Installing Stolmen IKEA fittings

[hafstad]

I am trying to find the right product to install a wall storage unit in the studio/basement of my house. I have a concrete floor in the basement but with concrete footings which jut out into the room so putting in a normal fitted wardrobe is not possible.

The Stolman system of IKEA seems to offer a solution. Two upright poles fixed to floor and ceiling between which various units can be attached. However the upright poles are 210cm minimum length. From the top of the footings to the ceiling is only 179cm. My question is can these upright poles be cut back further to fit? Will this destroy some design feature and make the units impossible to fit?