PR EFACE What trends, needs and challenges are we facing when it comes to storage solutions? And how does the need for storage change over the course of a lifetime? Elfa has been researching these issues for several years, and is now publishing its first collection of articles from leading experts in architecture, fashion, interior design, ethnology and the real estate industry – all of whom residing and operating in Sweden. Through interesting and enlightening conversations with these contributors, Studio Elfa, Elfa’s apolitical think tank, has often been brought back to the fact that in stormy times, well-being at home becomes especially important. The home is a place for recovery. It is also a place for socializing. Here we need space to live, and to be able to do that, we need good storage. Our homes and belongings have a huge impact on our mental health, and we feel much better when we are organized and tidy. Jannice Wistrand, certified interior designer and Feng Shui consultant, writes about how to decorate a home for well-being, peace and harmony while living in a world of sensory overload, turbulence, and stress. We see that the climate debate has been on the consumer’s mind for some time now. But only now are we seeing it affect our consumption, and that we are ready to act. We are seeing a growing trend for recycling, reuse and redesign. Many are already discussing this, as well as the importance of attributing value to our things, respecting our things. Here you can read about our future wardrobes – both with regard to fashion trends and today’s consumer behaviour, but also in terms of the wardrobe’s historical journey from the chest to the walk-in closet. In this collection of texts, Caroline Stark, a real estate agent, shares her experience of often being asked about storage. It is an important parameter when choosing a place to live, and can even be a deal breaker for some. But tomorrow’s way of living is also about new family constellations and communities. Our storage needs change over time and vary depending on what stage we are in our lives and what our living situation is. Architect Anders Larsson writes: “We will see more flexible sustainable storage solutions that will allow you to grow in a home for a long period of your life. And these will mean you will want to spend more time at home and enjoy your everyday life, whatever your generation or housing type.” This is exactly what Elfa wants to do; we want to inspire better structure and harmony at home, so that you can make room for what’s important in life. Please enjoy our first collection of articles and be inspired by Studio Elfa’s forecasts and visions on living, storage and lifestyle. Christine Dalman, Elfa
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