Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

Compact and Versatile: MetMo’s Multi Drive Pen Replaces Your Entire Toolkit

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The Pen might be mightier than the Sword… but the MetMo Multi Drive is mightier than pens, pencils, swords, scalpels, screwdrivers, and even drills. The sleekest multitool from MetMo’s lineup, this pen-shaped device lets you swap out graphite leads for a whole variety of other instruments, from scalpel tips to hex-bits or even drill bits. It gives you every conceivable tool in the format of an easy-to-use, comfortable-to-hold pen, replacing your entire toolkit with something so sleek yet so versatile, that you’ll want to carry it everywhere. After all, that’s what EDCs are all about, no?

Designers: Sean Sykes & James Whitfield

Click Here to Buy Now: $108 $120 (10% off). Hurry, only 2/525 left! Raised over $425,000.

With the attitude of a fancy metal stylus, the MetMo Multi Drive puts a toolshed in your palms. It looks like a pen, feels like a pen, and is designed to be held like a pen too… but features a machine collet system on the inside that lets you add modules to your EDC’s body. The Multi Drive comes with an endless list of instruments that lock into its sleek body – from 3mm graphite leads (the kind you’d use in mechanical pencils) to hex bits, metal scribes, scalpel blades, needle files, grease leads (for writing on a variety of surfaces), and even a tungsten-carbide mini drill bit.

Knife, Pencil, Scribe, Drill, File and Micro Driver.

The MetMo Multi Drive takes the compact comfort of writing tools and brings EDC tools to it. A versatile gizmo, it lets you write, sketch, cut, carve, drill, file, assemble, and disassemble, all within its small format. It’s difficult to think of who the Multi Drive is specifically for, because it has a little for everyone. Whether you’re an artist, architect, designer, craftsperson, engineer, or a maverick creator, the Multi Drive has something for you. It’s easy to use, is ridiculously compact, and in signature MetMo fashion, is made entirely out of metal because plastic feels cheap, breaks easily, and is bad for the environment. In fact, MetMo itself stands for “Metal in Motion,” underlying the company’s unwavering pursuit of engineering excellence in industrial, aesthetic and functional design.

The metal collet system, or the mechanism that loads and holds all the instruments, is a refinement of an original design from 150 years ago. With newer technologies, MetMo’s managed to scale things down massively, creating a chuck-like gripping mechanism that allows the Multi Drive to hold onto the instruments you plug into it. A two-part outer design lets you twist to tighten or release instruments, ensuring that when they’re loaded, they’re secured well… and when you’re done, you can easily swap them out for new ones. In fact, the collet is strong enough to hold weights of up to 8.1lb or 3.7 kilograms, so you know that the instruments inside are as tightly secure as they can possibly be.

While it’s easy to think of its small size as being a disadvantage, the Multi Drive’s compactness is, in fact, what makes it so great. The all-metal construction is incredibly durable, and MetMo offers aluminum and stainless steel versions of the Multi Drive, depending on what activities you’re likely to use it for. The Multi Drive also comes in distinct kits that prioritize different professions and activities. The basic 20-piece kit comes with the aluminum Multi Drive, along with graphite leads, a grease lead (that can write on cloth, glass, and even metal), scalpel blades, a flat file, two hex bits, and a metal scribe for engraving on soft metals, glasses, etc. All these activities require regular use that doesn’t put too much stress on the Multi Drive’s body. For more heavy-duty tasks, upgrade to the stainless steel Multi Drive and you can now perform more torque and pressure-intensive tasks like working with all sorts of hex bits (made from hardened steel), or even using MetMo’s tungsten carbide drills that load right onto the Multi Drive, letting you manually drill into wood and plastic with ease.

Upgrading to the steel Multi Drive gives you the option of getting its companion instruments in either a metal case or a leather craftsman pouch. The Metal Case, which is just marginally larger than a big smartphone, fits 24 hex bits, a metal scribe, a scalpel blade, and the Multi Drive itself along with a graphite lead included. The Metal Case also has an integrated graphite sharpener, and has magnets on the back, letting you mount the case on metal surfaces. The Leather Case/Pouch on the other hand has a more rustic appeal, with space for the Multi Drive, scalpel blades, metal scribe, 10 hex bits or drill bits, extra graphite nibs, 6 needle files, and some more. The aluminum MetMo Multi Drive starts at £84 (approx. $108 USD), while the black steel variant has a £109 price tag ($139 USD), and the top-end stainless steel variant will set you back £120 ($153 USD). Each MetMo Multi Drive comes with the basic set of tools, and you can upgrade your pledge to include extra tools and the metal or leather case. Do this at your own risk, you may end up abandoning all your other EDC work tools altogether!

