While some people may feel that dumping documents, books, and clothing into bankers boxes, or heaven forbid, Rubbermaid containers is an effective “organizational” strategy as witnessed above, I’m afraid they’re doing it wrong. In most cases, there is an objective and measurable “right” way of de-cluttering and storing. Once again, it’s time for Scandinavians to show us how with a few examples below.
Decades (2007) by the immensely talented Wis Design is a side table made out of discarded drawers found and rescued from flea markets. Think of all the trees you’ll be saving as you drive across town to collect this stunning future heirloom in your Volvo!
Yellow as an accent colour gets me every single time, and the Hillside (2009) furniture range is the perfect item for this colour. Created by the architectural and design firm Claesson Koivisto Rune, their stated goal was to go beyond the “box” by combining different storage formats, and hence, resulting in new and unexpected sculptural furniture expressions.
Designed by JDS Architects for Muuto, Stacked (2008) is an innovative shelving system. Why produce a fixed shelving unit when customers can create their own freestyle system by combining and recombining three differently sized rectangular units? Each cube is supplied with attachment clips and wall mounting.
They might have one of the highest smoking rates in the world, but the Danes know how to rethink “boxy” storage. The Hotel Box (2006) is neither a box, nor a piece of furniture, but all in between, and is designed by Pure Nomade.
The story behind this particular item is that designer Jonas Lindvall had recently moved from his parents and wanted to create a piece of furniture that could conceal secrets quickly. The Speyside (1998) is a storage table with an outer section that can be opened and closed as needed. So dear boomerang kids living it up in your parents basements, now you have more time to save for this luscious unit. Win-Win for everyone, exceptions being your family members.
The Imeüble (2009) by Bjørn Jørund Blikstad is the most creative and stunningly modern wall cubed shelving unit not to come out of North America. To the highly talented man responsible for this beautifully hypnotic item, I’d like to marry you and I’m willing to offer no-strings-attached Canadian citizenship. Now Bjørn, you might be thinking why would I move to a country that recently elected a right-wing Prime Minister with a penchant for prisons? Wow, Bjørn, you’re already so comfortable expressing your feelings to me telepathically. And like they say, a healthy and lasting marriage is all about maintaining communication. So, call me.
The Oto 100 (2007) is designed by Pil Bredahl for Muuto. The storage system is made up of a series of fibre glass rings which can be assembled into any formation that you desire.
Lastly, if you must go with the “bankers box” look, please consider upgrading to Tunto’s M3. The M3 (2006) is both a storage box and a seat, which allows you to “store away your precious items and sit on top of them.” That will certainly keep the burglars away.
