Who says umbrella stands have to be an unsightly necessity that’s best hidden behind doors? Who says they have to be round? Here are some chic and out-of-the-box space-saving designs that can protect floors from wet umbrellas, are easy to clean, light and easy to move around, yet stable enough to hold umbrellas upright. Which one would you pick from the drool-worthy#DiploLustList?

Click on the names to find where you can order them. It’s mostly Amazon and Rakuten, so (usually) ships internationally.

1. AKI Umbrella Stand by B-Line

Though it comes with a Japanese name (AKI is the Japanese world for Autumn) it comes from Italian design brand B-Line. This umbrella stand is simple and slim yet very easy on the eyes. It can fit behind any door, but doesn’t have to because of its clean modern design.  

2. Smart Umbrella Stand by Yamazaki

The Smart umbrella stand, from Japanese company Yamazaki, is really very cleaver. It organizes full-sized umbrellas and small folding ones tidily with an closed from and open back. Small umbrellas are as easy to reach as the tall ones. The open-sides make it easy to dry and a removable base an easy clean.

3. Oval Umbrella Stand by Yamazaki

I’ve seen an mitation of this on Amazon and the complaint is that it is too small and topples over with a full-sized umbrella, but the original from Yamazaki should be able to carry full sized umbrellas, as well as folding ones, as pictured. I only wish the base were white instead of black.

4. Tosca Umbrella Stand by Yamazaki

This Yamazaki stand is so pretty and practical at the same time! I can imagine it in a Japanese zen style or a Scandinavian style all white home.

5. Brick Umbrella Stand by Yamazaki

Another gorgeous one from Yamazaki (last one I promise!) is the Brick Umbrella Stand. Clean and geometric, this is the very definition of store and display. Functional art pieces like these are a pleasure to  use and to look at. 

6. Poppins umbrella stand by Magis

No need to worry about placing dripping umbrellas in this durable glossy injection moulded plastic. Because of it’s triangular shape, it’s perfect for corners, but it can also standalone without a wall. It comes from Italian design company Magis, the makers of many functional art pieces like this iconic piece.

7. Splash Umbrella Stand by Plus D

This rubber umbrella stand by Japanese company +D is small but holds up to 12 umbrellas because you can put them inside and outside for dry. If you have a lot of visitors or just a whole lot of umbrella’s then this small but hardworking umbrella stand is a great buy.

 

7. Square Splash Umbrella Stand by + D 

Also from + D, is the Splash Square, which has the added feature of being able to hold a folding umbrella upright, unlike it’s predecessor. Like the original Splash, it comes in many cute colors and small but holds many umbrellas. It can hold up to 9 full sized umbrellas or 5 full-sized and 1 folding.

8. Antenna Umbrella Stand by Sieve

Space-saving yet totally chic is this Antenna stand by Sieve, another Japanese brand. It is super functional with 1) water receiving tray with non-slip lining. 2) 2 posts to hang up smaller umbrellas and 3) a sturdy steel base that wont topple despite the light airy design. 

9. Layer Umbrella Stand by Yamazaki

Another winning Japanese design from Yamazaki, the Layer Umbrella stand combines form with function. Its sleek, steel, space saving design can carry approximately 6 umbrellas.

10. Yamazaki Angle Umbrella Stand

Another minimalist Yamazaki design that is modern, space saving and very stable.  It comes in black and brown base and can cold up to 5 full sized umbrellas.

It’s no surprise that many of the umbrellas in this list are from Japanese companies, because with how limited space is in Japanese homes, they have come up with practical, space saving umbrella stands without compromising style.

#DiploTips: As expats we move a lot and we don’t know how small or big our next apartment will be. For urban nomads and today’s modern, mobile lifestyle here are some great criteria that I find useful when choosing things for our home:

• Is it well-made and sturdy enough to survive “furniture stress” in our moving container
• Does it take minimal physical and/or visual space?
• Is it modular or flexible to fit with different spaces?
• Will it look good with the rest of my furniture?
• Can it be disassembled and take up less space in our moving container?
• If not, then is it made of sturdy material that will not need to be protected by layers and layers of bubble wrap?

If you don’t have access to online stores or shops that carry these, you can also use a beautiful vase! Look for one that is heavy so it wont topple over with long umbrellas, like this gold terracotta one I had  in Jakarta. Go to a

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