Depending on who you ask, a home can be many things. For some, it’s a place to seek refuge from the daily stresses of life. For others, it’s where they bask in the company of loved ones. Some will tell you that home can be anywhere in the world, as long as they are with the right people.
We expect a lot from our homes, whether big or small, our homes might serve as an office space, event hall or gym. With each additional function we require our homes to perform, a wholly different set of furniture and homeware is needed, thus rendering the ideal modern home an elusive, and often, pricey goal to reach.
Unsurprisingly, people now expect furniture to be versatile and multifunctional. A shelf can’t just provide storage space but must also be customizable and even decorative. This is the direction that furniture designers are moving towards, with Japanese lifestyle retailer MUJI amongst them taking on a simple yet effective approach. Since its inception, the brand has produced items that are stripped of superfluous features, and which can be adapted to fit seamlessly into any user’s lifestyle and design aesthetic.
This vision, which they’ve termed Compact Life, has driven the creation of homeware that go towards realizing a “simple, pleasant life”; products that simultaneously speak to the fussiest and most exacting of shoppers, while providing precisely the merits that are necessary. It’s an ideal that has never been more relevant or appealing than in today’s context and one that many have welcomed eagerly. If you have been considering reorganizing your life and living space, we have put together a guide that offers tips for organizing various areas in your home.
Entertain with panache
For a space that, at its most basic level, hardly needs anything more than a table and some chairs, a dining room can be surprisingly difficult to furnish. You probably host your guests here often, so seating capacity needs to be scaled up and down frequently. Take a look at your storage space, and make sure that you are using it efficiently so you can store tableware and food neatly.
Set the table
MUJI offers a wide range of kitchen utensils and tableware, perfectly designed to withstand wear and tear of everyday use. MUJI’s White Porcelain is made with highly translucent Amakusa pottery stone, applying traditional techniques. Made using unique acacia wood grain, MUJI Acacia plates are handcrafted with precision. Natural and lightweight, they are perfect to beautifully plate up your festive dinner.
Flexible Living Space
As a communal space where families gather for conversation and relaxation, the living room is witness to a large part of the daily routine. It also needs to be versatile so you can quickly rearrange it if you want to play a game of chess or watch a movie. Light, easily moveable and multifunctional items are your best bet.
For example, the Bead Sofa freely molds its shape to fit your body and can be adjusted for lying down or sitting. The sofa arrives as a simple seating solution for when you have unexpected guests, it’s versatile and can be easily moved to where it’s needed. After use, the covers can be removed and washed.
Everything in its place
It’s very stressful to be surrounded by clutter all the time. Find a home for everything and store it there when not in use. The MUJI storage system boxes come in several sizes and materials that can be nested, stacked, and combined in myriad ways because they’re based on the same module. Favoring unfinished or natural materials—like rattan, linen, unbleached cotton, bare metal—and subdued colors for harmonious living spaces. Mix and match MUJI’s modular storage solutions. Be creative, express your style by designing your own unique space.
Rest Well
If you are not sleeping well, there is no way you can function properly. The right mattress can truly change your life. With soft and natural colors, MUJI’s bedroom furniture creates a calming backdrop where you can recharge.
The design of the Pocket Coil Mattress distributes body weight evenly across the surface and minimizes sinking and movement, for a night of restful sleep without disruptions. While the Storage Bed provides ample storage space to minimize clutter.
Breathe
Our sense of smell can trigger memories of peace and happiness. Help yourself get into any mood by using the MUJI Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser. It is perfect for relaxation or even to stimulate your senses during work or studying hours. It silently diffuses natural aromas throughout your home. Switch the lamp on for a calming ambient glow, it’s easy to clean and use. The diffuser works best with MUJI’s essential oils, 100% pure and natural. From citrusy scents like lemongrass and bergamot that will rejuvenate you, to bedtime favorites like lavender, you will find an oil for every occasion.
Visit the MUJI store in Phase 2, Grand Avenue – The Avenues and Al Kout Mall. For more information, follow MUJI on Instagram @mujimiddleeast.
