Home Inspiration

How to Clean and Care for Your Timber Furniture the Right Way

by Brosa Design · Sep 3, 2018

Timber furniture makes some of the most appealing home decors you can find, but only if you care for it properly. Wood is a natural material that is more vulnerable to scratches, chips, and other damage than is metal or plastic.

A piece of timber furniture requires regular cleaning, dusting, refinishing, and more. Here’s an essential guide to cleaning and caring for your timber furniture.

What Kind of Finish Do You Have?

Before starting any cleaning, find out what finish your furniture has. Some cleaning products react poorly with certain finishes.

Wood can be unfinished, but more often it has a coat of solution to keep out moisture. This coat can be wax, a stain, a chemical sealant, shellac, or lacquer. If you don’t know, find out. Soap and water go a long way toward cleaning most pieces of furniture.

Cleaning Untreated Wood

Step 1: Dust the Wood

Use a smooth, clean duster or cloth that’s slightly damp. The moisture pulls up the dust rather than spreading it around to a different spot. Move the cloth in the direction of the grain to preserve the pattern over time.

Step 2: Clean with Soapy Water

After you dust, dip a cloth in mild soapy water. Wipe everywhere on the chair or table. When you clean, apply the water to the fabric and wipe down the wood. Never apply water directly to wood because it can get oversaturated.

Step 3: Dry Quickly

After you finish immediately rinse and dry with a smooth cloth. Never leave water on untreated wood because it can lead to rot.

Keep untreated wood out of the elements as much as you can. Even if you don’t get actual water on it, if you live in a humid environment it can have the same effect. Water collects from the air onto and inside solid surfaces, and with wood, this is not a good thing at all.

Cleaning Finished Furniture

When it comes to finishes, most finishes respond well to a simple solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water and being wiped down with a rag. The exception here is wax.

You don’t want to use detergent with wax; instead, use soap flakes. You can also find commercial wax cleaners that come ready-made and ready to use.

You should avoid using scented sprays on finished surfaces. The chemicals in aerosol sprays not only are bad for the environment, but they also react badly with certain types of wood finish.

Spray polish tends to leave an unsightly residue on wood that can be difficult to get off. Wiping down with soap and water is the simplest, best solution. If you do use commercial cleaners, always dry the furniture. Water spots and spray spots don’t look good on furniture.

Polishing vs. Waxing

If you polish wood, you’re simply applying a substance that makes the wood shiner. Most of the time, you’re not protecting it, just making it more slippery and less likely to catch onto things that would cause scratches or dents.

When you polish, you can leave a residue that will interfere with any future repainting or refinishing. Also, if you’re using a polish that has a lot of oil, it can smear and make fingerprints more obvious. You’ll have to clean all the more often when this happens.

Waxing, on the other hand, offers an actual hard coat. This coat, when properly applied, can last for years and only comes off after you apply a solvent. Waxing takes a little longer than polishing, but it provides more protection.

Before doing any cleaning, you should always dust the wood. To apply paste wax, rub it in small circles across the furniture until it’s completely covered. Then, use opposite motions to remove it with a clean cloth. Wax on, wax off.

After you’ve finished, and the wax has dried, go back over the furniture with a feather duster.

Moving Wood Furniture

When you have to move wood furniture like a bookshelf, carefully measure the dimensions of each doorway you’ll pass through. Trying to go through too small a doorway can cause you to scratch your furniture, and it can be difficult to erase the signs of a scratch.

Another thing you can do to prevent damage to your furniture is to place several layers of paper towels around the edges. They’ll act as a buffer between the furniture and water.

You can also use newspaper, but beware that the ink may rub off and need cleaning from the wood immediately after placing the furniture.

Fixing a Scratch

The dreaded has happened. You miscalculated when moving that antique armoire or your bedroom dressing table and now there’s a nick in the wood.

Luckily, there are ways you can deal with them. Scratches might just take the finish off the wood, or if they’re deep, they can go down into the wood itself. It’s far easier to apply finish than it is to refill a scratch, but we’ll briefly explain how to do both.

To remove light scratches, apply a diluted mixture of water and rubbing alcohol with a damp rag, then apply commercial scratch remover. You may also want to apply pigmented polish to make your furniture look like the scratch never happened.

For deeper scratches, you can use wax to fill it in. You can also use wood filler, but that requires glue, and wax takes the form of the scratch more easily.

First, use 600-grit or finer sandpaper to smooth out the edge. Then, gently run the wax stick into the scratch until it fills in the gap. Use a putty knife or something similar to scrape the excess wax away, then apply the polish of your choice. Two coats of polish should work nicely.

