10 smart storage cabinets for a creative's home office

As creatives, we spend so much of our lives in our home office. And the more that environment makes us feel comfortable, enriched and aesthetically engaged, the more creative and motivated we're going to be in our work. That's why we're bringing you a series of articles suggesting inspiring furniture that can bring your space to life. We've already covered desks and chairs, so now we're going to look at storage.

Office cabinets are often more functional than beautiful… but that needn't be the case. So here, we're focusing on the kind of cabinets that make a home office look cosy, especially once you've put a nice on lamps on top, and maybe your favourite prints or photos too. These might well be in the background of Zoom calls after all, and you want your space to look its best. Of course, our options are also functional too; providing useful storage for all your creative equipment to cut out clutter.

And the benefits of decluttering should not be dismissed lightly. When you work in a clean, clear beautiful space, you'll find you have more energy and greater focus, as you free your creative brain from visual distractions. This will give you greater confidence, make you feel more motivated to work, and well, just make you happier overall. (If you don't believe us, just try it!).

These 10 smart storage cabinets will help you declutter in the right way, all offering a perfect blend of style, functionality and versatility. They're not all the same, though. From sleek and minimalist designs to elegant and handcrafted pieces, each cabinet on our list has its own unique charm.

However, if you're short of cash and are looking for a budget option, then here are four from IKEA to investigate. Trotten is a double-sided cabinet with open and closed storage that's perfect as a room divider. IVAR is a pine shelving unit with cabinet that continues to be popular half a century after it was first introduced. Besta is a sideboard combo that provides plenty of storage, as well as a surface to create an attractive display. And then there's the beloved Kallax (previously known as Expedit), a creative's loyal companion for many years. These days, you can add extra shelving as well as drawers and doors, all in lots of different configurations.

Now, on with our main list, as we dive into the world of smart storage cabinets and help you discover the perfect addition to your creative sanctuary.

1. The Midi in Slate by Mustard Made

We'll start our list with a storage cabinet that's perfectly sized for most home offices, from female-founded company Mustard Made. Put simple, it's neither too small, nor too big, but nicely in the middle at 111cm high x 85cm wide x 40cm deep. Inside, you'll find two adjustable shelves (in four parts), two handy hooks (one inside each door), two cable holes and two wall attachment points. It also comes with air vents, lockable and custom keyrings, and a magnetic surface. This cabinet comes flat-packed, but don't worry, it's pretty simple to put together.

2. Bridge Home by Bisley

Bridge Home solves both your storage and display needs in one seamless, stylish system inspired by the traditional desser, but reimagined for the contemporary home and office. Its steel colours and wood textures make for an aesthetically pleasing combo and it's super-versatile. So whether you want a place to pop your printer or somewhere to recharge your batteries, you're sorted. The range consists of cupboard and drawer units, available in a variety of heights and finishes, with a choice of 34 steel colours and eight laminates.

3. Unique’s Highboard by Anderson Furniture

Designed by iconic Danish furniture designers Karl Rossell and Tonny Glismand, aka byKATO, this cabinet is defined by clean, elegant lines, a simple approach to structure and form, and exquisite workmanship. Measuring 132cm high x 131cm wide x 43cm deep, it's hand-made in oak veneer in a choice of black or white pigmented finish, with doors of white pigmented matt lacquer oak veneer. This beautiful cabinet is made to order so you'll have to wait eight weeks, but it'll be worth the wait.

4. New Order Shelving System - Combination 204 by Hay

With designs for many well-known companies, as well as his own studio, Stefan Diez has won numerous design awards, and this cabinet is typical of his timeless, minimalist work. This sleek and stylish cabinet is part of a wider modular shelving series, with many colour and configuration options available. Defined by its robust metal structure, it comes with two practical shelving areas, along with a spacious cupboard area and a wall safety bracket. At 115cm high x 100cm wide x 34cm deep, this cabinet is ideal for a home office or for positioning in a hallway. Note that it requires some self-assembly.

5. Glove cabinet by House of Finn Juhl

The creation of Danish designer Finn Juhl, this spectacular cabinet broke design traditions when it was first presented in 1961 at the Cabinetmaker’s Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, and it still packs a visual punch today. Measuring 51.7cm high x 69.2cm wide x 34.8cm deep, it combines the luxurious feel of solid Japanese cherry wood with drawers in a beautifully bold range of colours, along with burnished steel legs and wheels and fittings in brass. This cabinet is hand-made to order, with an estimated lead time of 12 weeks.

Basically, this is our dream cabinet, and the only reason it's not number one on our list is the eye-watering price. So if you're looking for an affordable alternative, we'd recommend checking out the Alex drawer on castors from IKEA.

6. S6 Sideboard by Anderson Furniture

Another gorgeous design from byKATO, here's an storage solution that's not only innovative and practical, but exudes character and charm; not a bad trick if you can pull it off. Measuring 80cm high x 163cm wide x 43 deep, this timeless creation features a stunning laminate front in natural muted tones, situated upon a robust oiled oak or walnut shell. Subtle details such as the Brushed Brass rings upon the legs and soft-close dampers on the cupboard doors add to the luxury feel. This cabinet is hand-made to order in six weeks using traditional Danish craftsmanship techniques.

7. Color Cabinet Tall by Hay

Looking for a tall cabinet? Designed for HAY by Belgian designer duo Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen, aka Muller Van Severen, this lovely creation measures 130cm high x 75cm wide x 39cm deep. A floor standing cabinet with beautiful glass doors, this eye-catching design highlights the interplay between clean, minimalist design with the vibrance and originality of colour. Its body is crafted in organically dyed Valchromat (a unique kind of robust, FSC-certified MDF material) with a supporting frame made in durable steel. Expected delivery time is between six and eight weeks.

8. Fern Cabby by Bisley

Fern furniture is designed to enhance the capabilities of the small nooks in your living or workspace, allowing you to maximise your usable space, without compromising on style. And the Fern Caddy delivers brilliantly on this promise. Available in a selection of 22 steel paint colours, it features ventilated doors with subtle embossed branding, integrated cable management, contemporary handles and fixed internals. The Fern Caddy is 72.5cm high x 114cm wide x 40cm deep.

9. Fermo Sideboard by BoConcept

Designed by Morten Georgsen, the Fermo Sideboard's clean lines and minimalist look are the perfect way to neatly hide away your clutter. The drawers open with a push mechanism, so there's no need for handles, enhancing the minimalist feel. The bevelled edges add a sense of elegance and exclusivity, and you have a choice of two materials: matte white lacquered or matt ash grey lacquered. This cabinet measures 73cm high x 152cm wide x 48cm deep, and you can expect delivery within two to four weeks.

10. Haller Sideboard by USM

With four drop-down cupboard doors the Haller Sideboard offers a generous amount of storage, making it a useful addition to any living room, corridor or bedroom. Designed by Fritz Haller, one of the most influential Swiss architects of the 20th-century, it's is available in a series of iconic colourways. Measuring 74cm high x 152.3cm wide x 37.3cm deep, this cabinet is constructed from coloured metal panels and lock-free handles, supported by the iconic USM Haller ball, connector and tube system. It's made to order, and available of a choice of 14 colours.