Storage Solutions for Apartments (with sucky closets)

Ahhh… I always wanted to live in a charming old apartment or home, but we all know that storage solutions for old apartments are a headache.

Well, I got it, and along with that, came 1920s-sized closets.

They would’ve been fine if it were just for me. I don’t have many clothes, but it’s not just me.

It’s also everything I need for Laurel Bern Interiors, and we decorators have a lot of stuff. While I’ve been able to pare back the accoutrements that go along with that quite a bit, I still have a good amount of necessary samples and whatnot.

I first saw my apartment exactly one year ago, and it was love at first sight.

I figured I’d find a way to solve the storage issue. As I would for any of my clients, I drew out my plans and mulled over where I would work and where I would put everything.

Storage Solutions – Apartments (with sucky closets)

The Donald Cabinet

I have spent many hours talking about my “Donald Cabinet” that I purchased from my vendor, Zentique. When it arrived on February 13, the 63rd birthday of my late brother, Donald (coincidence? Doubtful.), I was a bit taken aback.

I loved the cabinet. However, it was too dark and heavy, so I painted it. Two shelves were removed, and I had other shelves made.

I bought a lovely-to-look-at (but, crappy quality) chest to go inside where my Samsung TV sits. (Love that plasma TV!)  I keep things like paint chips, drapery rings (which I buy in bulk), linens, and towels inside the chest.

Then I got some cool boxes from One King’s Lane to go on the shelf over the TV. They, too, came in too dark (see photo). No problem. ;] I painted them, too! I painted the inside of the cabinet, the chairs, and nearly everything! If you remember, I also painted those lovely accent chairs a few months ago! Folks, if you don’t like how something looks, paint it!

My landline phone, small black-and-white Brother printer*, and other electronic stuff are in the left-hand section. The boxes hold fabric samples. (There are five boxes in all now. I got a little kitchen cabinet stand to sit one of them over the cable box!) The right-hand side of the cabinet is mostly empty. Which is good. I need room to grow! Anyway, I hope this may help anyone who finds themselves trying to find storage solutions for their apartments!

xo,

*The slogan for Brother Copiers is… “Always at your side.”

And he is…

In loving memory of Donald Irving Bern, who died on September 11, 1987