Keeping timber furniture clean and cared for doesn’t have to be difficult. As long as you perform regular cleaning and maintenance, keep your furniture away from water, and avoid getting it scratched, you can keep your wooden furniture looking great for years and decades to come.

And when it is time to update? Be sure to check out our range of designer furniture for your replacement today!

The Best Types of Timber & Finishes for Your Furniture

by Brosa Design · Jul 17, 2018

Wood furniture gives your home an instant dignified air, no matter whether it’s a pine cabinet or a large oak kitchen table. Multiple types of woods see use in home furnishings, and these woods receive different finishes to achieve a distinctive look.

The cost of the wood used in furniture varies because not all species of tree grow naturally in the same place. In tundra and cold climates, you’re more likely to see pine. Oak sees more use in temperate zones. These are just a few examples. We’re here to give you the basics of different favourite types of timber and their finishes

Types of Timber

First, a bit about timber types.

Oak for Solid Furniture Pieces

Oak is a hard, heavy wood used in furniture meant to support a lot of weight. As one of the more expensive solid woods, you’ll see it in cabinets, tables, and occasionally chair legs. You can also use it as a veneer. Oak comes in two colours: red and white.

Red oak is a bit stronger than white oak, but both are beautiful in their own right. The open grain texture gives it distinct patterns. Oak grain is almost always straight along the wood. This tree grows throughout many of the forests in temperate climates.

Pine for Light Colour & Texture

Pine wood sees a lot of use when it comes to untreated furniture pieces, mainly because the light colour and texture make it easy to paint, stain, or otherwise alter.

Pine is a soft wood that works well for curved and ornate-looking furniture because of how easy it is to shape.

Because it’s a soft wood, it is easy to damage, especially without treatment. If you want wood with a distinct curved grain with knots, you should consider pine furniture. As a coniferous tree, it grows more in northern climates and is likely cheaper in those areas.

Ash for Hardy Wood Furniture

Ash is a more popular choice for many pieces of furniture than oak because ash is harder and more responsive to finishes and painting. With oak, you can only have its natural colours. If you choose to use a finish on ash, you’ll notice the distinctive pale look.

One advantage ash has over oak is that it’s resistant to decay. You’ll see it used in modern furniture more than oak because ash is more widely available. Natively, it grows in European forests, but can occasionally grow in North America.

Mahogany for High Quality Furniture

This is one of the more expensive woods, so it’s used in fine, high-quality furniture. Mahogany has a distinctive, dark red-brown hue that makes it work well for almost any kind of furniture.

It’s a soft and easy wood to work so that it can be shaped into ornate trims and fittings. Mainly, you’ll see mahogany used in things like cabinets or drawers. The tree grows large and creates broad boards.

The other two types of mahogany that exist tend to grow in the Philippines and Honduras. This version of the tree has orange and grey hues, respectively.

Walnut for Dark, Natural Colours

Walnut is by far the most expensive of the hardwoods you’ll see in furniture. Like mahogany, it can be used in a wide selection of furniture.

It isn’t the hardest of woods, but it is relatively easy to work. Walnut wood has one of the darkest natural colours, ranging from dark brown to almost black. You’ll see walnut wood used in china cabinets and the occasional table.

The 4 Most Common Finishes

There are several finishes that can give your timber a beautiful shine to make it stand out.

Lacquer for High Sheen

As a finish, lacquer creates an extremely high-gloss shine applied via a sprayer. It’s a solution that dries on the wood and creates a fine coating when the liquid solvent evaporates.

Lacquer is one of the most durable finishes, which is why you see it so often on furniture, but it can suffer discolouration over time and become scratched.

Natural Oils for Rich Polish

Oils are liquid that work their way down into the wood, giving it a rich, polished look without creating an impervious film the way lacquer would.

It’s easy to apply: just saturate the wood with oil and rub it in with a rag, then sand it in to create an even smoother appearance.

The most common types of oil you’ll see used are tung oil and linseed oil because of their abundance. When applied, they can create a solid film that will have to be reapplied periodically. You can also use mineral oil on surfaces where food will be placed.

Shellac for Golden Amber Look

Many people confuse shellac and lacquer, but they aren’t the same thing. Shellac is a natural compound that comes from the lac bug. Combined with rubbing alcohol, these secretions produce a formula that can create a rich amber colour that stays on wood for a long time.

