Imagine dandelions dancing in the breeze in a lush meadow, their spores fluttering and flying about. This was the inspiration for Beom sic Jeon and Kim Hyunsoec’s Blow humidifier. You operate the humidifier as you would water and nurture your plants.
Blow comprises of a water bowl, forming the lower portion of the humidifier. It is transparent, allowing you to view the internal components of Blow. Whereas the upper portion is reminiscent of a long dandelion with its seed head at the top, full of spores. You pour water into the little bucket as if you were watering your potted plants. The lower portion of the humidifier functions like the roots of a plant, absorbing the water in the bowl. The water is then released as steam, from the opening or the seed head on the top.
Designed after the organic form of plants, Blow can add a soft, nurturing touch to any space it is added into, functioning not only as a home appliance but as a decorative piece as well. Its delicate and minimal aesthetics can add a touch of subtle beauty to brimming home spaces and hectic workplaces alike.
Designers: Kim Hyunsoec of hs2 studio and Beom sic Jeon
This little desktop humidifier completely goes against the conventional form of its competitors, and instead features a far more unique and playful form! As opposed to vents, the mist exists through three long pipes; constructed from a flexible material, the air channels can be adjusted by the user to point in almost any direction, giving them control of the air flow!
The full user experience has been greatly considered; filling up the device is a pain-free task and is executed by simply lifting the top section away from the base. A singular, simplistic dial has been positioned towards the bottom of the base, this controls the power and intensity of the humidifier. It wouldn’t be complete without a variety of surface finishing’s and color combinations; from vibrant primary colors through to subdued, neutral tones, there is bound to be a color option to suit you and your desk-space!
Ever notice how most humidifiers on the market look futuristic and UFO-like? How’s that supposed to work with your hipster style? The Kamome humidifier looks more akin to the silhouette of a radio than an appliance. Set on any bookshelf, desk, or side table, it subtly provides freshly moisturized air. In a selection of tasteful color tones, it’s designed to serve as an aesthetic complement to your interior rather than an eyesore.
We see a lot of humidifiers here at Yanko Design, but none of them have engaged us quite as much as this little device, Rainhouse. Rather than being the generic, uninspired, boxy-shape that a lot of the conventional humidifiers are, Rainhouse injects a little bit of personality into what is otherwise a mundane device!
A transparent house is perched upon the top surface. When the device is turned on, water droplets form on the inside walls, acting as a subtle indication that the water content in the air of the real house is also rising. This unique method of visual communication adds a level of intimacy that is missing from conventional devices, and therefore making it more valued within the home.
Its compact size combined with the concealed water-tank makes it an excellent desk accessory, that subtly demands attention! With a design that’s packed full of carefully considered design features, it’s certainly a product that we enjoy!
By Tim Heffernan
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full blog on how to clean a humidifier...
By Tim Heffernan
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full large room humidifier guide here.
The latest in a trend of artistic appliances, the SOLOVE humidifier is inspired by our age-old affinity for crafted dishware and takes on the familiar aesthetic of fine pottery. Its user interface is also as simple as its appearance and features a single button and single opening in which vapor is released. More sculptural than technological, its refined look is right at home on any countertop, blending in with other bowls, plates, and serving dishes. See the how it shapes up against these other artistic humidifiers.
Let’s be honest, there is no denying the fact that the majority of us are guilty of spending a bit longer in a room than we probably should; whether this is because we are working or just having a lazy day… 12 hours is still a long time in one room. So, it’s perhaps a good idea to ensure that the environment of the room is just right… and the P&H Air Manager is here to help us do just that!
Consisting of both an air purifier and a humidifier that can operate simultaneously, it creates the optimum working environment. In addition to this, the humidifier can be separated and used independently, for added flexibility!
This is wrapped up in a design that seamlessly integrates into the furniture that surrounds it; air purifiers are large, unappealing devices that stand out for all the wrong reasons, but with the addition of customizable fabric finishes and sweeping, organic curves, the P&H Air Manager is a beautiful product!
