The difference between a space the feels calm and one that feels chaotic often comes down to organization. It’s not about adopting a lifestyle of extreme minimalism but about finding the method and manner for storing your stuff.
In the latest episode of Objects of Desire, the 1stDibs podcast, comedian and writer Dan Rosen, who says he has an “organization fetish,” discusses his vintage library card catalog, a birthday gift from his wife. Owning a piece like that, with enough drawers to calm your chaos, Rosen says, “you end up actually being almost excited about putting things away.”
Here we’ve highlighted some of our favorite storage options for the organizationally curious who prize aesthetics as much as utility.
Mid-Century Library Card Catalog
If you came of age during the analog era, this mid-century walnut-and-chrome library card catalog will spark some serious nostalgia. With 15 narrow drawers ideal for holding sunglasses, keys and daily ephemera, it would make an excellent entryway console.
Pandora Chest of Drawers
What at first glance looks like a tiled plinth is actually a cylindrical chest of drawers by De Castelli. Resembling a piece of art more than a storage unit, the cleverly designed piece works in pretty much every space.
Haberdashery Storage Unit
Sourced from a tailor’s shop in Scotland, this 1950s oak storage unit has 20 glass-fronted drawers, making it ideal for those who want to find what they’re looking for without riffling through their cabinets.
Charlotte Perriand Bookshelf
Charlotte Perriand was very forward-thinking, which meant the public wasn’t always ready to embrace her ideas. Now, however, her thoughtful designs, like this 1950s modular shelving unit featuring open and closed compartments, are beloved by collectors worldwide.
Pyramid-Shaped Cabinet
This 1960s chestnut-wood cabinet by Giuseppe Rivadossi is composed of a pyramid-shaped top half with glass-fronted doors resting on a rectangular base. It might not store much, but it is striking.
Acerbis Storet Dresser
This playful version of Nanda Vigo’s 1994 Acerbis Storet cabinet, rendered in glossy pink lacquer and black ash, embodies the spirit of postwar Italian design.
Industrial Hardware Cabinet
This circa 1900 cabinet has an incredible 370 (yes, 370) metal-lined drawers of various sizes, originally used to hold parts in an industrial setting. If you need more storage than this, well, it might be time to edit.