Because shellac is a partially organic compound, it can break down when exposed to heat. So it’s a compound you don’t want to use on surfaces that see a lot of heat, like kitchen counters or tables.

Wax for Fine Polish

Wax is another temporary finish used by a lot of beginning woodworkers. It goes great on furniture that doesn’t see a lot of wear and tear, like bookcases.

You apply warm wax with a rag onto the wood, and it can last for up to a year. However, wax finish comes off easily when dissolved in natural spirits. This is useful if you need to apply a new finish or to repair damage to the wood.
Whether you want to buy pre-made furniture or apply new treatments to your existing pieces, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of the different kinds of finishes.

When making a furniture selection, knowing the material the furniture is made of can help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your home.

Hardwood furniture can be expensive, but it’s worth the price tag. Other wood types exist, but these are things like plywood, particle board, and other things that just don’t look good in classy decor.

Invest in a quality, designer piece of wood furniture with Brosa’s exquisite furniture range. Crafted by loving artisans, our furniture is delivered direct to you to help cut down costs. Browse our full range of designer furniture today.

All that glitters is gold: using metallics in your interior

by Milena Tsitovitch · Jun 19, 2018

Gold, brass, copper, chrome – metallics of all shades have exploded in interiors in recent years. There are no signs of the trend slowing down. They have officially crossed over into neutral territory, being as fitting in contemporary homes as they are in Art Deco apartments.

Incorporating metallic accents into a space can instantly create a classic yet stylish aesthetic. So, take inspiration from the cocktail hour of the 70s and inject some glittery glam into your home.

Strike a balance

Rule number one? Accent, don’t flood. Adding a simple touch of glimmering metal can make a space infinitely and instantly more interesting. Stuffing a room full of metallics, on the other hand, can leave it feeling tacky and overdone. Use metallics as subtle accents within a larger interior scheme. Accessories like floor lamps, shakers and bar carts work at effortlessly upping the glam in a room. The addition of sleek golden legs on the Huber Coffee Table turn what could have been another conventional household object into an interesting focal point.

Keep the colour palette calm

The last thing you want to come home to after a hard day’s work is a home filled with overly stimulating décor. Too many bright and glamorous colours and materials in a room will compete for attention, drowning out the glamour of any metallics. Keeping the colour scheme toned down will ensure your new additions aren’t lost in a sea of interior excitement. Choose soft, neutral shades or go moody with deep emerald and navy to contrast brilliantly against the metallics. The Lisette Armchair is a stunning combination of soft cream against a gold accent frame.

Pair with texture

The trick to successfully infusing a space with metallic furniture and décor is to pair them against softer textures. This will create balance and ensure seamless integration of the glamorous trend into any room. The McCoy Bar Cabinet is a perfect example of using opposing finishes against one another, with its muted grey contrasting beautifully against polished golden lines.

Avoid fads and pigeonholes

Can’t decide between gold and silver? You don’t have to! Gone are the days where interiors were locked into one particular shiny hue. Brass, chrome, silver and gold are timeless. They can introduce warmth while maintaining a contemporary edge. So is rose gold – in the right application. Mix the brushed copper Lyra Table Lamp with the polished gold of the Hertz Bedside Table to create a glamourous and unique blend. Just be sure to choose shades that reflect your personality, rather than those currently in the spotlight. This way, you will ensure that the shiny additions to your home are those that you and your family with enjoy for years to come.

Light up a space

Metallics aren’t just great at increasing the glamour levels in interiors. Shiny surfaces reflect light – which can be particularly effective in spaces lacking square meterage. This dual purpose makes them very effective at bouncing light around the room as well as creating visual interest in a dull space. Pair the beautiful brass of the Mensa Floor Lamp with a subtle metallic cushion to really ramp brighten a small room without dominating the existing décor.

Deciphering between Hamptons and French Provincial

by Milena Tsitovitch · Jun 7, 2018

There’s nothing quite like a beautiful interior. You don’t have to replace your entire furniture collection to achieve the look you want. It can be as simple as investing in the right piece to transform the entire space.

With so many furniture styles out there, choosing one can be confusing enough. Ask for an elegant but relaxed vibe – and you may find yourself deciding between French Provincial and Hamptons. Both styles showcase soft neutrals and natural materials, which is why they can work so well together. But how do you differentiate – and ultimately choose – between the two?

What is Hamptons style?

Timeless, coastal and cool – it’s hard to fault the allure of the Hamptons style. Originally inspired by a group of villages in Long Island – New York’s affluent coastal playground – this style is all about escaping the hustle of city life. Neutral tones pair with warm timbers and ocean-inspired colour palettes to create a relaxed yet sophisticated interior.

