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How life is reshaping what storage can do

Stories

All eyes are on changing global interiors from Milan to Tokyo and Singapore to Sydney, as furniture brands work with designers to create innovative storage systems nuanced in both function and material finish in response to the shifting needs of contemporary life. Here, the Design Daily's David Harrison looks at key changes to the storage architype and highlights five of the best for flexibility, finish and form.

In the past storage has been a bulky and inflexible affair based on very old architypes – the wardrobe, bookshelf and credenza. These furniture pieces generally dictated how you could use them rather than the other way round and once purchased the possibility for change was extremely limited.

Thankfully that is changing. Designers are much more aware of the need for flexibility and are creating storage solutions that can be configured (and reconfigured) to suit specific needs, available space and aesthetics.

Storage, whether for dining, living, bedroom or home office areas, is being treated more like a modular kitchen with a kit bag of components that can be implemented in a variety of ways, delivering space-saving options when required with a high level of functionality and adjustability. 
The Jack wall system designed by Michael Anastassiades for B&B Italia. Photo c/o B&B Italia.

The Jack wall system designed by Michael Anastassiades for B&B Italia. Photo c/o B&B Italia.

This flexible approach to storage design requires a complete understanding of the systems and that’s where experience and know-how comes in. Discussing your needs with an expert allows you to build a storage solution that is tailored to suit the way you live – both now and into the future. 

Here are six clever storage systems by B&B Italia, Arflex, Porro and SP01 offering endless configurations and material finishes and defining the direction of contemporary interiors.

Jack wall system by B&B Italia 

Designed by the Cypriot-born, London-based Michael Anastassiades, Jack exemplifies his stripped back approach to product design. Inspired by the humble car jack, the system using floor-to-ceiling tubular uprights is not only a refined bookshelf but a highly sculptural structure that works well to divide large spaces into more intimate zones. The flexibility of the system underpins the beauty of its design. When used in free space the system can be as open or closed as the user desires, creating a permeable division or a more solid and private one. The option of floor and wall-mounted supports allows the system to be installed across glass walls and windows.

Flat C wall system by B&B Italia 

As the name suggests, the key concept of the Flat C by Italian design legend Antonio Citterio was to create a space-saving storage system that could be reconfigured if needs change. With a starting depth of just 250mm, the design in its most basic form delivers a highly flexible bookshelf in lots of material finishes and colours, that lends itself perfectly to the incorporation of electronics such as large screen televisions with highly resolved cable management and sliding doors. The invisible joining between modules provides a totally seamless look.
The Flat C storage system designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

The Flat C storage system designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

"Jack is a modular shelving system that allows you to create a storage facility that is adaptable in every interior... it is quite versatile in terms of location, it can exist as a room divider in the middle of a space, as well as against a wall."

Michael Anastassiades

The multiple personalities of the Flat C storage system designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. and following. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

The multiple personalities of the Flat C storage system designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. and following. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

The Jack wall system designed by Michael Anastassiades for B&B Italia can be installed against the wall of an interior, or used to divide the space. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

The Jack wall system designed by Michael Anastassiades for B&B Italia can be installed against the wall of an interior, or used to divide the space. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

Details of the Jack system by Michael Anastassiades for B&B Italia. Photo c/o B&B Italia.

Details of the Jack system by Michael Anastassiades for B&B Italia. Photo c/o B&B Italia.

The Eucalipto storage unit designed by Antonio Citterio can be specified in various configurations to suit storage and interior requirments. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

The Eucalipto storage unit designed by Antonio Citterio can be specified in various configurations to suit storage and interior requirments. Photos c/o B&B Italia.

Alba designed by Bernhardt & Vella is a storage system with a focus on system, with elements interchangeable and flexible. Photos c/o Arflex.

Alba designed by Bernhardt & Vella is a storage system with a focus on system, with elements interchangeable and flexible. Photos c/o Arflex.

"My approach to material and design is very honest: I always try to apply the 'as little design as possible' rule by Dieter Rams. Take away, rather than add."

Robin Rizzini, Metrica

The many faces of Australian brand SP01's Yee storage collection by Milan-based designer Robin Rizzini at Metrica. Photo c/o SP01 Design.

The many faces of Australian brand SP01's Yee storage collection by Milan-based designer Robin Rizzini at Metrica. Photo c/o SP01 Design.

Yee storage units by SP01

Yee, designed by Italian studio Metrica for Australian brand SP01, takes a fine H-shaped metal base as its ‘chassis’ upon which individual modules can be added to build a longer or taller storage system. Each module can be realised in a different shape, colour or timber finish. This ability to freely combine elements opens the design up to a variety of aesthetic interpretations. Gently oval door fronts move the design away from the rigid geometry commonly found in storage design, to a softer, more overtly domestic aesthetic.

Alba bookcase by Arflex 

With Alba the designers Bernhardt & Vella have created a unique storage solution with versatility in size and composition but also in shape. Traditionally floor-to-ceiling shelving solutions are linear in nature. Alba, by contrast, pivots on a special hinge making curved, s-shaped or even circular compositions easy to achieve. In combination with the use of green, bronze or smoked glass shelves with curved corners and brass details, the appearance of Alba is delicate, translucent and in-tune with contemporary design trends. Available in two, three and four unit modules, the length and shape of Alba is only limited by the space available. 

Eucalipto entertainment units by B&B Italia 

 
Taking the sideboard, tallboy and console table as its three key forms, the Eucalipto collection by Antonio Citterio reimagines these architypes in luxurious reflective finishes of mirror, gloss lacquered veneers, painted finishes and glass. From a drinks cabinet to home entertainment hub, the Eucalipto collection covers a range of storage categories and adds clever internal functionality including LED lighting and retractable shelves. Externally simple and elegant, the design incorporates fold-down drawer fronts for increased functionality either as an additional writing or laptop surface, or as a place to mix drinks.


David Harrison is the editor of the design blog Design Daily and recently released 'A Century of Colour in Design, 250 innovative objects and the stories behind them'.

B&B Italia, SP01 and Arflex are available exclusively from Space – Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and B&B Italia, Porro, SP01 and Arflex from Space – Australia.

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