# Muted Storage Units The Cloud Boxes Dampen Both Sound and Visual Noise By Meghan Young | Published 2013-04-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloud-boxes References: [design-milk](http://design-milk.com/cloud-boxes/) & [mkgk.nl](http://mkgk.nl/) The [Cloud Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloud-tables1) are a series of five storage units that created to dampen everyday noise, both sound and visual. Commissioned by PROOFFlab, they look almost like a set of plastic containers that could be secreted away in the closet. Nevertheless, the cloudy, [semi-transparent latex material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aurala120a) has a functionally diaphanous appeal that many will want to put on display. Designed by Eindhoven-based [Studio Maarten Kolk](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/work-capsules) & Guus Kusters, the Cloud Boxes are both masculine and feminine because of this quality. The designers reveal their inspiration behind these noise-cancelling containers, "We imagined our perfect solution should be like mist; a low-hanging cloud that doesn’t make the world around you disappear, but takes the sharp edges off and makes everything a little softer." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 54% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sound-dampening Furniture:** Opportunity for furniture manufacturers to create products designed to reduce everyday noise levels in the home or office space. - **Transparent Storage Solutions:** Innovation potential for storage companies to create functional items with visually appealing, semi-transparent design. - **Multi-use Containers:** Room for startups to develop versatile container designs, addressing the need for beauty and function in small-space living ### Where This Applies - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Manufacturers should consider adding sound-dampening products to their inventory. - **Storage Technology:** Storage technology companies could benefit by creating visually appealing, semi-transparent designs of different sizes. - **Startups:** More startups should explore developing container-type objects with multiple uses, such as storage cubes that can also work as planters or side tables. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sound-Absorbing Pendant Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxxbox-vapor-echo.md) - [Winged Storage Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flutterbox.md) - [Sound-Blocking Office Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/room-phone-booth.md) - [Eco Cork Organizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cork-box.md) - [Acoustic LED Pendent Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vapor-echo.md) - [Geometric Sound-Dampening Wall Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acoustic-compositions.md) - [Cloud-Inspired Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloud-tables1.md) - [Acousto-Optic Smart Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-wireless-speaker-design.md) - [Minimalist Private Office Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarlux-soundproof-space.md)