TPosts on social media about the state of the nation’s pantries, utility rooms and chests of drawers this week have been more stormy than in previous years. Continuing the swaying winds of our collective drive to reorganize, whispers of chic spice racks or label-makers, self-deprecation bragged about using pre-pandemic dates and screeching delight in rediscovering long-lost napkin rings.
This week I spoke to designers and makers about their organizing tips around the home, from the kitchen pantry to stairs and nooks, in an effort to get to the real essence of what makes us define when it comes to a well-organized home. It turns out that the best organizing techniques prioritize functionality and aesthetics, provide access to the essentials and showcase your most valuable items.
Peter Erlandson, co-owner of String
www.stringfurniture.com
“It is important to celebrate individual journeys, and I believe we should all be proud of the things we have collected throughout our lives. Whether it is a collection of specific things like crockery or crystal vessels, or just sentimental bits and pieces, give your clutter a new lease on life. Each ornament, A coincidence, a refrigerator magnet and a book with ears can form a mosaic of colorful references to your life.Organization, in the traditional sense, should not detract from this.
“Designing these on a simple shelf can be both beautiful and decorative. Treat your shelf like canvas, and create artwork on top of it with our ingeniously designed ‘mess’. Not only is it fun to create your own, organic, and transformative artwork out of your own cages, but it’s a great way to To save space When you lift things off the floor and use shelves as a storage solution, you create the illusion of more space. A general rule of thumb when choosing furniture for the room you want to extend is to use slim-design silhouettes that provide an overall lighter aesthetic. String shelves do just that – no It distracts from the flow of the room, but makes a subtle design statement at the same time.”
Opening a double pantry gives cooking and entertaining a real sense of occasion
(Tom Hawley)
Tom Hawley, Design Director of Tom Hawley
www.tomhowley.co.uk
“Efficient storage is, of course, the primary function of the always popular kitchen pantry. This is not only due to the inner workings of the cabinet, but also to where it is integrated into the design of the kitchen. Where possible, it is always useful to keep the pantry next to the refrigerator, which means that storing Your food is customized in one area and also looks elegant.With a bespoke kitchen designer, you’ll be able to design floor-to-ceiling units that provide maximum storage space as well as the ability to adapt interior components to your storage needs.To me, the most memorable parts of The most exquisite kitchens are the double pantries, loaded with exciting bottles of infused oils, packets of the finest truffles, handcrafted vegetables and specialty spices.The act of opening a double pantry is truly a moment of awe and gives the cooking and entertaining process a real sense of occasion.From a decorative perspective, choose the finishes For exterior and interior cabinets that work together to create contrast, whether subtle or striking.”
Incorporating units into recesses in your living space makes the most of unused areas of the room
(Christopher Peters)
Will Lane, lead designer and co-owner of Christopher Peters Kitchens and Interiors
www.christopherpeters.com
“Most people are guilty of designing a home’s main living space based solely on function or form, not both. But there is a trick to harmoniously combining the two: beautiful, compact storage. By incorporating units into the alcoves in your living space, whether it be on either side Chest up the chimney or down the stairs, and paint them in complementary shades to connect with the rest of your color scheme, you can make the most of unused areas of the room, banish ugly remote controls and board games for good.In the same way, wooden shelves can provide a focal point for trinkets, family heirlooms, and books Favorites, so get creative when decorating the space.”
An entryway can set the mood for the rest of your home
(Kling Designs)
Emma Deterding, Founder and Creative Director, Kelling Designs
www.kellingdesigns.com
‘When it comes to storage, it’s important to think about your entryway design. As the main entrance and exit into a home, it’s a highly sought-after area and somewhere you’ll want to be able to store coats, bags, shoes, and boots – especially if you don’t have facilities or a room For shoes.If built-in joinery can be incorporated into the design, consider using the space under the stairs or creating a group of cabinets along one wall.Not only will this provide full storage for things like coats, shoes, and bags, but it will keep everything organized and out of sight. .
‘Freestanding pieces like a console table will not only allow you to display personal touches and precious possessions, but will also be practical to drop small items like keys and mail as you get in and out of the house. It will also give you a surface to add some décor so people who come into your home can feel your personal style and what can Expect it.Decorate the console with vases and decorative items, display your best family photos and bring a touch of nature with plants.A pair of matching table lamps will help create harmony and balance Choosing lampshades and furnishings in bright colors and bold patterns will allow you to personalize the space, setting the mood moods for the rest of your house.”
With an alternative approach to stocking, cereal products celebrate the elements, rather than conceal them
(wheat)
Jamie Prow, Head of Design at Grain
www.grain.co.uk
Moving away from traditional storage solutions that encourage consumers to hide clutter, Grain’s range of products focuses on celebrating the items rather than hiding them away, while challenging the conscious customer to think about their possessions and how they reflect them as an individual. Through our intelligent and adaptable design technology, each product is produced Made from only the best materials that are sustainably sourced and manufactured in the most ethical ways possible.Each piece can grow and change along with the user, which means every piece of grain furniture can be changed, updated in size, temporarily removed and easily disassembled, ultimately preventing waste Products when they are not needed and therefore end up in landfill.Responsible design should not only challenge the mistreatment of the natural world, but also the human behaviors that fuel rapid consumerism.Avon’s storage scale is not only circular in its lifecycle. But also in using it, it encourages you to ask questions like, Do I need these shoes?”