Click Here to Buy Now: $108 $120 (10% off). Hurry, only 2/525 left! Raised over $425,000.

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Gerber Key Note is a Tiny Folding Knife with a Very Unusual Broad Blade Design

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You usually expect knives to come with elegant, long blades that let you slice across a linear edge or serrations – the Gerber Key Note shatters convention with a Tanto blade that’s wider than it’s long. Measuring a mere 1-inch in length, the Key Note’s blade might make you feel short-changed at first, but once you get your hands on it, you realize that size honestly doesn’t matter. The blade’s double-edge design helps you do everything you normally would, while giving you an additional advantage of applying forward or downward pressure while cutting. At the end of the day, a 1-inch blade means the Key Note is just hyper-compact, making it small enough to easily fit on a keychain for carrying around wherever you go.

Designer: Gerber

Click Here to Buy Now

A unique feature of the blade’s design is its two-part edge. The lower edge is short, but lets you slice with great confidence, while the upper edge is almost perpendicular to the knife’s linear direction. This lets you apply pressure by leaning in while cutting. Whether it’s pressing forward, or holding the knife vertically and pressing downward, this edge gives you the advantage of letting you combine sharp edges with brute force.

Compact and affordable (at just $27) doesn’t necessarily mean cheaply built – the Key Note comes with an aluminum handle, a 5Cr steel blade, finger-flick opening as well as nail opening, and a liner-lock that clicks in place to lock the blade in its open position. After all, you don’t want the blade shutting on you while you use the knife.

The entire knife measures 3.8 inches when open, closing down to under 3 inches when shut. Weighing a mere 90 grams (3.2 ounces) makes the Key Note rather spry and easy to maneuver, and once you’re done, either hook it back to your belt loop using the keychain ring, or better still, slide it into your pocket thanks to the integrated pocket clip.

The Gerber Key Note comes in two colors – a black handle with metal blade, and an anodized bronze-colored handle with a black-coated blade. The latter clearly appeals more to the eye, while the former is perfect for people who love sticking to tradition. The knife’s compact design and unique blade make it perfect for indoor activities like cutting wires, opening boxes, and slicing envelopes. However, the Key Note is just as efficient outside the house, letting you carve/scrape wood or even scrape a flint while starting a fire. It’s small enough to disappear into your pocket when not in use, but comes exceptionally handy just when you need it.

Click Here to Buy Now

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LEGO Botanical series to get upgraded with vibrant Chrysanthemum and Plum Blossom brick sets

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It’s difficult to imagine that 92 years ago, when the LEGO brick was first introduced to the world, that the humble piece of plastic would transform into such a versatile element of creativity. Whether it’s used to make replicas of objects, actual functioning products, or even scaled-down versions of cars and monuments, LEGO bricks have evolved WELL beyond the simple cuboid-shaped simple-colored pieces that they used to be decades ago. Heck, we’ve even managed to turn the bricks into a flourishing movie franchise!

I digress, but this is just to preface the fact that LEGO is planning on expanding its already popular Botanical collection with newer pieces that bring nature’s grand diversity to your homes. Although not officially announced by LEGO, sleuths on the internet have found images for two new additions to the Botanical collection – a Chrysanthemum plant and a Plum Blossom plant. Vibrant in color, with a beautiful balance between abstract and biophilic, these plants are a gorgeous addition to homes. They come with their own stands that let you place them on coffee tables, credenzas, or even bookshelves, adding a touch of undying plant beauty to your space. No green thumb required!

Designer: LEGO
(Low-res images upscaled using AI)

The first set, 10638 Chrysanthemum, is a delightful recreation of the vibrant flower. Despite being the smaller of the two sets at just 278 pieces, the Chrysanthemum stands tall at 26cm, making a striking display piece. Housed in a decorative pot on a stand, the set offers a surprisingly affordable entry point to the Botanical Collection at €28.95 (price and release date based on European retailer listings). LEGO enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of the classic banana brick, reimagined here in three colors.

The second set, 10369 Plum Blossom, boasts a larger build with 327 pieces. This elegant flower reaches a height of 34cm and comes in a similar pot and stand as the Chrysanthemum, allowing for a beautiful paired display. The Plum Blossom also showcases some clever part usage, with the “Angry Birds crown” element finding a new life as part of the flower’s structure. Both sets are scheduled for release on August 1, 2024.

Specific details regarding difficulty level are unavailable yet, but judging from the piece count, these sets are likely geared towards adult hobbyists or experienced LEGO builders. The completed flowers will likely rest comfortably on desks, shelves, or windowsills, adding a touch of botanical charm to your décor.

