The beauty that only wood can offer. Ideas for making the most of wooden storage items

What makes wooden storage different?

Among the many storage goods available, wooden storage items made from natural materials

have long been cherished as useful companions in daily life, as exemplified by the kiri (paulownia wood) tansu chest.

Today, many different kinds of wood are crafted into storage items in a wide variety of forms.

What they all share is the texture unique to natural materials.

The texture of wood, which can be described as "soft" or "warm,"

is a quality that plastic and metal simply don't have.

Smooth to the touch, wooden products are gentle not only on human skin,

but also on the things they hold.

For instance, when storing clothing, wood won't inadvertently snag the fabric's fibers,

and it can also be used with peace of mind when storing paper goods.

Also, because natural wood is used, the resulting shape varies depending on the material and the method of production

—no two pieces are quite alike, which is a characteristic unique to natural wood.

A material with pronounced wood grain or knots (fushi) has a striking presence all on its own.

Some pieces have parts joined together using traditional artisan techniques,

while others, made of plywood combining thin sheets of wood, show off that craftsmanship visually.

Even something labeled simply as "storage" can offer a great deal to appreciate.

Choosing storage to match what you're storing

Now, when actually choosing a wooden storage item,

the basic principle is to match it to the size and characteristics of what you're putting inside.

■Metal accessories & wooden storage

Wooden storage items pair well with metal objects

and delicate items alike, such as accessories, USB drives, and SD cards.

For this kind of storage, the ideal item is small in size, lined with a soft material on the inside so that pieces don't scratch each other,

and equipped with a lid to keep out dust.

The Accessory Tray tower oval by PLYWOOD laboratory

has a soft fabric lining on the inside bottom,

making it perfect for storing thin metal items like earrings.

It's also great for small sewing notions like beads.

The Tsuyuki Woodworking small item case Gosu, with its vivid patterns as beautiful as Japanese sweets, is a true standout.

Made using yosegi-zaiku (traditional parquetry) from the Hakone-Odawara region,

it carries a traditional charm inspired by plant motifs,

while its design also has a modern, playful touch.

The lid closes snugly, making it well suited for storing small items you'd like to protect from outside humidity.

The Kurashiki Design Office hand-carry box has a nostalgic charm thanks to its metal fittings.

It comes with a lid and has a reasonable amount of depth,

making it a well-suited storage item for things like cosmetic bottles that need to be kept away from direct sunlight,

or anything else you'd like to protect from dust.

The box, which shows off the grain of nato wood, bears a subtle Kurashiki Design Office branding stamp.

■Give everyday items a dedicated spot

Do you have a set place for things you use every day, like glasses, keys, or a hanko (personal seal),

or small items you don't want to lose?

Many of us have had the experience of not being able to find something right when we need it.

That's where a wooden tray, small enough to hold in one hand, comes in handy.

The Tray villa by PLYWOOD laboratory

is a plywood tray combining natural wood with recycled paper.

Light enough to carry with ease, it works well as a document holder,

and is also just the right size for holding everyday small items.

Place it in your entryway or bedroom, keep your essentials in this tray,

and you'll never have to worry about losing them again.

■For small items, choose a box with plenty of depth

For instance, if you want to store a large number of small items,

the first thing to consider is the depth of the storage item.

The Cedar Storage Box by Woodlore

is made from American-grown red cedar, an aromatic wood.

Its ample depth lets you neatly line up small items of clothing

such as ties, handkerchiefs, and socks.

Red cedar also has deodorizing, moisture-resistant, and insect-repelling properties,

making this box perfect for storing clothing.

If you're looking for a storage box with both depth and a lid, consider the Drawer Box by Kurashiki Design Office.

It features three drawers of varying heights,

and although it's compact enough at 22cm deep to fit on a desk,

it's still built with plenty of depth.

Use it to sort small stationery items that tend to scatter around your desk,

or to put away children's toys.

It offers ample storage capacity while keeping dust at bay.

Wooden items that make storage worth displaying

Another virtue of wooden products is their natural appearance.

With grain and coloring that differ from piece to piece, wooden products look good just by being set out—

that's the perfect way to describe them.

We tend to think storage items should be tucked away out of sight,

but these blend naturally into a room even when left out in the open.

The HULL (boat-shaped tray) by TEORI has a shape reminiscent of an old-fashioned rowboat.

Thin, cut strips of laminated bamboo are combined to create its beautiful boat form.

By making the most of bamboo's natural flexibility, its gracefully curved form is truly artistic.

That's why it looks lovely simply displayed as an ornament by a window or in an entryway, with nothing inside,

and it also proves useful in a wide range of settings—holding fruit in the living room, or towels in the bathroom storage.

The BUNACO pen stand, characterized by its deep coloring.

This item is made by coiling beech wood round and round, and

if you look closely, you can see how the thin beech surface is wound in spirals.

While the opening is shaped in a gently drawn square,

the base is curved at a different angle, giving it an exquisite form—another one of its distinctive features.

Although it's named a "pen stand," it can hold more than just stationery—

you could fill it with cutlery and serve it right at the table as is.

It's a storage item that shows off the natural presence of solid wood.

To use storage items for a long time

■Maintain proper humidity

In the case of wooden items, an overly humid environment, or

leaving them wet after they've gotten damp, can lead to mold as well as the risk of warping.

First and foremost, "don't place it in a humid location."

For example, avoid using it in a bathroom, where moisture tends to build up,

and don't place it near windows where condensation forms in winter.

Also, make sure that whatever you put inside is always completely dry.

And "let air through it regularly."

Storage items often have a lid or come as a drawer,

so when cleaning your room, take the opportunity to open these closed spaces

and let air pass through—this prevents moisture from building up inside and helps guard against mold.

■Wipe with a soft cloth and keep an eye on its condition

As you use it, dust tends to accumulate without your noticing, and

storage items can pick up dirt over time.

Wipe the whole piece down with a soft cloth from time to time.

While doing so, take a close look at the inside as well, checking for any scratches or stains.

If you notice any scratches forming, reconsider what you're storing inside,

and if necessary, lay a piece of cloth on the bottom to help prevent future scratches.

Rather than simply leaving things inside and using storage items without a second thought,

giving them a bit of attention now and then is the key to using them for many years to come.