Living on the Ledge: Gejst’s Versatile Storage for Small Spaces

Who knew the humble picture rail could be so customizable? Danish workshop Gejst’s Flex system—shallow wooden shelves accessorized with hooks and other add-ons—is the brainchild of industrial designer Sabine Appel, who at the time was a student writing her thesis on the company. The Gejst team embraced the idea and continues to tweak it: The first iteration debuted in 2016, and new à la carte offerings, including a pocket for coffee filters and a side table attachment, have since been introduced.

The ledge itself is magnetic, allowing it to double as a knife rack, scissors holder, and keys keeper—and lending the design top ranking in the small-space solutions for bits and pieces category. The rails come in two lengths (40 and 60 centimeters) and two stains (oiled oak and black-stained oak), with a white or black powder-coated steel mount that’s only visible in profile. The Flex Rail 40 is €70 and the Flex Rail 60 is €80.

Initially envisioned for the kitchen, Flex has made inroads all over the house. Here’s a look at its many applications.

In the Entryway

In the Kitchen

In the Home Office

In the Bathroom

In the Bedroom

In the Kid’s Room

For more notable storage rails, take a look at Muuto’s metal Folded Shelves with hooks, the Rail System from Very Good & Proper, and Room & Board’s steel Trace Picture Ledges, which come in 14 colors.

Browse our Shelving archives for many more solutions, including:

• High/Low: Wall-Mounted Midcentury Modular Shelving
• Design Sleuth: The Miracle Grid with Wooden Shelves
• Look-Alike Iittala Aitio Wall Shelves