Polar Bear Storage Unit Turns a Bookshelf Into Animal Art

If you just can’t bear looking at your boring square shelving anymore, then it’s time to replace it with something cool. (And it doesn’t get any cooler than the Arctic!) The Polar Bear Storage Unit makes a great multipurpose shelf for books, DVDs, and accessories. Or if you prefer something a bit more wild, you can use it as a cocktail cabinet. Because nothing says sophisticated home décor quite like storing your booze inside a giant bear.

And this isn’t just some ordinary bookshelf with a polar bear painted on the side. The entire storage unit is shaped like the animal, turning an otherwise boring piece of furniture into a pretty impressive sculptural centerpiece. FINALLY, a bookshelf that looks like it could eat you!

A Polar Bear Bookshelf That’s Part Furniture, Part Sculpture

The unusual Polar Bear Storage Unit was making the rounds in design circles back in 2010. Its three-dimensional shape was created using a series of slatted sections made from high-pressure black laminate. The pieces were designed to be assembled by the buyer, resulting in a freestanding bear-shaped storage unit.

Those open sections also provided space to stash books, DVDs, decorative objects, and whatever other junk you’ve got lying around. Personally, I’d go with the cocktail cabinet option. Nothing like asking your guests to grab another bottle of booze from the bear. Just don’t try that with an actual polar bear. Probably won’t end well.

Contemporary design coverage even reported that the sculptural furniture had appeared in upscale New York hotels. Which makes sense, I guess. A regular shelf says, “Here’s where I keep my stuff.” A giant polar bear shelf says, “I have money, questionable taste, and absolutely no fear of enormous Arctic predators.”

Of course, the real appeal is that it’s furniture you don’t have to hide against a wall. The bear itself is the decoration, and the storage is just a bonus. It’s like having your own indoor wildlife exhibit, except there’s no feeding schedule and significantly less danger of getting mauled.

We imagine polar bears can move pretty fast, but probably not as fast as these limited-edition shelves. Or at least that was the idea when they first appeared. Whether the original storage units are still available hasn’t been confirmed, so don’t go chasing one across the Arctic just yet.

Now somebody make me a penguin-shaped mini-fridge to go with it. A polar bear cocktail cabinet AND a penguin full of cold beer? That’s what I call a well-balanced ecosystem.