Honestly, walking into a high-end furniture showroom can feel a bit like visiting a museum where you aren't allowed to touch anything. Everything is expensive, everything is heavy, and most of it is designed for a house much bigger than the one you actually live in. But then, usually tucked in a corner or sitting next to a massive sofa, you see it. The Kartell Componibili storage unit. It’s round. It’s plastic. It’s got those little sliding doors that make a very specific click-clack sound when you open them. And somehow, despite being designed back in the sixties, it still looks like something from the future.
Anna Castelli Ferrieri was a genius. Let’s just put that out there. When she designed this for Kartell in 1967, she wasn't just trying to make a pretty nightstand. She was experimenting with ABS plastic, a material that was relatively new to the furniture world at the time. She wanted something modular. Something that could move. Something that didn't care if it was in a bathroom, a bedroom, or a messy creative studio.
It’s one of those rare objects that actually lived up to the hype.
The weird history of the Kartell Componibili storage unit
You have to realize that back in the late 60s, furniture was mostly wood. It was static. It was "fine dining" and "sitting rooms." Then comes Ferrieri, who was actually the first woman to graduate from the Milan Polytechnic with a degree in architecture. She wasn't interested in making a heavy mahogany wardrobe that would stay in one place for forty years. She wanted something that fit the "nomadic" lifestyle that was starting to emerge.
The Kartell Componibili storage unit was originally called the "Mobili 4970/84." Not exactly a catchy name. But the concept was radical: a stackable, cylindrical system that required no screws or glue. It just fit together.
Why the circle matters
Most furniture is square. Your walls are square. Your bed is square. Your desk is square. When you throw a round object into a room full of right angles, it softens everything. It’s a visual break. But practically speaking, the round shape of the Componibili means it fits into those awkward, tight corners where a square cabinet would just feel bulky.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York didn't just put it in their permanent collection because it looks cool. They put it there because it represents a massive shift in how we think about mass production and domestic life. It was the first modular furniture system made of a single material. No complicated assembly instructions. No missing hex keys. Just a solid piece of design that works the second you take it out of the box.
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Is it actually useful or just a "design" thing?
Look, I’ve owned a few of these over the years. Some people complain that the plastic can scratch. And yeah, if you’re sliding a heavy ceramic lamp across the top of a glossy black one, you’re going to see some marks. That’s just physics. But in terms of actual daily utility? It’s hard to beat.
Most people use the two-tier or three-tier versions as nightstands. They’re the perfect height for a standard mattress. The sliding doors are the real MVP here because they don't swing out into your space. If you have a tiny apartment where every square inch of floor space is a battleground, not needing clearance for a cabinet door is a game-changer.
Where it actually works best
- The Bathroom: This is where the ABS plastic shines. It doesn't warp in humidity. It doesn't rust. You can shove all those ugly shampoo bottles and half-used tubes of toothpaste behind the sliding doors and suddenly your bathroom looks like a boutique hotel.
- The Office: It’s great for hiding cables or stashing reams of paper.
- The Nursery: No sharp corners. That’s a big deal when you have a toddler who thinks running headfirst into furniture is a hobby. Plus, you can literally wipe it down with a damp cloth when they inevitably decide to use it as a canvas for their "crayola period."
There is a downside, though. The classic versions don't have holes in the back for cables. If you want to use it to charge your phone or hide a power strip, you're going to have to get creative or look at some of the newer "Bio" or recycled versions that Kartell has been rolling out lately.
Sorting through the different versions
Kartell is pretty smart. They know that a design from 1967 needs a little bit of a refresh every few decades to keep people interested. You can’t just sell the same white plastic cylinder forever. Well, you can, but why not make it in gold?
Currently, you can find the Kartell Componibili storage unit in a dizzying array of finishes. There’s the classic gloss (white, black, red, silver). Then there’s the "Precious" collection, which features metallic finishes like gold, copper, and chrome. These are flashy. They’re definitely a statement piece. If your vibe is "minimalist monk," stay away from the gold. But if you want something that looks like a piece of jewelry for your living room, they’re stunning.
