Design Depot: 30 Projects that Explore Diverse Storage Solutions - ArchDaily

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Design Depot: 30 Projects that Explore Diverse Storage Solutions

With the rise of small houses and dense cities, we were forced to sacrifice a good amount of storage space. Ironically, we did not compromise our purchasing habits, so with a few square meters to work with, architects and designers had to come up with efficient storage solutions, and make the best of the limited space they have. However, if you were lucky enough to be occupying a large, unobscured space with a generous budget, your storage design possibilities are endless. In this article, we look at how architects and designers found creative ways to store their belongings in spaces with different functions, scales, and spatial constraints, ranging between completely invisible units to sculptural centerpieces.

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In theory, a storage unit is an enclosed space to store objects, be it merchandise, food, clothing, books, furniture, etc. And the design of these units depends on how often the stored objects are being accessed and used; short-term storage units, such as closets and shelving, are often integrated within living rooms, kitchens, or behind counters so users can access them frequently and easily, whereas long-term storage units, such as stock depots, are built separately as they require different spatial configurations. Regarding the structural design and what they are made of, storage units can be built with any material the architect desires, and in however shape or size, depending on the context and spatial restrictions. These units can be fixed, mobile, modular, sliding, folding, or removable, and can be either completely concealed and "invisible" within a space, or entirely out in the open.

Hidden Storage

Oftentimes, a comfortable space is a clean, clutter-free space where users can circulate freely without physical or visual obstacles. Every project, regardless if it's a residential or commercial one, requires objects to be neatly stored away, not just for visual purposes but for functional ones as well; For instance, some products require to be stored in dark and temperature-controlled environments. This led designers to install hidden storage units that maintain products and create a cleaner, more refined look that seamlessly blends with the interior design.

Wall-Mounted

Perhaps the most common types of storage units are wall-mounted closets and shelves. Since closets can take up a lot of space, they are often mounted onto walls to refrain from obstructing the circulation. For some users, it is necessary to maintain clean and organized walls at all times, so they conceal their units with sleek-designed cabinets that compliment the overall aesthetic of the space. In other cases, they go for vibrant cabinetry and built-in furniture to create a pop of color.

Chã House / Pablo Pita Arquitectos

33 Apartment / Soek Arquitetura

Riviera Cabin / llabb

Bestias XX / MoVe architects

Elevated

The lack of storage space is a recurrent problem in homes nowadays. In rooms with limited space, elevated shelving and storage units can be very effective, since they do not overwhelm the area or take up from other needed fit-outs.

Sigma Coffee / Atelier Waterside

Descended

Following the same approach of elevated storage units, some designers utilized the area beneath beds since it is already considered a dead space. Once the bed is slightly elevated, the void beneath is sufficient to install both fixed and moveable drawers and cabinets.

Toormix Workshop / vora arquitectura

La Vida Residencial Building / Todos Arquitetura

Combined with Furniture - Multipurpose

Another creative way of storing objects is combining it with other pieces of furniture. Staircases are the most commonly-used example of multipurpose furniture pieces, since users can take advantage of the empty space beneath the steps and transform it into a coat closet, a warehouse, a pantry, or a decorative bookcase. Combining storage with furniture is not necessarily limited to small spaces, but to how much storage space is needed and the size of items being stored.

Lany's House / Merooficina

Tiny Apartment In Paris / Kitoko Studio

Apartment in Paris / Schemaa

Hongkong Art Storage / penda

Exposed Storage

For some users, being able to see the content of their storage is not so frowned-upon. Instead of finding ways to hide their belongings, architects and designers took the liberty of displaying them using exposed storage and shelving, turning them into decorative features. Having visual access to what's stored makes it easier for users to organize and retrieve their objects, whereas visually, the items become an added value to the interior design of the space.