At 5 Studio UK, we believe modular shouldn’t mean minimal. Our approach to modular exhibition stand design is all about integration — finding creative ways to blend custom shelving, lighting, and display features seamlessly within the T3 framework.
Every exhibitor’s products and objectives are different, which is why we engineer bespoke shelving solutions that serve both form and function. Whether it’s recessed shelving for premium displays, floating shelves that sit flush with printed graphics, or illuminated product bays that draw attention from across the hall — each design is tailored to your layout, workflow, and brand presentation.
In this series, we’ll explore how bespoke integrations within modular systems elevate the exhibiting experience — combining reusability, creativity, and precision engineering to create stands that perform beautifully show after show.
Floating shelving is one of the most versatile forms of Modular Exhibition Stand Shelving, offering a refined, minimal way to showcase products without overpowering the overall design. The result is a sleek, contemporary finish that keeps the focus on your products while maintaining the stand’s modular integrity.
Ideal for brands with varied product ranges or segmented collections, floating shelving provides a flexible way to organise displays clearly and consistently. Within the T3 Modular Exhibition Stand system, shelves can be positioned in vertical or grid layouts — grouping products by category, colour, or size while keeping the overall presentation cohesive and visually balanced.
Our floating shelving systems are engineered to integrate seamlessly within the T3 Modular Exhibition Stand framework — providing the appearance of freestanding shelves without visible fixings or structural bulk. Each configuration begins with a rigid back panel secured within the framework, creating a stable base for precision-aligned shelving that appears completely weightless.
This integration within a modular structure allows layouts to be reconfigured or expanded between events without the constraints of traditional built-ins. Whether you’re updating product ranges, adjusting stand sizes, or refreshing your design theme, the same system adapts effortlessly to new layouts — offering the flexibility of modular design with the refinement of a custom installation.
By blending visual simplicity with engineering precision, floating shelving achieves the perfect balance of form, function, and reusability — a hallmark of 5 Studio UK’s modular design ethos.
Floating shelving is particularly effective for exhibitors who:
Need to display multiple product lines or variations within a compact space
Want to refresh or re-theme between events without starting from scratch
Prefer a premium retail finish with clean lines and concealed structure
💡 Pro Tip: Combine floating shelving with subtle under-shelf LED lighting or edge trim detailing to create depth and elevate the display’s visual impact.
Recessed shelving offers a built-in, architectural aesthetic that feels permanent — yet is achieved entirely within a modular framework. By setting the shelves back into the wall line, displays appear seamless and purpose-built, creating a sense of depth and precision detailing often associated with bespoke joinery.
Within the context of Modular Exhibition Stand Shelving, recessed configurations are used to create more immersive, gallery-style displays — where lighting, materials, and clean lines work together to elevate product presentation. This approach is particularly effective for premium brands or exhibitors showcasing hero products, as it combines the visual integrity of a custom installation with the flexibility and reusability of a modular system.
Within the T3 system, recessed shelving can be designed as fully transportable units — incorporating a rigid subframe and seamless cladding to hide joins. This allows for illuminated or non-illuminated setups, depending on how much focus you want on the products themselves. The result is a permanent, built-in look that still benefits from modular reusability.
Recessed shelving offers a premium, built-in aesthetic that feels permanent — yet is achieved entirely within a modular exhibition stand system.
Each unit is precision-engineered within the T3 framework, combining a rigid subframe with seamless cladding to conceal joins and create a retail-quality finish.
For The Barking Bakery, we fabricated recessed shelving spray-finished to their exact RAL colour, delivering a vibrant, on-brand feature wall that balanced playful design with professional polish — and can be reused and reconfigured for future events.
🎨 Custom recessed shelving designed within a T3 Modular Exhibition Stand for The Barking Bakery — colour-matched to the brand’s vibrant pink palette
Within the T3 Modular Exhibition Stand framework, slatwalling can be integrated as either full-height back panels or partial display zones, providing strength without sacrificing reconfigurability. Panels are available in a wide range of finishes, colours, and insert options — allowing you to coordinate with brand tones or create contrast within the stand design. The result is a clean, retail-quality appearance that suits everything from minimalist setups to high-impact product showcases.
Slatwalling bridges modular flexibility with retail functionality. Within the T3 Modular Exhibition Stand system, it allows exhibitors to showcase products using interchangeable hooks, trays, and rails that can be repositioned in seconds.
