If you're a fan of furniture that's as smart as it is stylish, then you're probably well-acquainted with USM. Their iconic modular systems are legendary for blending sleek, industrial-inspired design with incredible adaptability, letting you build the perfect piece for your exact space.
USM's blend of high-end craftsmanship, minimalist aesthetics, and timeless versatility has made it a favorite in modern offices and homes alike. For those who appreciate that intelligent, buildable approach to furniture, here are 19 similar brands that deliver on modern, modular design.
1. String Furniture
A true icon of Scandinavian design, String offers a lightweight and highly versatile modular shelving system. Featuring its signature powder-coated steel side panels and easy-to-adjust shelves in wood or metal, it's a go-to for creating customized storage walls for everything from books to kitchenware. It captures USM's modular spirit but with a distinctly airy and more accessible feel.
Prices typically run from $200 to $1,200, making String a significantly more affordable and DIY-friendly alternative. While USM is grounded and industrial, String feels lighter and more graphic, perfect for urban living spaces where flexibility is key.
Shop now at stringfurniture.com
2. Muuto
Representing "new Nordic" design, Danish brand Muuto brings a fresh, artistic perspective to modular furniture. Systems like their "Stacked" and "Layer" series combine minimalist forms with innovative details and high-quality, sustainable materials. Their prices range from around $300 to $2,500, positioning them as a strong mid-range contemporary choice.
Muuto shares USM's commitment to form and function but leans into softer shapes and a more diverse color palette inspired by nature. They often collaborate with young, emerging designers, giving their collections a dynamic and modern edge that feels both timeless and of the moment.
Shop now at muuto.com
3. VITEO
VITEO creates modular storage systems with a pronounced industrial-chic vibe, perfect for contemporary homes and minimalist offices. Offering customizable setups using metal, wood, and composite materials, their pieces are built for durability and high adaptability. You can expect their units to be priced between $500 and $3,000.
Think of VITEO as a slightly more utilitarian take on the modular concept. Compared to USM's polished chrome aesthetic, VITEO often presents a more robust, slightly edgier look while providing greater flexibility in material combinations for a truly bespoke system.
Shop now at viteo.com
4. Blå Station
Swedish brand Blå Station is all about unexpected solutions for modern spaces, offering modular furniture for both seating and storage. Their systems are characterized by simple forms, innovative function, and eco-conscious production, with pieces generally ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.
Blå Station shares USM's focus on functional, reconfigurable systems but injects a dose of character and often more playful colorways. They are a great choice if you appreciate Scandinavian simplicity but want something with a bit more personality and a strong commitment to sustainability.
Shop now at blastation.com
5. HAY
HAY makes contemporary design accessible and fun. The Danish brand offers a variety of shelving and storage systems, like their minimal 'Woody' and flexible 'New Order' series, that blend function with a cool, vibrant aesthetic. With prices typically spanning $150 to $2,000, HAY makes a compelling and approachable choice.
Where USM is classic and precise, HAY is more expressive and trend-forward. They are known for their lively color palettes and collaborations that keep their collections fresh. If you love USM's modularity but wish it came in mustard yellow or mint green, HAY is your destination.
Shop now at hay.dk
6. Ligne Roset
For those looking at the higher end of the spectrum, French luxury brand Ligne Roset is a master of elegant, contemporary furniture. Their modular storage is a seamless blend of art and function, created with high-end craftsmanship and luxurious materials. Expect investment-level pricing from $2,000 to over $10,000.
Compared to USM's industrial precision, Ligne Roset offers a softer, more avant-garde sophistication. Their modular systems feel more like statement pieces of interior architecture, designed for those who want a bespoke, fashion-forward home environment.
Shop now at ligne-roset.com
7. Bolia
Bolia creates modular furniture defined by Scandinavian simplicity and quality craftsmanship, with a strong focus on sustainability. Their customizable designs in shelving and storage often feature clean lines combined with materials like solid wood and tactile fabrics, with prices ranging from $500 to $4,000.
While sharing USM’s modular ethos, Bolia brings a warmer, more natural touch to the table. Their pieces often incorporate beautiful wood grains and soft curves, making them a fantastic choice for creating a cozy yet modern and adaptable home.
Shop now at bolia.com
8. Nolte
Known for its German precision engineering, Nolte specializes in modular cabinetry and storage primarily for kitchens and living spaces. Their systems are all about maximizing efficiency with sleek finishes and smart features. This is a mid-to-high-end brand with customizable setups ranging from $1,000 to over $6,000.
Nolte's modular approach mirrors USM's philosophy of scalable, tailored storage. While they are more focused on built-in furniture and cabinetry than freestanding units, they deliver the same level of quality and customization for a cohesive, seamlessly integrated look.
Shop now at nolte.com
9. Hülsta
Hülsta is a high-end German brand offering premium modular furniture. Known for exceptional craftsmanship, minimalist elegance, and a huge degree of personalization, their systems are built to last a lifetime. Prices are in the luxury tier, generally from $2,000 to $8,000 for modular pieces.
Think of Hülsta as USM's impeccably tailored sibling, focused more on luxury residential interiors. Both brands promise customizable, investment-quality furniture, but Hülsta leans into sophisticated wood finishes and refined lacquers for a more 'dressed up' feel.
