Opinion

From the sink to the spotlight: sponges as decorative pieces

28.1.2026

Translation: Elicia Payne

Cleaning? So annoying. This is a universal truth. But what if nice sponges made it a bit more fun?

The solution to making cleaning more fun may be right under our noses – or rather in our hands: sponges. But not just any old ones, ones that are practical and aesthetic. Sound surprising? Fair enough. But there are, in fact, people who are very passionate about sponges.

A sponge story that changes everything

Take Calley Benoit Belli, whose story is told in Dwell magazine by Stephanie Gonot. Calley’s not just a sponge user – she’s a sponge collector, sponge curator and sponge lover. Her obsession began in 2014 when she moved into her own small apartment in New York. Finally alone, without a roommate, she could choose every item in her home herself, right down to the sponges.

But Calley was certain about one thing – the boring standard foam thing with a green top and yellow underside wasn’t an option. She wanted something special. Something fun. A friend brought her a colourful crochet sponge from South Korea, and that was the beginning of a love affair that has stayed with her to this day.

Calley’s sponge collection includes gems like this one: Scrub Mommy.

Sponges as a lifestyle

Calley goes as far as calling them art, not cleaning tools. Her husband even gifted her a shelf in the living room for her Scrubby collection when it was her birthday. A friend of mine, a graphic designer, also sees sponges as more than just practical helpers – for her they are small design objects. Various everyday items hang in her kitchen, often still in their original packaging, because she’s fascinated by the design. «These kind of objects deserve more attention,» she says. «They’re part of my furnishings and aesthetic, and if they complement the overall look, that’s perfect. A sponge is there for cleaning, but if it also looks good and works, it’s a win-win. I’ve bought lots of sponges in foreign supermarkets simply because they looked great – and yes, I actually use them.»

When everyday objects are made visually exciting, ...

... they don’t just end up in the back of a drawer. — When everyday objects are made visually exciting, ...

They’re proudly displayed and shared with others.

A new take on the miracle absorber: luffa design

Another example of the creative use of sponges is the project by Samer Selbak. He’s a designer who reinterprets the natural beauty of the luffa plant. The dried fruit of the luffa, which was once used as a sponge in every Palestinian household, inspires Samer to create innovative designs. He uses the dyed material to create lamps and room dividers, among other things, which captivate you with their transparency and special texture of the luffa. Both objects play with light and shadow and create a unique atmosphere.

... or a room divider. — A sponge becomes a pendant light ...

Sponges that make cleaning (almost) bearable

All of these examples show how a change of perspective can transform even everyday objects into design pieces. Sponges can be creative and inspiring. Perhaps dishwashinging sponges will soon become more than just a cleaning tool.

From the sink to the spotlight: sponges as decorative pieces

A sponge story that changes everything

Sponges as a lifestyle

A new take on the miracle absorber: luffa design

Sponges that make cleaning (almost) bearable

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