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The Victorians were avid collectors, which influenced the design of their homes. These 19th-century houses were built with ample storage space including cellars, attics, cupboards, pantries, and larders. Unfortunately, we have neglected to maintain this storage legacy. Modern houses and apartments often lack cellars and attics, and if they do exist, they are usually occupied by home cinemas, saunas, gyms, or playrooms.
Storage has become a forgotten aspect of home design, with many people resorting to renting expensive storage units in dimly lit warehouses. Factors such as skyrocketing property prices in city centers, an increase in renters, and developers maximizing small floor spaces have created a crisis of cupboards. We find ourselves unable or unwilling to store our belongings at home.
This issue is compounded by the emotional attachment we have to our possessions. When elderly parents downsize or pass away, they leave behind a trove of items that hold deep sentimental value. Parting with these belongings feels like an additional stage of grief, so we hold on to them. Old books, pictures, records, photo albums, letters, and furniture accumulate alongside our own belongings, driving the need for storage.
During the Victorian era, homes were filled with an abundance of objects. Mantelpieces, pianos, tables, shelves, and cabinets served as displays for sculptures, crafts, art pieces, photographs, clocks, and tapestries. However, in today’s housing market, storage is rarely emphasized or regulated, unlike other aspects like natural light, ventilation, or room size.
In contrast, museums have embraced a new approach that values the archive. Instead of strictly curated spaces, there is a desire for visitors to explore and create their own connections within the collections. Perhaps we should adopt a similar mindset and proudly display our belongings instead of hiding them away. This would bring a new level of interest to our homes.
Architect David Chipperfield exemplified this approach in his London apartment by integrating a long glass vitrine that showcased books, glasses, pots, and meaningful objects. Admittedly, this design choice is extreme as most people prefer to hide their accumulated belongings in storage to avoid confronting the sheer volume of items.
Another noteworthy example is David Kohn’s Red House in Dorset, which was designed for an art collector couple. The house features six “storage cores” that encompass service zones and dedicated rooms for keeping belongings. This reimagining of storage as a service is rare in architectural design.
Despite the cost associated with storage, both in terms of real estate and renting lockers, people continue to accumulate belongings. When it comes time to move, the sheer quantity of possessions becomes evident. Yet, our current obsession with spacious, minimalist living spaces contradicts our attachment to objects. The solution may lie in embracing more storage options, or perhaps in proudly displaying our belongings. After all, we acquire and keep things because we find joy in their company.
Edwin Heathcote is the FT’s architecture and design critic.
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