Eagle-eyed LEGO fans might have noticed hints of a potential third set in the works. The listing image appears to show two additional plants nestled amongst the Chrysanthemum and Plum Blossom: bamboo and what seems to be an orchid. While there’s currently no official confirmation, it adds a touch of intrigue to the summer Botanical Collection release.

The post LEGO Botanical series to get upgraded with vibrant Chrysanthemum and Plum Blossom brick sets first appeared on Yanko Design.

Stilform combined the Ballpoint and Fountain Pen and it’s the most minimal writing instrument I’ve seen

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After winning 13 design awards, stilform still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Its latest iteration on the ballpoint pen might just be its most audacious one yet. With a magnetic cap that pushes the pen’s refill inside its body, the stilform FLOW is part writing instrument, part magnetic fidget toy, and a complete marvel of design and engineering. Redefining the meaning of minimalism, the FLOW comes with an all-metal design that conceals the writing tip in an unexpected way. A small cap on the top lets you deploy the nib, which pops upward as you lift the cap out, thanks to magnets. The cap then docks in the back of the pen, satisfyingly snapping in. Most critics would call this a fair amount of over-engineering, but they’re the same people who now laud the zero-gravity gel pen as a marvel of engineering. What the stilform FLOW does is art bordering on magic – the interaction feels gorgeous, and is sure to elicit a few wows from people around you… but more importantly, it’s a pen your eyes and hands will never tire of. Disposable pens may come and go, but the stilform FLOW is something you’ll keep for life.

Designers: Christoph Bohrer, Martin Wagner and Yang Han

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $107 (36% off). Hurry, only 95/500 left! Raised over $100,000.

Revolutionize your writing with stilform FLOW’s unique magnetic mechanism! The retractable tip ensures your ink stays fresh, while the magnetic cap makes every opening and closing a delightful experience.

Designed to be as convenient and smooth as a ballpoint pen, but with the luxurious ink of a fountain pen, the stilform FLOW promises a unique writing experience that you clearly won’t get with other pens. It relies on an ink refill that sits inside the FLOW’s specially crafted body. Outwardly, the FLOW looks like a smooth steel rod with a stepped cap on one end. Pull the cap out and it lifts the pen’s writing tip with it using magnets. Detach the cap and tuck it into the FLOW’s back and you’ve got yourself a gorgeously minimal pen for writing, doodling, sketching, or even signing. Once you’re done, the cap pops off the back and attaches onto the writing tip thanks to a magnetic interaction. Press the cap in and the tip also retracts inwards, returning the FLOW to its ultra-minimalist form.

The FLOW’s design encapsulates ‘less is more’ beautifully. It’s complex, but doesn’t look like it, and refines a design that stilform has been pioneering for years. The FLOW’s super-sleek design features an all-metal body, made from either aluminum, brass, or titanium (depending on the variant you choose), with a cylindrical profile and two flat edges that prevent the pen from accidentally rolling off surfaces – a feature that’s become a signature detail in stilform’s pens. The cap sits on one end of the pen, concealing the writing tip underneath it while keeping the ink from drying or leaking – this detail, as minimal as it is, is what makes the FLOW a perfect hybrid between a ballpoint and a fountain pen. Gently lift the cap out, and you’ll feel the nib inside the FLOW’s body moving along with it. The cap and nib have a strong magnetic connection that allows this, while also giving the FLOW a unique fidget interaction that your hands will definitely have a lot of fun with.

There is a sustainable angle to the FLOW too – for stilform, the idea of a pen that lasts for centuries is an incredibly powerful one. Disposable pens are for disposable ideas – a great mindset is empowered by a great writing instrument. While the FLOW itself is made to be a pen worth cherishing, stilform also ensured the FLOW was machined from recycled aluminum, further helping reduce its carbon footprint. “Recycling aluminum prevents about 100 million tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere each year,” says the company. 96% of the FLOW’s aluminum body is made using recycled metal, and is designed to be further recycled when it does eventually reach its end of life. That eventuality shouldn’t come for decades, given the fact that you can easily replace refills to keep your FLOW flowing for years.

The stilform FLOW’s aluminum model has the benefit of offering anodized color finishes, letting you go beyond the simple silver-colored writing instrument. There’s a brass version of the pen too, which will patina with time to look beautifully vintage while still retaining its immaculate writing abilities. For people who believe in the best, the FLOW also comes in a titanium variant, in a matte finish as well as a DLC-coated black finish. The pen perfectly adorns tabletops and can fit into pockets too, but if you prefer something extra, stilform makes leather pouches, wooden trays, and metal vertical docking stations for the FLOW too.

