Friday, October 9, 2009

Dining Room Storage Ideas

A cabinet gives you a display area and hidden storage.


Create a stylish dining room with storage solutions in your home. Storage may be open and visible or hidden from view. The main concern is finding a home for each item so you always know where it is and where to return it. Once you have designated a spot for an item, keeping the clutter under control becomes manageable.


Walls


Design your walls with storage solutions. Remodel one entire wall into a set of cabinets or shelves and create hidden storage in the walls by matching the doors to the rest of the room design. Float a storage buffet on the wall and store table linens, napkins and place mats inside. Floating refers to removing the legs and installing the buffet to the studs in the wall to hold the weight. Create a wall design and additional storage by hanging plates on the wall.


Furniture


Purchase furniture that does double duty. A kitchen table does more than hold food if it has drawers underneath that hold silverware. A bench at the table gives children a place to sit but opens up to hold their toys or seasonal items, such as blankets and sheet sets. Use a display case with a glass front to showcase china dishes, crystal goblets, and a salt and pepper collection. Use the drawers and shelves underneath for hidden storage for large bowls, vases or other items.


Window


Incorporate storage areas into the space beneath and around your windows. Run tall vertical storage units along each side of your window, and use them to highlight kitchen collections. Place little used items that may come in handy for the table on the shelves, such as vases or a gravy boat. Install a seat beneath the window and between the storage units to sit on and store items until needed. Place a shelf above the window for a collection of vases with plant cuttings.


Accessory Storage


Open storage leaves items open to view, which may not be desirable given some items. For these items, consider grouping them into another more decorative item. A collection of woven baskets looks much better and more organized on the shelf than a mismatched set of juice glasses or spices. Give a set of metallic whisks a designer touch by grouping them together in an intriguing piece of pottery. Use a set of antique kitchen canisters to hold ribbons, thread, yarn and other wrapping or sewing supplies.

Tags: hidden storage, grouping them, storage solutions, storage units, with storage, with storage solutions