a major defeat if you leave your system behind you when you move. We’d actually prefer you to rearrange your existing parts rather than buy new (although we hear lovely stories of customers selling their shelves with their homes – at full price – and starting again).

We retain records of what you already own; if you let us know the shape and size of your new space we can help you rearrange your parts. Contact us to ask for advice, instructions and any tools, templates, fixings or packaging that you might need.

Should I clean my shelves / cabinets when dismantling and / or reinstalling?

Yes, we recommend that you clean the system once you – or your movers – have emptied it and before it is dismantled.

Will my 620 fit through my door upon delivery?

Yes. Unlike conventional armchairs and sofas, the 620 Chair Programme is a modular kit of parts, making it easier to deliver. The different components of your 620 will arrive in multiple easily manageable boxes, whatever the size of chair or sofa you have ordered.

Can I assemble or dismantle 620 myself?

Yes. You can assemble and dismantle your chairs using a simple magnetic tool – and become aware how easily your chair can adapt over the years. Of course, tools and instructions are provided with your delivery.

See our demonstration video.

Can I renew the upholstery, replace the shell (arms / back)?

Yes. 620 is designed and made to last, but you can always order new parts from us. Contact one of our planners to arrange this for you.

Prices for these components are in our price list.

You can replace the upholstery in the comfort of your own home without the need to return it to us or a professional upholsterer.

I bought a second-hand 620 chair, will the replacements fit?

Most current components are generally compatible with chairs produced from 1974 onwards.

We cannot guarantee that all components are compatible with every generation of the 620 Chair Programme, but our expert planners will be able to advise whether the required replacements will be compatible with your chair.

We can provide current linen or leather samples to you for approval in order to ensure it will match your existing material (although we cannot compensate for their natural ageing).