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $107 (36% off). Hurry, only 95/500 left! Raised over $100,000.

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Caviar & SpaceX collaborate over $6630 Luxury Watch with actual Starship Fragment inside it

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That price tag shouldn’t surprise you, given that Caviar’s built its reputation on catering to the creme-de-la-creme of tech collectors. While most people know Caviar for its ornate smartphone cases, it turns out the company makes watches too – with the same luxury-forward philosophy. Their latest ‘Space Tornado’ collection features three watches that highlight the cosmos, but it’s the flagship watch in the series that has our eye. Priced at upwards of 6 grand (or roughly two Vision Pros), the Stargazer X-Edition watch comes with a 24k gold-plated body, a tourbillon at the 6 o’clock mark, and a relic of actual space travel at the 12 o’clock mark. Designed in collaboration with SpaceX, each watch comes with a fragment of the Starship spacecraft, carefully placed at the top of the watch as its crown jewel.

Designer: Caviar

The Stargazer’s dial takes inspiration from Jupiter’s moon Europa. The dial comes with an icy, striated finish, referencing the moon’s icy surface with a blue ocean underneath – possibly teeming with life. It’s rather poetic too, considering that the watch’s movement lies beneath this surface too. The watch sports a main dial that tells you the time of the day, accompanied by two subdials, one serving as a power indicator and the other, as a 24-hour clock. The subdials are flanked by a tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position that fervently beats like the watch’s heart… but if your eyes can tear away from its hypnotic movement, it should find itself at the 12 o’clock position.

Sitting right at the top of the watch face is a small, practically unrecognizable fragment. Taken from the Starship – the largest rocket ever flown – these fragments represent space travel, along with humankind’s indomitable spirit for touching the stars. The fragment finds itself encased within the watch’s face right at the top, and is one of three such fragments that will be found in the Stargazer’s limited edition series.

The rest of the watch boasts Caviar-style luxury too. The body is made from 316L stainless steel, plated with 24K gold. The straps are high-quality calfskin leather, and the clasp on the back is gold-plated as well. The watch also sports an exhibition back, letting you view the movement inside. Caviar doesn’t specify the watch movement, but given the presence of a power reserve, it’s probably automatic – using your wrist’s movements to harness energy that powers the watch.

The Stargazer X-Edition is limited to a mere 3 pieces, making the watch rarer than most luxury timepieces we usually see. At $6,630, it still might be one of the more affordable tourbillon timepieces on the market, and the inclusion of a Starship fragment definitely sets it apart – but then again, watches in this range can often be impregnated with moon dust, mars rocks, or even meteorites. The Stargazer X-Edition is definitely a conversation-starter if you’re a space enthusiast or find yourself among similar-minded folk. The watch, at least at the time of writing this, is still available – and if you’re looking for a discount, paying with cryptocurrency gets you a neat 15% knocked off the original price.

The post Caviar & SpaceX collaborate over $6630 Luxury Watch with actual Starship Fragment inside it first appeared on Yanko Design.

SANDMARC’s $335 Probe Lens takes ‘Shot on iPhone’ to a completely new level

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The probe lens, which became the talk of the photography town in 2018, is now going to become a staple of smartphone photography too. After seeing Shiftcam debut their probe lens for the smartphone (although it hasn’t officially been launched yet), SANDMARC has joined the ranks with its own probe lens for the iPhone. Priced at $349.99 along with the mounting case for your phone, SANDMARC’s Probe Lens promises to deliver a new perspective that gives you a tiny critter’s POV, making the world around you seem much larger than life!

Designer: SANDMARC

The lens measures an impressive 12 inches long, and comes with that signature probe-shaped design that lets you poke your camera into tiny spaces and capture things from a small PoV. Essentially, it builds itself on the aesthetic set by Laowa and Shiftcam after, and sports a wide DoF, a focus wheel, and LEDs on the front to let the lens gather as much light as possible (tiny lenses do require higher light capture because of their small design).

More importantly, this release from SANDMARC promises to change iPhones and smartphone photography as we know it. Humans are used to the human perspective, which is why we’re so enamored by drone footage. The Probe Lens brings yet another perspective to how we capture the world, and it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal to see what creators do with it.