The push for sustainability
The "Componibili Bio" is an interesting move. It’s made from a bioplastic derived from agricultural waste. It has a matte finish that feels a bit more "earthy" than the original shiny ABS. Honestly, it’s a good response to the "plastic is bad" narrative. Kartell is trying to prove that high-end design can be durable and eco-friendly without losing the aesthetic that made it famous in the first place.
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Then you have the Recycled version. It’s made from industrial scraps. It only comes in a few colors, but it’s a bit more "guilt-free" for the modern consumer.
Spotting a fake (Because they are everywhere)
Because the design is so iconic and, let's be honest, it's essentially a plastic tube, there are thousands of knock-offs online. You’ve seen them on Amazon and Wayfair for $40.
How do you tell the difference?
First, look at the doors. On a real Kartell, the sliding mechanism is smooth. It doesn't jump the track. On the cheap versions, the plastic is thinner, and the doors often feel "scratchy" when you move them.
Second, check the brand mark. A genuine Kartell Componibili storage unit will have the Kartell logo and Anna Castelli Ferrieri’s name embossed into the base. If it’s blank, it’s a fake.
Third, the color. Kartell’s white is a very specific, slightly creamy white (unless you get the optic white). Cheap knock-offs often have a weird blueish tint to the plastic that makes them look, well, cheap.
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Does it matter? If you just want a plastic bin for your garage, get the fake. But if you care about the history and the resale value—and yes, these things hold their value surprisingly well on the vintage market—buy the real thing. A vintage 1970s Componibili in a rare color like orange or olive green can sell for hundreds of dollars more than the original retail price.
Why people get frustrated with them
I'm not going to sit here and tell you it's the perfect piece of furniture for everyone. It has quirks.
For one, the storage space inside is circular. If you're trying to store a lot of square books, you're going to have a lot of "dead space" around the edges. It’s not the most efficient use of volume for library-style storage.
And then there's the dust. The little finger-hole handles? Dust magnets. You’ll find yourself sticking a Q-tip in there every once in a while to clean them out.
But these are small gripes. Most people who buy one ended up buying three. You start with one in the bedroom, then you realize it would be perfect for the guest towels, and then suddenly you're stacking them in your home office.
Practical steps for choosing your first one
If you're looking to add a Kartell Componibili storage unit to your home, don't just buy the first one you see on a mood board. Think about how you actually live.
- Measure your height needs: The two-tier is 40cm tall. The three-tier is 58.5cm. If you have a platform bed, the two-tier is perfect. If you have a traditional mattress and box spring, the two-tier will feel like it's sitting on the floor. Go for the three-tier.
- Consider the finish: The matte "Bio" versions hide fingerprints much better than the glossy black or metallic versions. If you have kids or a dog that likes to "investigate" furniture with its nose, go matte.
- Check for the "top": Some older modular versions require you to buy a separate top lid. Most modern "pre-assembled" sets (the ones most people buy) come with the top built-in. Just double-check the listing so you don't end up with a tube that has an open top.
- Buy from reputable dealers: Sites like Design Within Reach, Connox, or Lumens are safe bets. If you're buying used on eBay or 1stDibs, always ask for a photo of the stamp on the bottom.
The Componibili isn't just a "storage unit." It’s a bit of design history that you can actually afford. It’s a rare example of 1960s optimism that still feels relevant in 2026. Whether you're using it to hide your skincare routine or just to give your room a bit of Italian flair, it does its job without demanding too much attention. And in a world of "fast furniture" that falls apart if you move it across the room, there's something genuinely comforting about a solid piece of plastic that’s been around longer than most of us.
Invest in the three-tier white version if you're undecided. It’s the classic for a reason. It works in literally any room, with any decor style, from mid-century modern to ultra-contemporary. Once you have it, you'll probably wonder why you spent so long looking at boring wooden nightstands.