While both Hamptons and French Provincial offer a classic-contemporary feel, Hampton’s style is less ornate. Large scale furniture and clean lines in soft, dreamy textures scream comfort and luxury.

What about French Provincial?

Faring from the countryside regions of 17th Century France, the French Provincial style is all about relaxed ‘shabby chic’ living. It’s the perfect blend of quality craftsmanship and quaint farmhouse, where elegant Paris meets simple country – complete with fields of fragrant lavender. As far as colour schemes go, soft whites are often complemented with warm golds and fresh greens on upholstered fabric to portray a classy style.

French Provincial is far more rustic and delicate in detail than the nonchalance of its American cousin. Intricate Baroque furniture pieces – such as the aptly named Baroque Coffee Table – are often paired with distressed timber accents to reflect refined country living.

Same same but different

While French Provincial offers ornate details, Hamptons is all about simplistic – yet elegant – comfort. But the reality is that the differences between these two styles are often subtle. After all, both French Provincial and Hamptons share a love for relaxed and timeless interiors. Unless you have a strong preference for one, mixing classic Hamptons with the elegance of French Provincial can create a perfect blend of the two. Here are the best elements of each style to integrate into your home.

White dominates

The primary colour (or shade to be precise) for both Hamptons and French Provincial is white. The focus lies with light palettes and plenty of white-on-whites to create airy interiors. This is a big part of what makes these two styles so sought after. The stark whiteness is often balanced with neutral shades like beige and timber, with hints of washed down blues and navy sprinkled throughout. Combine the breezy Atlantic blue of the Marken Large Round Ottoman with the fresh white of the Beaudan Armchair to create a calming yet polished vibe reflective of both styles.

Linen is king

What better way to show off luxurious shades of white than with crisp linen? Linen is the perfect fabric for making a space feel effortlessly beautiful. This is why both Hamptons and French Provincial use it so profusely – and why you can bring both styles together in the same interior. It provides rich texture to an otherwise simple aesthetic. Use tufted furniture with button detailing – like the majestic Madeline Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa – to bring old world charm into your home. The linen will provide comfort appeal while the tufts or button accents lend a refined look.

Wooden accents

Linen isn’t the only natural element these two styles have in common. Both Hamptons and French Provincial rely on wooden accents and furniture to make the space feel warm and lived in. The main difference here is French Provincial’s tendency to rely on distressed wood and aged metal to portray a country lifestyle. Expansive wood coffee tables like the Maison Storage Coffee Table are a good way to bring together Hamptons and Provincial style. A rustic wood dining table such as the Chablis Trestle Dining Table 200 x 100 can create an almost heirloom piece – making it seem as though families have been gathering around it for centuries.

With both styles flaunting airiness and casual luxury, the question is: do you want more rustic farmhouse or beachside cottage? There is no right or wrong way to decorate your interior. You can choose to exclusively use Hamptons style furniture or mix and match to create a blend of Hamptons and French Provincial (or vice versa). Whatever your decision, these two styles will blend seamlessly together to add casual luxury to your home.

Creating a Pinterest-worthy home office

by Milena Tsitovitch · Jun 1, 2018

Whether you run a business from home or simply need a space to organise family affairs, creating a dedicated home office can ensure your kitchen bench isn’t a constant battlefield of bills. With more time spent working from home, it is surprising that the home office is still one of the most overlooked areas of the house – with styling limited to nanna’s battered wares.

A streamlined home workspace should not be a mismatched jumble of rejected furniture or, worse still, a sterile room with a clinical chair and desk. On the contrary, the home office should strike a perfect balance between functionality and style to encourage productivity and offer inspiration. There is nothing motivating about dull colours and a cluttered space.

Set aside a space

Gone are the days where home offices had to be separate rooms devoted to paperwork. With the advent of open plan living comes the concept of open plan offices. Whether you choose to embrace the open office or opt for something a little more traditional, the end goal is to produce a dedicated office space.

It can be tempting to simply use the dining table as an ad hoc workspace, but this can throw the concept of work-life balance out the window. Don’t let that glass of red trick you into thinking you’re having “you” time hunched over a laptop on the kitchen bench! Home offices are not just reserved for those with the luxury of space, either. Smaller dwellings can transform an unused alcove into a stylish little nook for their laptop and calendars.

