Clever Furniture
I always have my eye out for products that serve some function in the home but are also lovely to look at. I am calling it clever furniture - furniture that is both stylish and functional. One caveat before I dive in is that I am not affiliated with any store or product. Truly, I just enjoy looking at pretty things that can also be useful in your home so I hope to showcase some pieces I have found in my travels and in my work with clients.
The first furniture round up comes from Blu Dot. I used their Modulicious storage unit in an old home where I wanted to create an office area in a long family room. The unit meant I could keep things looking sleek but have easy access to lots of office gear. The doors are powder-coated steel so I loved that I could use magnets to post notes on the back of the doors. It was great for reminders and schedules but kept the fronts looking clutter free. With the doors, you can mix colours for some extra fun. The Splash Coat rack looks fantastic even without coats but can handle whatever you want to throw at it in the entryway. It’s made from powder-coated steel and a choice of solid walnut or white oak. Another hard-working piece for an entryway is Blu Dot’s Go Forth storage bench. It looks elegant and is a handy spot to sit but also holds shoes, umbrellas, hats, you name it.
Umbra is a Canadian furniture and accessories company that screams clever design. I used their Oh Chairs outdoors and they could stack nicely for storage during the winter. The Oh Chair was created by designer Karim Rashid and is comfortable and stylish with clever holes for stacking. Umbra’s Woodrow series is super sleek and comes in different colour options. The Woodrow storage stool has a multifunctional lid that can serve as both a tabletop and a seat, while the built-in handles ensure portability. Bellwood is another Umbra series and the Over the Toilet Shelf offers three tiers of storage, each equipped with a dowel bar perfect for hanging towels or other essentials. It's an ideal solution for maximizing storage space in a small bathroom.
IKEA always has good multi-functional furniture that works well for small spaces. The VALTORP bench is a versatile addition, fitting seamlessly in various spaces such as the hallway, next to your bed, or by the kitchen table. Its length accommodates two people, and it features a spacious storage compartment beneath its cushioned seat. The KVISTBRO or ÄNGESBYN storage tables allow you to store items such as throws or toys inside while being lightweight and easy to move.
Offi & Co. motto is “creating simple, beautiful and practical furnishings” and these pieces hit the mark. I have several Offi Tote tables - in fun colours - that we use both indoors and outdoors. They can be stools or side tables and are easy to move and easy to clean. The Offi bench box offers comfortable seating with its cushioned top, while also providing ample storage for books or toys. With optional casters, it becomes easy to move even when filled. The Offi mag table may look like a simple end table with magazine storage but it can also be turned vertically and used as a laptop table. Talk about clever furniture!
I applaud the creative designers behind these furniture pieces who merge function with beauty. That is my goal with all home organizing projects and clever furniture makes it much easier.
