Homes today are so much more stylish and well-organized than they were in years past. Everyone wants a space that looks neat and orderly but also has plenty of room for the items they love.
The best way to keep rooms tidy is to ensure everything can be tucked away out of sight. Investing in a few key storage pieces will make this a breeze.
Here are a few room-by-room suggestions to help you keep clutter at bay. They also happen to be stylish pieces that look great!
LIVING ROOM, ENTRYWAY, MUDROOM
Baskets
Baskets not only add storage, they bring texture and warmth to a space too. They are the perfect catch-all for blankets, throw pillows, or books and magazines. They make excellent homes for potted plants as well and can hide unsightly draining trays. It’s easy to find one (or several) to complement your décor and if you need more than one, feel free to mix and match.
Some are conveniently sold in sets of two, taking the guesswork out of the equation. The Parrish basket is especially handsome, a two-tone natural jute and braided blue cotton that looks striking, yet is neutral enough to suit any décor. It’s available in other colour variations as well (natural/charcoal, natural/white, natural/black). One basket is large, the other small, and both are lightweight and have handles.
The Winwich basket is antique white and light brown, woven of natural water hyacinth. It makes a great catch-all for those items you need to stash away quickly; picture it in an entryway, mudroom or family room. The Eider basket is another braided beauty—it comes in navy/white, pink/white, and black/white combinations. It has a cottony texture, braided rope-like handles and is handcrafted.
Benches
Storage benches are dual-purpose pieces that are great in entryways, mudrooms and living rooms (even bedrooms). They offer additional storage space in the places we tend to need it most, where there are shoes, mittens and hats to deal with.
The Bevinfield hall tree with storage bench solves multiple problems at once. It offers hanging storage for coats and bags, a rack for hats and mittens, a bench for seating while you put on your shoes, and a rack to stow your footwear off the floor.
The Briarson storage bench is modern and elegant—a stylish addition to any room. You could never tell by looking at it that also offers hidden storage, which you can use to tuck smaller items away out of sight. It has a tufted seat cushion, a hinged seat, raised edges and light brown wood legs.
DINING ROOM
A serving cart is always a handy piece to have around—all the more so because it’s portable.
The Kailman serving cart makes for the perfect bar cart and has a subtle glamour that would suit even the fanciest dinner parties. The elegant gold finish and two mirrored glass shelves show off whatever you place on it—whether that’s cocktail ingredients, seasonal decorative displays or a collection of small plants. Because it is on casters, you can move it easily from room to room, so it doesn’t have to live in one spot all the time. There’s no reason it couldn’t serve as a striking bedside table in the bedroom, as an accent table in the living room or as an extra surface in the kitchen.
BEDROOM
Accent cabinets
Accent cabinets work well in any room in your home. If you could use a bit more storage and don’t have the space (or the desire) for a large, full-size dresser, consider an accent cabinet. Because of their smaller size, they’re less imposing and don’t have a large footprint. Many are so stylish they could even be used as bedside tables—and they’d never get cluttered, thanks to the built-in storage shelves. Tuck one into a corner and top with a lamp or feature it prominently under a piece of your favourite photo or piece of art.
The Nalinwood accent cabinet comes in a bright and cheery teal as well as a sleek black. It has two doors with a lattice door front and clear inset glass. You can adjust the shelf to suit your needs and style the contents, showing off what you’re storing.
Even the Lenston accent cabinet would make a smart addition to a bedroom. It could store books, clothes, accessories or cherished objects, and look elegant and streamlined. The exterior is black, but the interior is painted a warm gray, a combination that works well in a number of modern colour palettes. It includes three adjustable shelves and a pullout, soft-close drawer.
Of course, accent cabinets are perfect for living rooms, family rooms and dining rooms too.
Chests and dressers
While chests and dressers with mirrors are standbys in any bedroom, you certainly can’t beat them for their storage capabilities. If you have the space, you’ll be grateful for the deep drawers and extra surface area.
The Willowton chest is a small space solution that has a whitewashed finished and gives off coastal vibes. It has a unique plank-style top and a driftwood look that suits any lighter-hued décor. There are companion pieces in this line as well, including a nightstand, a dresser and a dressing chest.
The Ralinski dresser is a contemporary piece with a warm gray finish. It is clean-lined, with large, pewter-tone handles, and offers six smooth-gliding drawers, each lined with a faux linen, ideal for storing your best sweaters and finest knits.
All of the pieces listed above are versatile and would look fantastic anywhere you place them. Don’t be too mindful of the rules when it comes to decorating your home—if you love a piece, find a place for it, and use it to store your cherished belongings.
Ashley HomeStore North offers a wide range of storage solutions for every room of your home.
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