Shop now at hulsta.com
10. Müller Möbelwerkstätten
Another German powerhouse, Müller Möbelwerkstätten is celebrated for its sleek, high-quality furniture crafted from sustainable materials. Their visually understated and highly adaptable modular systems showcase an impressive commitment to minimalism and eco-conscious production, priced roughly from $2,000 to $7,000.
The brand shares USM's DNA of timeless, functional design and precision engineering. However, Müller places a greater emphasis on refined craftsmanship and sustainable practices, making it a natural choice for ethically-minded design lovers.
Shop now at mueller-moebel.com
11. Normann Copenhagen
Normann Copenhagen designs modern furniture with a mix of functionality and playful character. Their storage systems blend unique geometric forms, innovative materials, and bold color choices, creating an eclectic yet sophisticated look. Prices are accessible, from around $150 to $1,500.
While sharing a modern sensibility with USM, Normann Copenhagen dares to be different. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a modular system that breaks from convention and serves as a conversation-starter in your home.
Shop now at normann-copenhagen.com
12. Kinnarps
A leader in office and workspace design, Kinnarps offers highly functional, sustainable, and ergonomic modular solutions. Their systems are designed to create efficient and adaptable work environments, with prices starting around $1,000 for basic configurations.
Kinnarps can be seen as the ultimate workplace-focused counterpart to USM. Both deliver scalable, long-lasting storage for commercial settings, but Kinnarps places a stronger emphasis on overall office well-being and integrated ergonomic design.
Shop now at kinnarps.com
13. E15
German brand E15 is known for its bold, minimalist furniture that makes heavy use of materials like solid wood, concrete, and steel. Their modern storage systems are sculptural and substantial, crafted with a fine eye for material and form. Pricing falls into a premium category, from $2,000 to $8,000.
Where USM's aesthetic is rooted in industrial polish, E15 is grounded in a more raw, industrial form. Both are architectural in presence, but E15 pieces feel more monumental and textural, offering a potent brand of modernist chic for discerning collectors.
Shop now at e15.de
14. Clei
Italian brand Clei is the master of transformation. They specialize in multi-functional, space-saving modular furniture that is perfect for small-space living. Think wall beds that fold away to reveal a desk or storage. This innovation comes at a price, typically ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.
While USM offers modular adaptability, Clei provides modular transformation. Their focus is less on static shelving and more on dynamic systems that change function throughout the day. It's an ideal solution for studios and compact apartments where every square inch matters.
Shop now at clei.it
15. Bensen
Based in Vancouver and rooted in Italian design sensibilities, Bensen produces refined, minimalist furniture. Their modular storage and shelving options are elegantly understated, often combining wood, metal, and lacquer for a timeless aesthetic. Prices generally start from around $1,500.
Bensen aligns with USM in its commitment to quality materials and uncluttered design. The key difference is a softer edge and a feeling of quiet, residential warmth compared to USM's functionalist roots. Bensen's pieces are thoughtfully designed for living, blending seamlessly into sophisticated, calm interiors.
Shop now at bensendesign.com
16. Tylko
Tylko brings modular furniture into the digital age with a powerful online customization tool that lets you design your perfect piece down to the millimeter. Focused on user-friendly design and easy assembly, they offer high-quality plywood shelving systems in a range of colors and finishes, priced from $600 to $3,000.
Tylko democratizes the customization process that brands like USM offer through consultants. If you want the power to design a perfectly fitting wall unit from the comfort of your own home, Tylko offers a similar sleek, scalable aesthetic but with an approachable, tech-driven process.
Shop now at tylko.com
17. Vitsœ
Home of the legendary 606 Universal Shelving System designed by Dieter Rams, Vitsœ is arguably the other titan of modular furniture. Built on Rams' "less, but better" philosophy, the wall-mounted system is designed to be a companion for life, made from high-quality aluminum and steel that's endlessly reconfigurable.
Vitsœ is the ultimate purist's alternative to USM. While both offer investment-level quality and timeless modernism, Vitsœ’s system feels visually lighter and is entirely wall-mounted, freeing up floor space. It's form and function reduced to its most beautiful and efficient essence.
Shop now at vitsoe.com
18. Reform
Copenhagen-based Reform collaborates with world-renowned architects and designers to create extraordinary kitchens and storage solutions. While famous for elevating IKEA cabinet frames, they also produce their own complete systems rooted in exceptional design and material choices like natural oak, linoleum, and custom lacquers.
If you've dreamed of applying USM's systemic thinking to your entire home, Reform is your answer. They trade the cool chrome for a warmer, more textural palette, allowing you to build cohesive, high-design wardrobes, entryways, and kitchens with a minimalist Scandinavian touch.
Shop now at reformcph.com
19. Tacchini
This high-end Italian brand masterfully combines contemporary design with classic style, reissuing iconic pieces alongside new creations. Their focus extends to elegant modular sofas and credenzas that are both sculptural and functional, crafted from luxe materials like rich woods, marble, and beautiful textiles.
Tacchini represents a softer, more comfort-focused expression of modularity. While sharing a premium price point with USM, its pieces feel more suited to a glamorous living space than a sleek office, bringing sophisticated Italian modernism and sculptural form to the forefront.
Shop now at tacchini.it
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