At its $335 price tag (for just the lens), this isn’t something everyone can or even should buy. The Probe Lens is designed mainly for creatives, filmmakers, and nature documentary folks. The lens has a focal length of 16mm, a magnification of 2.1x, and the ability to focus on objects with stunning bokeh and also a wide FoV. You truly feel like you’ve been shrunk 100x and you’re now exploring the world in a new, tinier body. SANDMARC hasn’t specified whether this probe lens is waterproof (Shiftcam’s upcoming lens is), which means you may not be able to prod your lens into a glass of water, or a pond to observe wildlife inside. There is, however, a set of shadowless lights on the rim, for low-light photography, and a USB-C port that lets you charge your Probe Lens. The lens ships with a pouch, front and back lens caps, a charging cable, and even a mounting case for your iPhone (compatible with iPhone 14 and above).

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This Tiny Electric Grater lets you rain heaps of Parmesan Cheese over your Pasta and Salads

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Meet Grater Rain, the first and only handheld, one-touch cheese grater. Simply push the button and rain heaps of Parmesan cheese over your Pasta and Salads. No more workouts every time you want to enjoy your favorite cheese or chocolate on your food. The one-press electric grater lets you simply remove the lower housing from the refrigerator, attach the upper drive housing, and push the button for instant grated cheese. Grater Rain is the only grater designed to store your cheese and or chocolate in the refrigerator, completely sealed in the housing. Three grater discs let you choose between fine, coarse, and shaved grating, and all you really need to do is hold the Grater Rain over your pasta, salad, pizza, sandwich, or frankly even your mouth as the grater delivers perfect Parmesan goodness at the press of a button. Swap out the hard cheese for a block of chocolate and you can use it over coffees, desserts, or a nice hot chocolate too. The entire process takes 10 seconds from refrigerator to grated goodness on your plate.

Designer: Jimmy Olmes

Click Here to Buy Now: $139 $199 ($60 off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $136,000.

The Grater Rain automates a process that has traditionally required a fair amount of elbow grease. There was a time when whipping cream, mixing dough, or juicing fruit was done manually by hand… until the electric whisk, KitchenAid, and the blender made life easier. Grater Rain does the same for hard cheeses and chocolates, automating the process of grating or shaving just by pressing a button. The Grater Rain’s design splits into two parts – the container, which holds the food, and the motor, which gives you one-button grated food. When detached, the container should be stored in a fridge, helping prolong your food’s shelf life while giving you a convenient container to hold your cheese or chocolate. The motor, on the other hand, stays outside, lasting months between charges. Attach both modules and the Grater Rain is ready to douse your food in copious amounts of Parmesan. Press a button and it gets to work, automatically grating till you get it to stop.

Shaved Cheese!

Coarse Cheese

Fine Cheese

The lower container element comes with a nifty refrigerator-friendly design. A hollow interior lets you load the cheese or chocolate of your choice. Hard cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino, Grana-Padano, or Manchego work best, and any solid block of chocolate will work too, as long as it’s right out of the fridge. One end of the container has a piston, which interfaces with the motor, and the other has the grating plate, which can be swapped out depending on whether you want fine/coarse grating, or shavings.

Various Blades

The upper element features a rechargeable battery-powered motor that works for 3 months on a full charge (that’s a LOT of cheese). A single button powers the entire device, and to get started, all you do is take the lower container out of the fridge, lock it into the upper motor, and hit the power button. The Grater Rain instantly (and consistently) grates over your food, with an enclosed blade design that lets even kids safely use the electric grater. Once you’re done, detach the lower container and put it back in the fridge – you don’t need to clean the Grater Rain between uses, like you would most traditional graters… and when you run out of cheese/chocolate, all of the lower housing components are dishwasher safe so they can all go into the dishwasher for periodic cleaning.

Chocolate Shavings!

The entire contraption stands at 8.4 inches tall or splits into a 4.1-inch container that goes in the fridge, and a 4.3-inch motor that charges using USB-C. The Grater Rain comes with a 3-year warranty, and the company even makes electric salt and pepper grinders that let you season your food like you’re living in the year 2040!

Click Here to Buy Now: $139 $199 ($60 off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $136,000.

The post This Tiny Electric Grater lets you rain heaps of Parmesan Cheese over your Pasta and Salads first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Pearl Chandelier puts pearl-shaped bulbs within metal sconce ‘oysters’ for a grand lighting aesthetic

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Although pearls aren’t the first thing that come to your mind when you look at this chandelier, Waxy Design Studio’s Pearl Chandelier manages to weave a unique aesthetic out of its original starting point. The chandelier comes with multiple lighting elements mounted around it in a ring, creating an almost jewel-like experience. Each individual metal cone or sconce has a pearl-shaped lightbulb inside it, turning the chandelier into a necklace for your ceiling, and making the metal sconces have the concealing appeal of an oyster that just lets you peek in to see the pearl.

