Slimline

Here is something every apartment dweller can use – Slimline. A simple foldable drying rack that makes the most of small spaces.  Its compact design hangs discreetly over any door, remaining trim and out of the way until you need it. When deployed, its aluminum rack provides plenty of room for your hand washed items. And when you’re done drying your clothes – simply store the piece away until the next laundry day.

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Prep Step

Foodies - rejoice  Now there is a way to use your iPad in the kitchen with no fear of knocking it down or splashing it with hot oil. The Prep Step iPad stand and splash guard answers both concerns, and does it with elegance. The piece features a low-profile doc that can hold your device flat or at an angle in landscape or portrait mode. A static-cling splash guard protects the screen. And a neat storage compartment in the rear is another nice touch. The product comes soon to the Quirky shop.

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Mechanical Dish Rack

Everyone who occupies a small urban kitchen knows how difficult it can be to fit a full-size dish rack in it. It takes way too much counter space while offering only one function. How wasteful. Well, this dish rack by Australian born and New York based designer Sally Rumble is different. It folds flat when not in use. Simply slide out one side to make it three-dimensional again. And when you’re done – the rack can be stored away easily or used as a tray.

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Koziol Hanging Screen

These modular partitions from German brand Koziol are a new obsession of mine. Semi-transparent and light, they create beautiful and subtle dividers in a room of any size. The installation of the product is simple - connect the panels using the steel hooks provided, then place them wherever you want in your space. They work equally well as screens, decorative wall hangings, or light diffusers in front of windows. The panels obstruct view, yet allow light to shine through – a great quality for small or poorly lit studios. Being modular, the panels are interchangeable, so you can let your artistic flag fly and combine multiple colors and patterns. Available for purchase here.

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Blindry

Blindry is a brilliant window blind that turns into a fold-down laundry rack for drying clothes indoors. Perfect for small apartments, where floor space is often too limited to accomodate drying racks, the item brings multi-functionality to the new level. No wonder its designers, Kim Bobin and Ko Kyungeun, were awarded the prestigious Red Dot award for the concept. It is also an eco-friendly idea to use air and sunlight for drying clothes instead of energy-draining machines. “Sunlight can be used to dry one’s laundry and floor space in left unhindered.” – designers say.

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Corner Ladder

This has happened again – I’ve fallen in love with an item. This time it’s the Corner Ladder by Company & Company Design Studio. The genius behind this thing is in its simple and precise folding, allowing the ladder to collapse into a thin pole. Space-saving points fly here. “A ladder is a domestic standard tool that is rarely used,” – designers elaborate, – “The idea was to be able to fit it in any corner, so as to simplify and increase its use and basic operation.” Beautiful thinking, masterful execution, a must for any small home.

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Cupcake Trashcan

Recycled and recyclable, this cool paper basket has been created by Emanuele Pizzolorusso. This idea has been done by others (and noticed by garbage nerds like me), but the cupcake holder resemblance here takes the prize. 50 pleated bags, all stacked into each other, make for an effortless trash removal. Once the top bag is filled, throw it away with the contents and move to the next one, repeat. Beautiful, easy and eco-friendly.

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Cable Guys

If these designy little cable labels don’t make you smile – I shall eat my hat. These adorable organizational items, called The Mark Brothers, are there to help you in sorting your various cordage. Fun and practical, they are the ingenius cable management solution for your home office, TV or music system. And with these labels in place, you might actually be less frustrated about having to fiddle with your cables. The Mark Brothers make a neat gift as well. Available here.

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Eco Trash

As you have probably noticed, I am fascinated by trash cans. And my quest for finding the best possible one never ends. This next item is approaching an ideal. A clever eco-friendly trash can, called Urbano, allows you to store and reuse all those plastic bags that you collect from shopping in a neat and organized way. Simply loop trash bags around the cut-out sides and push them all the way down, creating a visual of stacked handles all along the side. When ready to use one – just move it up and hook the handles so it doesn’t fall on itself. Simple and brilliant! Will make you feel less eco guilty at the shops too… Available at Uncommon Goods.

Vanishing Bin

Garbage is a prose of life, but its proper disposal is essential if we want anything poetic to happen. Especially in a small space where air circulation is fast and merciless. I particularly loathe the idea of a garbage bin in its traditional form. It seems that no matter how neat you are or how durable are the liners, every so often there comes a dreaded day when you have to clean the bin (eww!). Wouldn’t it be lovely if the bin just disappeared after serving its purpose? This is the idea behind this product. Aptly called Vanishing Bin, the unusual garbage receptacle by Beza Project is comprised of several nesting paper bins. Once you fill one – throw it away along with your garbage and go to the next one. The piece is made from durable eco paper and can be used with organic waste and recyclables alike. It also promotes frequent garbage disposal, which is another bonus in a small space.

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