ADF10_30-39 10/23/08 2:45 PM Page 39
What’s in Store for Storage?
available space, yet it must
S
imon Glanville, still look great.
Managing Director of The market leaders in the
Förvara Ltd, advises on affordable and attractive
effective storage... home furnishings sector
are, as might be expected,
In the last 30 years, UK home ownership has the ever innovative
doubled. Whilst those in Parliament maybe Scandinavians, who
cooing at this statistic, living and functioning in continue to produce a
21st-century homes, which are being built 40 plethora of good quality,
per cent smaller than those of 80 years ago, well engineered modular
presents one major dilemma for architects, how storage ranges that satisfy
to use that space – or lack of space – effectively. not only this need, but also
Those in Whitehall may have to shoulder Wardrobes and compact dressing rooms are the requirement for a stylish yet cost effective
some of the responsibility for our cramped living key to the future of the sector, as are solution at the same time.
conditions with current planning policy insisting streamlined utility rooms and effective boot Midway between the ‘cheap and cheerful’
on more densely packed housing, but property room storage – straightforward ideas that are and exclusive high-end design, sit the ‘middle
owners must also take some of the blame. often overlooked at the design stage. shelf’ brands, which offer quality, simple yet
Consumers are acquiring more and more Gone are the days of satisfying a client with a stylish storage solutions at an affordable price,
possessions compared to previous generations, simple chromed clothes rod and shelf inside ideal in the current property market which is
for whom the must have bargain was secondary their wardrobe. Modern storage solutions have forcing architects and developers to make
to the functional necessities in the home. to be flexible and adapt to the customer’s ever homes look fantastic on tighter budgets than
Working with smaller spaces can be a real changing needs – for example, the most ever, given that price rises are no longer
design challenge, but the answer maybe desirable wardrobe systems have innovative guaranteed, or even expected. Among these
simpler than it seems. Consumer trends and efficient storage spaces for shoes, clothes are one or two real gems offering great modular
suggest that homeowners are increasingly and accessories, while remaining compact and products that look equally at home dressed-up
seeking flexible, timesaving storage, but, in light maintaining the ability to add or reconfigure the inside a fitted wardrobe, full dressing room or in
of the ongoing credit crunch, at an affordable space whenever required. a raw functional state within a utility room,
price. As a result, there is, in fact, a rare Increasingly, value buying is at the top of the pantry or garage.
opportunity for architects to easily and cheaply consumer agenda. The savvy consumer is now However, whatever the state of their finances,
deliver the solutions that clients want. There are demanding more for their money – everything it will be difficult for consumers to let go entirely
a growing number of brands in the home they buy must have a real use and worth. of the aspirational look that has dominated
storage and de-cluttering arena, developing Despite, or perhaps because of, the pressures home makeover and property development TV
interesting products to solve the clutter and of the current economic climate, the programmes for so long. The key ingredients
space dilemma. ‘throwaway’ culture for cheap goods is in demanded by the current market are flexibility
The growth trends in the storage market are decline – homeowners are now looking for and value, but style will always have a big part
no longer in the products aimed at solving a products that combine good quality with to play, particularly to maximise sale potential.
simple issue, such as where to store the reasonable prices and, in terms of homeware in To impress developers and end users alike,
vacuum cleaner or an ironing board. particular, that will stand the test of time. effective storage solutions are something to be
Instead, the demand is for more Storage has to work harder, be considered as an integral element of any
comprehensive, whole room solutions. multifunctional, and be cleverly utilised in all project and not just an afterthought.
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