# Cornered Storage Units Martina Carpelan's Kulma Shelf Uses and Highlights Negative Space By Meghan Young | Published 2011-11-30 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kulma-shelf References: [bookofjoe](http://www.bookofjoe.com/2011/11/kulma-corner-shelf.html) & [martinacarpelan](http://www.martinacarpelan.com/) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/center-center-storage). 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corner-clock), 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ledge-shelf) 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." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## 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 - **Creative Storage Solutions:** There is an opportunity to create storage solutions with unique designs that move beyond basic colors and straight lines. - **Corner-friendly Furniture:** Designers can create furniture that fits in corners, making previously unused space more functional. - **Highlighting Negative Space:** Using negative space as a design feature can create interesting and eye-catching products, such as the Kulma Shelf. ### Where This Applies - **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. - **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. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dynamic Storage-Display Shelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shelf-life.md) - [Abstract Jigsaw-Like Shelving](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spectator-shelf.md) - [Storage-Centric Minimal Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kurve-furniture.md) - [Versatile Modern Shelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/utility-shelf.md) - [Floating Stacked Storage Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kgt-wall-unit.md) - [Discreet Folding Shelf Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folding-shelf.md) - [Modular Organized Shelving Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unit-shelving-system.md) - [Dynamic Geometric Bookshelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheft.md) - [Work-Life Balance Shelving Units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/criteria-shelf.md)