ADMIT it - you probably own a few too many belongings for the amount of space you actually have.
Maybe you’re a magpie in denial, or perhaps you already freely declare your guilt and are simply looking for some tips to hide your seemingly never-ending pools of possessions.
New Year often puts people in the mood for a change of scenery and to refresh our homes. According to Swoon, the UK’s leading online design-led furniture brand, 2024 is the year we should all be stepping back and taking a more minimalist approach to things, especially when it comes to our interiors.
Pause before you rush to the shops though, minimalism is all about keeping things clean, sleek, and organised. And with Google searches for ‘storage’ up 350 per cent in the last 30 days, it looks like everyone is keen to find a way to steer clear of the clutter, without throwing everything out. You can hold onto your love of maximalism while embracing minimalist style.
Minimalism is a timeless interior style that dates back to the late 1960s. Characterised by clean lines, simplicity, and purposefulness, a minimalist interior creates a sense of serenity in any space. While the style comes across as effortless and elegant, achieving it requires a lot more thought than you’d expect.
A storage chest can help hide a multitude of sins: whether it’s kids' clutter, those dresses you’re still convinced you’ll need when the occasion arises,or that random collection of antiques you just can’t bear to part with - a simple storage chest is a minimalist classic that does the job well.
Sam Greig, senior designer at Swoon, comments: “The beauty of a storage chest is in its sophisticated simplicity and ability to fit into any room. A storage chest always looks at home at the end of a bed, artfully placed in a hallway or living room, or even positioned neatly in the corner of a kitchen-dining space. Opt for a wooden storage chest that has clean, sharp lines, and minimal hardware - combining minimalism with a Scandi touch - creating a tranquil, nature-inspired space.”
If hiding your clutter isn’t for you, maybe stylish shelving is.
Clutter isn’t always something you need to hide. Perhaps you’re an avid reader with boxes of books, or a treasure hunter who loves to accumulate quirky collections. We know you could never part with these valuable possessions - so why not display them proudly and tastefully on a stunningly simplistic shelving unit? A stack of books, a few candles, and a plant or two all artfully stacked on a shelving unit is a great way to keep your home minimalist - without fully concealing your magpie tendencies.
Says Sam: “Sometimes, the best hiding place is in plain sight - and there is certainly an art to mastering the ‘effortlessly yet purposefully cluttered’ shelf look. To curate the minimalist look of your dreams, the key is to know when enough is enough. You could be one more well-placed book away from creating another cluttered shelf. Be sparing and thoughtful in the process.”
A coffee table can provide storage solutions: a simple, sturdy coffee table is a welcome addition to any living room set up and selecting one with additional storage features can really take a chic centre piece up a notch. Generally, a coffee table quickly becomes a well-used, central feature in a living room, cluttered with remotes and household items that get ‘accidentally’ forgotten. Adding a table with sneaky storage such as drawers or shelves underneath the structure can effortlessly transform the living room’s aesthetic from madness to minimalist.
Says Sam: “An added bonus to coffee table storage is that it provides an easy, accessible place to quickly stash away any clutter you might have missed earlier. From children’s toys to last night’s card games, a coffee table with added storage can easily become the ultimate hideaway - concealed in a useful yet stylish minimalist feature. Particularly useful if you have guests over and you spot a rogue bit of clutter.”
When it comes to concealing clutter, no amount of drawers are too many. A sleek chest of drawers with an abundance of space is truly a must-have for any home trying to create a more minimalist vibe. Let’s admit it, it’s an ideal solution for hiding ‘mess’ - organised or not, no one has to know what's in the drawers - while keeping things simple, tidy and elegant on the outside.
If you’re not a chest of drawers fan, you can still make a statement and keep things minimalistic with a simple yet stunning sideboard. Sideboards are a diverse piece of furniture that can fit well into multiple rooms around the home, making them an ideal addition to dial down the clutter and dial up the minimalism. Wherever you decide to place one - the bedroom, hallway, or living room - they’re always good for a quick walk by, open door, throw in the item, and walk away. Hiding clutter never looked so chic.
So, with four simple yet chic storage solutions to help disguise clutter and curate a simple, tranquil, and clean space, what are you waiting for? Forget spring cleaning’, 2024 is all about embracing your possession obsession and utilising interior design to keep the eyesores at bay. We won’t tell anyone if you don’t…
To find out more about Swoon and visit swooneditions.com
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