Product: Espen® Office Chair. Photo: @thebrownsbuiltahouse

Keep it simple

The key to a beautiful home office is to take the minimal approach when styling. A space that features a rainbow of colour or every trinket that didn’t make the styling cut in other parts of your home is likely to cause distractions. Focus on a calming colour scheme and choose stylish storage rather than filling the office with pretty but useless décor.

Reverting to one styling idea doesn’t mean your home office has to be clinical or devoid of any flair. This isn’t some tiny cubicle lost in a sea of corporate buildings, it is your home office – so get creative with trendy accents and personal touches. Spruce up the space with an interesting wallpaper or some refreshing wall art. Add a textured Lalit wool rug to make the room feel less office-y. Finally, bring the space to life with greenery. Display potted plants on the desk, floor or hang them from the ceiling to inject tranquillity, reduce noise and keep the air clean.

Get organised

Whether your home office is part of a larger living area or has its own dedicated room, there is no excuse for clutter. Leaving bundles of paperwork lying around will not only create a disorganised space – and cramp those already lacking in square meterage – but also reduce productivity. To avoid paper chaos and ensure a streamlined work area, you need to get smart and savvy with storage.

Reduce clutter by reserving as much of the desk space as possible for actual work tasks. That is not to say that the desk should stay completely bare. Small accents can (and should) be used to inject personality. Just stick to those with a practical aspect to them, such as a trendy calendar or framed motivational poster to ensure they don’t interfere with your day-to-day work. Opt for horizontal storage to make the most out of the available area. The Kidd bookcase is perfect for those with home offices not blessed with copious amounts of space. Open shelving is great for showing off décor but can quickly become overwhelmed with folders and stacks of paperwork. Keep files away from prying eyes with a desk drawer or stylish floor cabinet.

Choose comfort and function

Investing in office furniture isn’t as simple as picking out the most trendy desk and chair available. Unless you currently utilise a standing desk, you will most likely spend hours at a time sitting on one particular chair at one particular table. Therefore, you need to make sure these investments are as comfortable as they are stylish!

Consider workflow and the requirements of your workspace before buying office furniture. If you are incredibly organised and love the minimalistic approach, the petite Juno desk may be more than adequate. On the other hand, if you prefer to sprawl out and brainstorm, the sturdy Lewes desk would be much more appropriate. An office desk and chair that offer great fit and support for your back, tush and arms will allow you to work comfortably and productively. Always take the time to choose pieces that are both functional and beautiful.

Light it up

There is nothing more dampening to productivity than spending hours in dimly lit office space. Leave those dark and dingy offices for the private investigators in noir films. Aim to set up your office space in an area that allows for plenty of natural light. Allowing natural light to filter in while you work will not only save on electricity costs – it will also boost productivity and benefit your health. Plus, it has the added bonus of shining light on your décor (literally). Now we don’t condone daydreaming while gazing longingly out of the window, but short breaks are great for reducing eye strain.

While proper overhead lighting is important (especially in the winter hours), introducing a table lamp can create functional mood lighting. The stunning Alpha table lamp will cast a beautiful light and brighten your mood at the same time.

The basics to sofa styling

by Milena Tsitovitch · May 30, 2018

The living room is one of the most visible parts of your home – the way you decorate it will be a constant reflection of your personality to every guest that walks through the door. Perhaps the single most important item in this room is the humble sofa.

Here’re some quick ideas to get you started with sofa styling.

Start with a solid base

Styling a sofa is almost like painting a masterpiece. Sure, your sofa may look pretty flash, but in the end, it is simply a blank canvas waiting for a few cushions and throws to really bring it into the spotlight.

Having said that, there is no point investing in beautiful cushions or plush throws if the sofa they will be adorning is one that you don’t love. If the foundation of your soft furnishing arrangement already looks to have one leg in the dumpster, it might be time to upgrade to something a little more up your alley. Opting for a neutral piece – such as the John 3 seater sofa – will give you the perfect base to embark on your styling journey.

Add cushions and throws

There is something addictive about cushions – no matter how many you already own, there always seems to be room for more. Cushions are the low maintenance solution to creating that coveted ‘cosy feel’ in your living room.

Then there are throws. Not just a way to stay warm in winter while bingeing on Netflix, throws come in all shapes, sizes and textures – a well-draped throw can really take your sofa styling to the next level.

Know the magic number

The key to a perfectly balanced sofa is to rotate, rather than hoard. Not only will too many throws or cushions take up precious seating space, they can also create a feeling of clutter and leave your actual sofa invisible – a dozen strong cushion collection does not need to be displayed simultaneously. The aim is effortless style rather than soft furnishing addict, and there is a big difference between eclectic and excessive! On the other hand, a lone cushion on an enormous sectional sofa can leave the space feeling bare and incomplete.

