Storage units such as the Kulma Shelf are becoming more and more creative. No longer are people satisfied with simple, straight lines and basic colors. Instead, they want pieces with a quirky character. Interestingly, the Kulma Shelf is exactly the former with simple lines and coloring. Yet by making it snugly fit into a corner, it becomes something completely unique and coveted.
Created by Helsinki-based industrial designer Martina Carpelan in collaboration with Hong Ngo, the Kulma Shelf is made out of oak. The designer says, "Kulma, corner in Finnish, is a shelf to be hanged either in a positive or a negative corner of a room. The idea is to utilize and highlight both the space within the shelf and the corner surrounding the shelf."
Cornered Storage Units
Martina Carpelan's Kulma Shelf Uses and Highlights Negative Space
Trend Themes
1. Creative Storage Solutions - There is an opportunity to create storage solutions with unique designs that move beyond basic colors and straight lines.
2. Corner-friendly Furniture - Designers can create furniture that fits in corners, making previously unused space more functional.
3. Highlighting Negative Space - Using negative space as a design feature can create interesting and eye-catching products, such as the Kulma Shelf.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Design - Innovative furniture designers can create contemporary pieces that not only provide storage solutions but also add unique and functional design elements to a room.
2. Home Decor - Companies can offer unique and creative storage solutions that enhance the decor of a room, appealing to customers who are looking for functional pieces that also add character.
3. Interior Design - Interior designers can incorporate corner-friendly furniture and storage solutions, highlight negative space, and add functional yet quirky design elements to their clients' spaces.