This amazing wall of books is part of the apartment in Brazil, designed by architect Consuelo Jorge. And even though this particular space is not small, this element can work very well in a studio or other open-plan apartment. It creates privacy and a heck of a visual impact. You can see the rest of the apartment here.
This amazing staircase is part of an apartment in Bordeaux, France, designed by Mickaël Martins Afonso and L’atelier miel. To maximize space, designers built shelves that provide a storage and display room for small objects. They also included hidden shoe storage that pulls our when needed. How clever!
Bottleship Mark 2 is a midcentury classic by renown Ernest Race and a reminder that well-designed things don’t age. A witty little hybrid between a mini-bar and a magazine rack has all the potential to be a shoebox hit. It is compact, multifunctional, and packs lots of character. Available for purchase here.
HT Bookshelf
L Shelf is a clever modular storage component, created by designer Aurélien Veyrat of Objet Optimisé. These L-shaped units (hence the name) can be easily connected together to form shelving systems of various size. Here is how designer describes this product: “L is to storage what stone is to building: the original element, the basis of creation and the expression of modularity. Whatever your needs, L is the comma that punctuates space without limitation.” Lovely. See more photos after the break.
Berlin based studio Ambivalenz created Fläpps leaning shelf, which to me is an example of simplicity and function combined. The shelf is easy to put together, it folds flat against the wall when not in use, and it can withstand quite a lot of things in its business mode. A design any shoebox dweller can definitely appreciate! Thanks to its clean lines, Fläpps can blend with any interior and benefit any room that need extra storage. The piece is made from birch plywood with metal hardware.
Dynks is a modular shelving system by Polish brand Tabanda. The beauty of this product is in its multifunctionality and ease of assembly. You can build an attractive bookcase, no matter how big or small, in minutes with these blocks. I also love that you can vary the shelf width, which is great for a large variety of books and media. Available for purchase here.
The Nesting Shelf by Nendo is one of those “why haven’t I thought of it” objects. Simple and adaptable, it can benefit any small space. The construction of the piece is based on an ultra-thin horizontal section (just 4.8 mm) that slides inside the outer shelving. When expanded to its fullest the shelf doubles in size. Neat.
Simply called Library, this happy modular shelving system by Penghao Shan has a lot to offer to a limited space. The design is based on a simple principle: a leaning construction gets more stable as you put more wight on it. A wooden frame is the base of the shelving unit. You can use your freedom of expression to attach containers, a desk component, or shelves. Infinitely adjustable, Library can also be quickly disassembled and stored flat.
I am not the sort of person who can pass by versatile storage design. Aitio storage boxes, by Finnish brand iittala, definitely caught my attention. Sturdy and beautiful, the pieces are made from powder coated steel and work equally well in any room. Aitio boxes come in a variety or shapes and colors. Available for purchase here.
This sculptural and visually appealing shelf, called Små Ting, was designed specifically for the little items that seem to always clutter our spaces, especially in tiny dwellings. Designer Johanna Paulsson describes her idea this way: “Our need for storage is personal and constantly changing. Today we often live in small spaces, have many things AND live a hectic life. My desire is to ease the temporary storage of small things that occurs in everyday life.” I love the versatility of the shelf, it can find its place in any area of your apartment. It can also be fitted with a mirror or hooks, but I quite like the look of it without any additions. Just a piece of wood, rolled to hold things. Simple, functional, and aesthetically beautiful.