Designer: Waxy Design Studio

The chandelier comes in two styles – white or black, with an interplay against the golden metal color on the inside and the golden frame itself. Each chandelier has precisely 20 sconces or lighting elements, made of curved metal sheets. The light sits within the sheet, shining through the opening in the folds. It’s perhaps a very liberally abstract way to represent an oyster, but then again, the chandelier does focus the light both downwards as well as upwards, helping scatter the light in a meaningful and functional way. It does have a stunning appeal too, with the 20 sconces coming together almost like a necklace.

“Each Pearl Light unit encapsulates a delicate balance between the luminosity of the pearl and the protective embrace of metal, mirroring the relationship between an oyster and its precious gem,” says Waxy Design Studio. “This juxtaposition creates a visually striking and emotionally resonant lighting fixture that enhances any space with its unique charm.”

Meticulous attention to detail is evident in the seamless integration of the ‘pearls’ and metal components. Advanced production techniques ensure both the structural integrity of the piece and the delicate diffusion of light through the pearl. The result is a captivating play of light and shadow, inviting viewers to appreciate the fixture from various perspectives.

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Downsizing 101: How to Declutter Your Life Before Moving Into a Tiny Home

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Moving into a tiny home represents more than just a change in living space; it’s a lifestyle transformation. The idea of downsizing can be both thrilling and daunting. For design enthusiasts and those committed to creative living, this process provides a unique opportunity to curate a space that’s both functional and beautiful. Drawing from experience and expertise, this guide delves into practical, design-forward strategies to help you declutter effectively and thoughtfully.

01. Start with Intention

Downsizing requires a mindful approach, especially when transitioning to a tiny home. Begin by envisioning how you want your new space to function and feel. Prioritize elements that serve dual purposes and contribute to your desired ambiance. This step sets a clear direction and makes the decluttering process more manageable.

For instance, consider the role of each item in your home. Does it serve a functional purpose? Does it add aesthetic value? Items that meet both criteria should be prioritized. This intentionality helps in creating a space that’s not just smaller but more curated and harmonious. An intentional design mindset ensures that every piece in your tiny home adds to the overall quality of life, making your new living environment both efficient and inspiring.

02. Embrace Multi-Functional Furniture

In a tiny home, every piece of furniture must work hard. Multi-functional furniture is key to maximizing limited space without sacrificing comfort or style. Look for pieces that offer multiple uses, such as a sofa bed, a fold-out desk, or a dining table with built-in storage.

A great example is the use of a Murphy bed, which folds up against the wall when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space. Similarly, ottomans with hidden storage compartments can serve as seating, storage, and even a coffee table. These smart solutions allow you to maintain a clean, uncluttered space while still having all the functionality you need.

The beauty of multi-functional furniture lies in its ability to adapt to your needs. By investing in these versatile pieces, you create a dynamic living environment where each item plays a crucial role in enhancing your space’s usability and aesthetic appeal.

03. Incorporate Built-In Storage

Built-in storage solutions are a tiny home’s best friend. They help keep the space organized and clutter-free, ensuring that everything has its place. Custom built-ins can be integrated into walls, stairs, and even furniture, providing seamless storage options that don’t intrude on your living area.

Consider installing built-in shelves in nooks and crannies that would otherwise go unused. Staircases can double as drawers, and benches can hide compartments underneath their seats. These built-in solutions not only save space but also add a touch of custom craftsmanship to your home.

The key to effective built-in storage is customization. Tailor these solutions to fit your specific needs and the unique dimensions of your tiny home. This personalized approach ensures maximum efficiency and adds a bespoke element to your living space, making it uniquely yours.

04. Maximize Vertical Space

When floor space is limited, think vertically. Maximizing vertical space is essential in a tiny home, and it can be achieved through creative shelving, hanging storage, and lofted areas. This approach helps keep your belongings accessible while maintaining an open and airy feel.

Vertical storage can take many forms. Floating shelves, pegboards, and hanging baskets are excellent for storing kitchen utensils, tools, and even plants. Lofted areas can serve as additional sleeping quarters or cozy reading nooks. By utilizing the full height of your space, you expand your storage capacity without crowding your living area.

An often-overlooked aspect of vertical storage is the aesthetic element. Vertical arrangements draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of a taller, more spacious room. This visual trick can make your tiny home feel much larger than it is, enhancing both functionality and design.

05. Adopt a Minimalist Aesthetic

A minimalist aesthetic is perfectly suited for tiny homes. It focuses on simplicity, clean lines, and a restrained color palette, creating a serene and uncluttered environment. This design approach not only makes your space feel larger but also promotes a sense of calm and order.