An odd number of furnishings – such as three cushions and a single throw – works well for a more casual and relaxed feel. Utilising symmetry through an even placement of cushions and throws will produce a more formal or traditional setting. If the in-laws are coming over for dinner, try arranging your furnishings on either end of the sofa to give the space a formal feel. Entertaining friends with a casual weekend barbecue? Group the cushions to one side of the sofa for an instantly relaxed vibe.

Keep it complementary

What better way to embrace the cooler months than with a sofa styling update? Switching out a couple of cushions to stay on trend is much gentler on the hip pocket than having to purchase new furniture every season – not to mention much more eco-friendly. Take inspiration from the colours and textures of autumn – embrace reddy-orange hues with a thick linen throw or add autumn greens with the Elementary Cushion Olive Green with French Beige.

However, when choosing cushions and throws the first thing you need to consider is the colour and material of your sofa. Just like an ivory dress can make pale skin look completely washed out, a poor cushion choice can leave your sofa feeling displaced from the rest of the space.

The goal is not to match colours to a tee, but rather pick a certain tone, texture or theme to tie the whole space together. Take cues from the existing furniture and décor in the room – a tan leather cushion may look stunning on the showroom floor but bringing it home to your brown leather sofa will see it lost in the sea of leather.

The beauty of most sofas is that their single block of colour acts as a perfect base for and creating depth with textures and patterns. Add visual interest by choosing an assortment of cushions and throws with different elements. Pair a rectangular velvet number with a pair of smooth cotton cushions, or a round thickly woven cushion with a light linen throw. From Mongolian lambswool to shiny sequin, the mix and match possibilities are endless – just keep the size of your sofa in mind. An oversized cushion may look striking on a large sofa but will simply dwarf a smaller design and make the space feel odd and disproportioned.

Look at the bigger picture

Sofas are not used in isolation; rather, they form part of the bigger picture: the living room. This means that when styling your sofa, you should also consider the décor immediately surrounding it. The floor lamp used to read your favourite book, the side table where your cup of tea rests and the statement art directly behind the sofa all play a major part in creating the perfectly styled sofa. Pick complementing décor that will help unify the space rather than leave each piece battling for the limelight.

And don’t forget about the chop! ‘Chopping’ your cushions with a quick karate-like flick will have your style oozing with on-trend style.

Tricks to sneaking in storage on a budget

by Milena Tsitovitch · May 25, 2018

While often overlooked, storage is one of the most important elements of a well-organised home. With many Australians foregoing backyards for balconies, making the most of the available internal space becomes a top priority. Built-in linen closets, cupboards under the stairs, roof cavities… even stair drawers are smart options for adding storage to a home. But what are all the homeowners and renters without the opportunity to add structural changes supposed to do? Here are a few simple ways to introduce storage and eliminate clutter – no matter the size of your home.

Clear out

Before rushing out to add storage-specific furniture to your home, ask yourself, “Do I really need all the things I’m planning to store?”. From dedicated popcorn makers to lava lamps and flared jeans (no, these aren’t coming back in style anytime soon), material objects have an amazing way of accumulating over time. While there is no need to adopt Japanese minimalism, a household inventory review is a great way to reduce mess – and save you from buying storage solutions you don’t actually need. So, don’t wait for spring to clear out that snow globe collection.

Store and display

Open wall shelving is a great option for displaying anything from cultural collections and tourist trinkets to inspirational books and personal photographs. Ready built shelving units – such as the Lang Wall Unit – come in different widths to match both storage requirements and space allowances. Just be sure that this solution doesn’t turn into an excuse to hoard items that belong in a charity bin instead. There is a huge difference between stylish vignettes and chaotic shelving – although open shelving creates an interesting focal point, too many items can make a small space appear cramped.

Dual purpose furniture

Is there anything cooler than beautiful furniture that doubles as extra storage? We think not. Dual purpose pieces can make for stylish additions to your space while hiding away any clutter not worthy of displaying. Mirrored bathroom wall cabinets are ideal for keeping various toiletries out of sight while reflecting light around the room. Gas lift bed bases – like the Hannah Gas Lift Queen Size Bed Frame – combine storage and functionality to maximise interior space while adding comfort to your lifestyle. And then there are coffee tables with drawers featuring intricate details that can keep remotes, bottle openers, and even kids’ toys at bay.

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