The minimalist aesthetic has been around for a while, but invisible storage walls take this one step further, with the aim to conceal as much of your homeware as possible to create a sleek and streamlined, ‘barely there’ aesthetic. Wonderfully discreet, invisible storage is all about hiding away the unsightly or untidy accessories to let the fabulous parts of your home shine.
Similarly to invisible kitchens, it would appear that many people no longer wish to show off a plethora of objects, but instead, strip these spaces back to their bare essentials, and keep them well and truly hidden.
But what exactly does this most subtle of interior design trends involve, and how to take the best elements of it for your home? Here, experts share how to mimic the look that is loved by Tracee Ellis Ross.
Hidden storage is always a triumph. For a home that looks truly serene, storage that blends into the background is essential for retaining a composed look. Again, take note of the sleek, handleless storage closet in Tracee Ellis Ross's Instagram posts. It's subtle to the point of being invisible, allowing the quality of the material to take center stage.
'The sleek hidden storage trend isn’t exclusive to contemporary homes either,' says Gunter & Co's director, Irene Gunter. 'Generally, we need to house miscellaneous objects and accessories that we might not necessarily want to be visible.'
'If you have a modest-sized home, well-thought-out and tucked-away storage solutions are key to creating a clutter-free environment that allows for a soothing environment.'
Consider what you need to store and plan accordingly: in a family home, you might need somewhere to put away the toys, while in a luxury bedroom, it may be more about hiding away clothing and shoes that jar with the existing bedroom color scheme.
If you are going to create walls of storage, remember that materials matter. Here, solid wood has been used not only for sustainability but also for longevity reasons. Old or new, pale or dark, the warm and tactile nature of timber ensures it enhances any home.
Today’s furniture choices are designed to be hard-wearing, easy to clean, and available in a wide variety of finishes. ‘We are seeing a continued trend for natural materials, particularly wood, in textured finishes,’ says interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch of Sims Hilditch. 'Bespoke joinery is a big investment, but ticks so many boxes as a cool way to inject some style into a room.'