Available in a wide range of colours, inserts, and finishes, slatwall panels adapt to any brand environment — from bold illuminated displays like Moon Creations to more minimalist setups. The result is a reusable system that lets you refresh layouts and product ranges without rebuilding.
Not all slatwalling is created equal — the choice of material defines both appearance and practicality. At 5 Studio UK, we work with multiple slatwall types to suit the design intent and reusability requirements of each project.
PVC interlocking slatwall panels provide a lightweight, fully modular option that slots directly into the T3 framework. Their interlocking design makes installation quick and repeatable, ideal for exhibitors who frequently update layouts or require easy transport between events. These panels are available in a variety of colours and finishes, maintaining a clean and consistent look without additional finishing.
For stands that demand a more premium, built-in appearance, MDF slatwall panels offer greater rigidity and a bespoke aesthetic. Although heavier and less flexible for reconfiguration, they deliver a refined, built-in aesthetic often suited to retail-style displays.
Available in both standard and custom sizes, MDF allows for spray-finishing, colour-matching, and precise detailing. This approach was showcased in our installation for Xplore Brands, where we integrated eight 8ft panels with LED backlighting — combining high visual impact with structured retail presentation.
Integrating slatwalling within a modular exhibition stand requires balancing design intent with practical realities such as handling, storage, and reusability.
PVC slatwall systems align neatly with the modular ethos. They’re lightweight, pre-finished, and designed for tool-free assembly — typically using interlocking sections that slot into the framework. Their compact form makes them easy to transport between events, and because they don’t require mechanical fixing, they can be reused multiple times without visible wear. One thing to note is they’re typically only available or supplied in white, and while it’s possible to spray them to brand colours, doing so can be costly and may reduce surface durability over time.
MDF slatwall, by contrast, offers a more bespoke aesthetic but demands greater consideration during production and transport. Panels are heavier, require mechanical fixing, and need protective packaging to avoid surface damage in transit. While they can absolutely be reused, their lifespan depends on careful handling and correct storage between events. For many clients, the decision often comes down to balancing visual impact with logistical efficiency.
Beyond materials, practical factors such as weight loading, fixing method, and panel protection have a direct impact on setup time and long-term usability. Understanding these early in the design process ensures that the slatwall system — whether PVC or MDF — integrates seamlessly into the modular framework while remaining easy to store, ship, and reconfigure event after event.
At 5 Studio UK, we believe modular exhibition stands should do more than assemble efficiently — they should elevate your brand through bespoke integrations that enhance both form and function. From precision-engineered shelving and lighting to digital display systems, every element can be tailored to deliver a high-impact, sustainable design that evolves with your exhibiting needs.
The true value of modular exhibition stand shelving goes beyond aesthetics — it lies in how each component can be reused, reconfigured, and reimagined across multiple events. Every framework, connector, and panel is designed to work together as part of a long-term exhibiting system.
As we’ve seen, modular exhibition stand shelving isn’t about limiting creativity — it’s about creating structure that supports it. The options are diverse: floating shelves for lightweight, flexible displays; recessed shelving for a built-in, architectural finish; and slatwalling for adaptable, retail-style product presentation. Each has its own strengths and considerations, but all share the same goal — to unite form and function within a reusable, reconfigurable framework that elevates both practicality and presentation.
Within the T3 framework, shelving structures can be scaled, repositioned, or replaced without rebuilding from scratch. This approach not only streamlines setup time but also reduces material waste and transportation costs — allowing exhibitors to maintain a high-end, custom look while working sustainably.
From a design perspective, the key is to plan integration and interchangeability early on. Shelving units, product bays, and subframes can be designed with modular connections that support future layouts — ensuring your stand evolves with the brand rather than being rebuilt for each event.
By prioritising reusability at the engineering stage, exhibitors gain more than flexibility — they gain control. A stand designed for modular reconfiguration can adapt effortlessly to new footprints, product launches, or brand campaigns, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and long-term value across every event programme.
In doing so, modular exhibition design demonstrates that sustainability and sophistication can coexist — offering a compelling alternative to traditional build-and-burn construction, and proving that the future of exhibition design lies in reusability, not replacement.
This article forms part of our ongoing Modular Exhibition Stands series, where we explore how bespoke integrations — from shelving and lighting to digital display technology — can elevate both form and function.
In the next instalment, we’ll look at how integrated lighting and display technology can transform modular frameworks into immersive brand environments, combining visual impact with the long-term sustainability that defines modern exhibiting.
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