Start by decluttering ruthlessly. Keep only the essentials and items that bring you joy. Choose furniture with sleek designs and avoid ornate details that can overwhelm a small space. Neutral colors and natural materials, such as wood and stone, enhance the minimalist look and add warmth to your home.

Minimalism doesn’t mean your space has to be devoid of personality. Instead, it encourages you to be selective about what you include. Each piece should have a purpose and contribute to the overall aesthetic. This thoughtful curation creates a cohesive and inviting environment, making your tiny home a stylish sanctuary. Remember, minimalism isn’t for everyone. If you can find ways to creatively (and aesthetically) store your belongings, then maximalism may just be your style!

The Transformer Table seats anywhere from 2 to 12 people thanks to a clever expanding design

06. Select Timeless and Versatile Pieces

In a tiny home, every piece of furniture and decor must earn its place. Opt for timeless and versatile items that can adapt to various functions and styles. This approach ensures that your space remains relevant and functional as your needs and tastes evolve.

Consider investing in classic furniture designs that never go out of style. Pieces like a well-crafted wooden dining table or a sleek mid-century modern chair can anchor your space and provide long-term value. Versatile items, such as nesting tables or stackable chairs, offer flexibility and can be easily reconfigured to suit different occasions.

Choosing timeless and versatile pieces also reduces the need for frequent replacements, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. This focus on quality over quantity aligns with the principles of minimalism and enhances the longevity of your space.

07. Implement Creative Storage Hacks

Innovative storage solutions are essential in a tiny home. Creative hacks can help you organize your belongings efficiently and keep your space clutter-free. These solutions often involve repurposing everyday items or thinking outside the box to find new uses for existing spaces.

Magnetic strips, for example, can be used to store metal kitchen utensils or tools, freeing up drawer space. Pegboards offer customizable storage options for everything from craft supplies to office equipment. Hidden compartments in furniture or behind walls provide discreet storage for valuables.

Another effective hack is the use of hooks and racks. Install them on doors, walls, or even the ceiling to hang items like bikes, bags, and coats. These small changes can significantly increase your storage capacity without compromising on style or space.

08. Use Natural Light to Your Advantage

Natural light is a powerful tool in making a small space feel larger and more inviting. Designing your tiny home to maximize natural light can transform your living environment, making it brighter and more cheerful.

Large windows, skylights, and glass doors are excellent ways to bring in more light. Reflective surfaces, such as mirrors and glossy finishes, can help bounce light around the room, enhancing its brightness. Light-colored walls and furnishings also contribute to a more open and airy feel.

To make the most of natural light, keep window treatments minimal. Sheer curtains or blinds that can be easily pulled back allow maximum light to enter while providing privacy when needed. This approach not only brightens your space but also connects the indoors with the outdoors, creating a sense of expansiveness.

09. Personalize with Art and Textiles

Even in a minimalist tiny home, there’s room for personal touches. Art and textiles are excellent ways to add warmth, color, and personality to your space without overwhelming it. Carefully selected pieces can reflect your unique style and make your home feel truly yours.

Opt for artwork that resonates with you and complements your overall design. A few well-chosen pieces can make a significant impact. Similarly, textiles like rugs, cushions, and throws add texture and comfort. Choose natural materials and patterns that enhance your minimalist aesthetic.

When selecting art and textiles, think about their placement and scale. In a small space, it’s crucial to strike a balance between adding interest and maintaining an open feel. Grouping smaller pieces together or opting for one large statement piece can create a cohesive look.

10. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choices

Downsizing offers an excellent opportunity to adopt more eco-friendly and sustainable living practices. By choosing sustainable materials and products, you contribute to a healthier environment and create a more responsible living space.

Opt for furniture made from reclaimed wood or other sustainable materials. Incorporate energy-efficient appliances and fixtures to reduce your carbon footprint, rely on solar energy to help save costs while utilizing renewable energy. Efficient LED lighting, low-flow faucets, and energy-saving kitchen appliances are all excellent choices. Additionally, consider incorporating green elements like plants, which improve air quality and add a touch of nature to your home.

Moving into a tiny home requires thoughtful planning and intentional design choices. As you downsize, focus on quality over quantity that will enrich your life while allowing you to turn your home into an extension of your personality.

In the end, downsizing to a tiny home isn’t just about reducing your physical footprint—it’s about simplifying your life and creating a space that reflects your values and supports your lifestyle. With these tips and a little creativity, you can make your tiny home a haven of comfort, style, and efficiency.

