Creating a clutter-free home has been said to work wonders for our mental health. Amidst the whirlwind of daily tasks, it makes sense that clever storage solutions can help maintain order and ease the often overwhelming task of cleaning. Yet, practical storage doesn't have to mean dull. Whether you’re seeking a vintage storage cabinet to accommodate numerous items, a few home office solutions, or a vintage storage trunk for that nostalgic touch, the right piece can be both practical and aesthetically inspiring. There's an abundance of options, but we’ve pulled together a few classics to take one thing off your to-do list.
Storage trunks
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When exploring vintage storage solutions, we must begin with trunks and chests, which stand as icons in their own right. A vintage storage trunk or chest infuses any room with the nostalgia of a bygone era. Large, roomy, and easy to pack, they are also highly practical. For a gorgeous statement bedroom piece, consider this Hungarian wedding chest, hand-painted with floral adornments over a century ago.
For a more traditional shipping trunk, take a look at this early 20th century French steamer trunk–a timeless antique with leather trims and brass locks. If floor space is limited, opt for this upright black antique trunk with chunky gold-like detailing to make a bold storage statement. And for those with a love for designer homewares, this French Louis Vuitton courier trunk may just be the perfect addition.
Japanese Cabinets
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Sometimes, a big storage trunk isn’t quite what’s in order. If you have many little items that end up in the one big box, it can be a challenge to find what you need when you need it. Japanese designers know what it means to create beautiful pieces that can house many different storage draws or compartments. The medicine cabinet is a prime example that can be used for all sorts from storing medications to crafting bits and bobs to cosmetics or kids toys and more. This Japanese 'kusuri-dansu' apothecary's chest with 102 drawers is ideal for the meticulous organiser or collector alike.
If a hundred plus drawers are a few too many, this Japanese storage chest with nine drawers might be a more suited fit. Crafted from paulownia and cedar woods, this traditional choba dansu found its primary use in merchant homes or shopfronts. Adorned with ornate iron hardware and circular lock plates, and featuring drawers of various sizes, it offers greater versatility in storage compared to the uniform medicine cabinet.
Multi-functional pieces
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For those with less space or if you simply appreciate a multi-functional piece of furniture, a statement table with hidden compartments might be the one. Take these cherry-red round storage units designed in 1967 by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell. Anna Castelli Ferrieri was a pioneering figure in the design world, known for her emphasis on functionality, such as the use of durable materials, blended with aesthetic appeal. These tables are part of the permanent collections of both MoMA in New York and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and you too can have one grace your home.
If you’re on the lookout for an outdoor accent, perhaps a vintage barrel could pique your interest? This 19th-century English storage barrel stands strong in a deep, rich wood tone with brass-bound cooper. Picture all those scattered toys in your yard effortlessly tossed into the barrel, discreetly out of view. Afterwards, you can enjoy your morning coffee atop it as you admire your clutter-free outdoor space.
The Home Office
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Working from home has its many benefits, but without bosses or colleagues surveying your space, there’s less of an incentive to keep it clutter-free. Yet, with a clean workspace comes a clean mind, or so they say. If your working style requires you to have your papers at the ready, this vintage timber document tray will stack those papers within an open and organised reach. The mid-tone wood will also bring warmth to more contemporary home office spaces or pair well with mid-century pieces. For those with more heavy-duty needs, a traditional filing cabinet in sturdy oak wood will neatly tuck away a large volume of work in style.
Despite our best filing efforts, desk clutter can still accumulate. From loose coins and coffee cards to those essential oil stress rollers we insist we will use. For habits like these, a small vintage box may be worthwhile. This 19th-century Korean coin chest is an incredible antique. Crafted from honey-coloured Elm, a wood that was once reserved for scholars, it features black iron brackets and decorative piercings, making it both unique and practical.
Lastly, if you’re simply looking to dip your toe, don’t forget a cane basket or two can go a long way in keeping a living space tidy.