Most products strive to be aesthetic and functional. The SanSui does both, but also has an elegance and flair to it that goes beyond being aesthetic and functional. It looks good, performs well, but ultimately, soothes one’s soul too.
A simple humidifier and aromatherapy diffuser, the SanSui comes with a hollow wooden box and slits on top, much like a toaster. Sitting within its hollow space is a diorama in felt. The felt diorama (a depiction of Mt. Fuji and some clouds) floats when you pour water into the wooden box through the slits. As the day passes by, the water gets absorbed by the pieces of felt, and released into the air, acting as a natural humidifier. The water level gradually drops over time, and the mountain and clouds descend back into the wooden box.
The SanSui (Japanese for Mountain and Water) is a functional sculptural piece that emits moisture into the air with a poetic beauty that’s unparalleled. The mountain and clouds rise from above the surface as you pour water into the reservoir, and gradually descend into the hollow space through the day, letting you know that the reservoir needs refilling. A simple device inspired by Zen practices, the SanSui calms the mind with its simple yet exquisite design. Working as a natural humidifier, the SanSui can even be used as an aromatherapy device by simply adding a few drops of essential oil into the water. As the water evaporates, the oils get absorbed by the felt and diffused into the air, making your room look great, while completely transforming the atmosphere and making it peaceful and more relaxing.
SanSui is inspired and designed with the rules of dynamic physics and utilizing absorption and evaporation to create an elegant humidifier and aroma diffuser to add some zen to any home or office space.
To Use:
Simply fill the SanSui reservoir with water, secure the felt silhouette slides onto the foam float, place the SanSui lid on top.
Then add a few drops of essential oils as needed. It is also designed as a modern ornamental piece to be appreciated as traditional culture is creatively integrated into a modern living environment.
Inspired by: Simplicity in chaos
Zen: When their team traveled to Japan in 2016, they had the opportunity to discover Zen in depth. They were inspired by Zen’s interpretation of life balance and to have dynamic in peace and simplicity in chaos. Zen philosophy inspires them as designers to discover simple solutions for today’s chaos; they want to focus on most obvious and important thing: Air.
Air: Human have been trying to make “suitable” air for thousands of years. We want to cool air down when it gets hot. We want to be warmed when it is cold. Today, we also want to have air with more moisture to comfort us.
Chaos: Our lifestyle today is surrounded by so many technologies that make life convenient but at the same time creates chaos because most of devices need to be connected by a cable. This small cable has actually restricted our life dynamic much more than we think as we start to spend more time nearby a power plug than anywhere else at home. They wanted to design a humidifier that can be used anywhere we wanted to be.
Design solution: As a design team, they spent the last 2 years observing lifestyle and developed many concepts and prototypes for a beautiful and simple humidifier solution. SanSui is the result of 2 years of research and development: a creative humidifier and aroma diffuser that can be placed in any space you like, fully powered by natural physics, regardless of the space restrictions.
Bonsai with Function
Besides functioning as humidifier and aroma diffuser, SanSui is also designed as a beautiful home decorative piece, a contemporary Bonsai with peaceful functionality.
Modern Craftsmanship
The wooden reservoir and lid are beautifully crafted from one piece of solid wood and polished to create a sleek surface.
The natural wood growing ring texture in the wood makes every single piece unique. It is coated with a high quality and food product level clear coating to protect the wood from water and moisture.
Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture to the air at home but the Pineal humidifier is one you can take to work. Most designs are powerful enough to handle humidifying large rooms or entire apartments, however, but their large size doesn’t make them appropriate for the workplace or office.
The Pineal’s compact size only takes up a small footprint on your desk yet it will provide you with a healthy zone of humidification for your personal enjoyment. Better yet, its sleek form feels more artistic than appliance so it won’t kill your workspace inspiration. Like the name suggests, it takes inspiration from the pinecone and features familiar scales that shift depending on the unit’s mode of operation. When closed, it omits a targeted spray upward. When expanded, they diffuse the mist to provide coverage to the immediate area.
By Tim Heffernan
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full blog on how to clean a humidifier...
By Tim Heffernan
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full large room humidifier guide here.
