Above, clockwise from top left: Desk with hidden storage, Hallway with shadows, Vaulted Bedroom, Floating Staircase
Above, clockwise from top left: Chair with hidden storage drawer, Empty white rooms, White streamlined storage, White day bed
Above, clockwise from top left: Floor to ceiling storage in kitchen, Fireplace with storage and hidden spaces, Under-staircase storage – photo by Trevor Tondro for the New York Times, Hidden bookcase
Above, clockwise from top left: Empty and white industrial loft, Streamlined kitchen, Kitchen with smart storage, Sideboard with reindeer pelt
What is it about wide open, empty and uncluttered interior spaces that is so irresistible to most of us, yet often so unattainable in real life?
Just like the fresh pages of a brand new sketch book, or the bright beginnings of a new year, spacious and open interior spaces hold the promise of unspoiled opportunity. They provide a sense of clarity and peace of mind.
If you have ever tried to enjoy a quiet meditation or a relaxing cup of tea in the middle of a cluttered and messy space, you probably know what I’m talking about. In contrast, a sense of deep relaxation and focus can be found in spaces that are also visually calm.
But just like the new sketch book, your clean and uncluttered space quickly fills up, making you long for those fresh, empty pages. Why are these pristine spaces so hard to attain and maintain?
For those of us who do not inhabit a giant, white loft space, that looks like the pages of an interior magazine, which I can say with some confidence is most of us, the pure and open look is a challenge. The vast majority of us, no matter how minimalist we aspire to be, own certain things to help promote comfortable living, such as vacuum cleaners, ironing boards, and other unsightly necessities.
But there is hope. The secret to success is called storage. This mood celebrates something as seemingly mundane as smart storage solutions that help us achieve the breathing space we are all looking for. By creating storage space that can be as beautiful as it is practical — or even invisible — you allow your carefully selected and cherished belongings to stand out and shine. Because more than the objects themselves, it is the spaces in between them — the surrounding space — that really hold and give strength to the objects.