Also Read: Ten Things They Don’t Tell You About Tiny Homes

The post Downsizing 101: How to Declutter Your Life Before Moving Into a Tiny Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

If Peloton met Spatial Video – The HoloBike is an exercise bicycle with a 4K holographic, immersive screen

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Wouldn’t you enjoy your exercises much more if they were immersive? It’s why apps like Beat Saber and Supernatural have become such hits in the VR community, offering a true exercise experience while transporting you from your home to somewhere different and more enjoyable. Your regular home gym, Rower Machine, or Peloton won’t do that, but the HoloBike will. With a design one can only describe as future-minimalist, the HoloBike is a cutting-edge spin cycle or exercise bike that comes with a massive 27-inch 4K holographic display on front. Think gaming monitor, but powered by exercise, letting you move around in a virtual space as you cycle. You can drive on virtual highways across the outback, cruise off-road on forest trails, or even on mountain terrains like the Alps. The faster you cycle, the faster you move in VR… except without needing to wear 3D glasses or a clunky nausea-inducing VR headset.

Designers: LAYER Design & Saga Holographic

Click Here to Buy Now: $2599 $2999 ($400 off) Hurry! Discount on first 200 HoloBikes.

If you stop thinking of the HoloBike as a bike and start thinking of it as a massive gaming controller, it all makes sense. Instead of pressing a forward button or left and right to turn, you cycle and steer to progress in the virtual space. It’s an innovative bridge between the rigor of exercise and the fun of gaming and exploration, but in the comfort of your house. Most exercise equipment leaves you staring at walls or at small displays with stats – the HoloBike immerses you in an environment that you can cycle around, letting you choose your trail.

“When I’m riding outdoors, I can go for 3 hours just absorbed in that captivating rhythm of moving through space. But even 10 minutes training on a stationary bike feels painfully monotonous. That phenomenon of time dilation is fascinating. If we could tap into that sense of flow, we could create a more meditative training experience that enhances focus and endurance,” says Samuel Matson, Saga CEO and Founder.

The hyper-minimalist design of the HoloBike is thanks to LAYER Design, which helped bring a clean aesthetic to the exercise equipment, making it look like something from the future. The spin bike comes with a floor-standing design but a black and white color-way and clean surfaces. A metal disc at the back encases the gear system while pedals on the front let you move. Orange details found around the bike’s frame let you adjust its shape to suit your ergonomics, and a large 4K display gives you glasses-free 3D so you can immerse yourself in your new world as you cycle.

The technology used by the HoloBike is similar to the glasses-free 3D screens seen in some niche smartphones across the last decade (remember the RED Phone?). The bike comes equipped with a sizeable 27-inch LCD screen outputting 4K resolution – but look closer and the screen has a lenticular film on it, comprising thousands of micro-lenses that create a left and right channel for your eyes, sort of like those holographic posters or sports cards. This effectively allows your eyes to sense depth by seeing two separate images, creating an immersive world that doesn’t require glasses or strapping a headset to your face. A soundbar right beneath it further enhances the immersive experience, transporting you to a new place.

The result is far superior to some crummy game you’d play on a laptop. As much as Saga Holographics (the company behind the bike) is an exercise company, it’s a spatial reality company too – every single environment offered by the HoloBike is designed from scratch using actual photogrammetric scans of trees, logs, leaves, bushes, roads, signs, etc. The virtual world is a reconstruction of the real world, using a combination of procedural rendering and AI advancements to help render out the entire experience in a way that feels hyperrealistic.

The stationary bike comes with adjustable wheels that let you move it around your house before locking it in place.

The bicycle itself is also fine-tuned to be a state-of-the-art exercise device. You can control the dashboard using buttons on the handlebars, setting your scene and pre-programming your routine. The bicycle’s proportions can be adjusted, letting you shift the handlebars up or down, move the seat forward or backward, or even adjust the seat’s height. Electromagnetic resistance lets you mimic real-life cycling experiences like gear shifts, or going uphill/downhill. A polymer drivetrain helps enable silent pedaling so all you can hear is the sound coming from the display in front of you, and your own breath as you work out.

The HoloBike has an impressive amount of tech inside it, with an AI-ready chipset that powers the 3D VR experience, a holographic display, and all the features of a cutting-edge spin bike or exercise bike without any of the monotony of regular home gym equipment, or the sneaky monthly fees of a Peloton. At $2599, it prices itself in the same Peloton category too, albeit with a minimalist design that grabs eyes, and a holographic display that grabs minds. Your exercises will never feel this immersive and fun!

Click Here to Buy Now: $2599 $2999 ($400 off) Hurry! Discount on first 200 HoloBikes.

The post If Peloton met Spatial Video – The HoloBike is an exercise bicycle with a 4K holographic, immersive screen first appeared on Yanko Design.