Even the most frugal of people probably have more than two pairs of shoes. Most probably have half a dozen at least, and that’s not counting those that have been hoarded and kept in storage indefinitely. Despite their small sizes or probably exactly because of it, shoes are notorious for being difficult to keep in a way that’s both efficient and aesthetic. Racks can keep them in one place but they might as well just be piled on top of each other haphazardly. Hanging them keeps them off the floor but also looks awkward and unappealing.
Storing footwear in multiple boxes is an age-old solution that works, at least until it’s time to wear them and you find yourself precariously balancing yourself on each foot. Potential designs try to be smart and end up being complicated and unsustainable, so who would have guessed that the best answer would be nothing more than a simple wooden box with a simple yet clever trick?
Designer: Murmur Industries
They say that sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones, and nothing can be simpler than a wooden box. The Quadrant Shoebox’s simplicity is rather deceptive, however, as it actually performs two functions in one. Three if you count the aesthetic value that it adds to your space with its beautiful wooden finish. Quadrant serves as a simple bench you can sit on while putting on your shoes and tying your laces, providing safety and convenience in a simple shape.
That’s not to say that Quadrant has no tricks up its sleeves, or in this case, up its shelf. The front (or side, if you prefer) of the box swivels down, revealing a wedge-shaped compartment with space for six pairs of footwear, at least depending on their sizes. What’s impressive is how the box retains its structural stability even when the shoe rack is folded out, allowing you to sit securely on top while picking out which pair to wear for the day.
There is also a bit of ingenuity to the design of the door handle, which looks like a simple pill-shaped hole. The whole is actually cut at an angle so that you can still lift up the cover even if it’s lying flat on the floor. With this mechanism, there is no need for any additional parts like protruding handles to grasp, keeping the design simple and minimalist.
Made from Baltic birch wood, the Quadrant Shoebox and Bench does more than just provide functional storage for shoes and seating furniture. Even when standing alone, it brings a touch of natural warmth and beauty to any space. Plus, you can stack up two or three of these and still look elegant, though you might have difficulty reaching for your shoes the higher you stack them.
The post This wooden box is a clever and beautiful way to store your shoes first appeared on Yanko Design.