THE ARMOIRE RE-VISITED

Armoires have been loved pieces of furniture for hundreds of years.  Their basic practicality combined with simple to ornate style details make them an item to be treasured.  With the advent of large-screen TVs, many of us find ourselves in possession of media cabinets that no longer fit our modern lifestyle.  HomeWorx is dedicated to making our homes work for us.

Sometimes, only minor modifications are required to switch an armoire from one storage purpose to another.  Here are several ideas for re-vamping outmoded furniture into useful and beautiful members of your household.

NEW BEGINNINGS

 

Doors: wood paneled doors take on new beauty when wallpapered, stenciled or when the centers are removed and replaced with artful glass (e.g., ribbed, raindrop, swirls — the choices are plentiful).  Door interiors can become message boards, photo galleries and children’s art installations when resurfaced with corkboard, fabric boards, or painted with magnetic or chalkboard paint products.

Media pull-outs: remove pull-out shelves, if necessary, and re-install at desktop height to create a work surface.

Shelving: open armoire doors and visualize the inner space without the existing shelving.  Then, create your plan and add shelving to repurpose the cabinet to suit your needs.

Moveability: add plastic furniture movers (available in home goods departments) to cabinet legs.  Even this “non Gold’s Gym gal” can move heavy furniture with these great add-ons.

SERVE IT UP!

Entertainment storage for wine glasses, serving trays, beverage accessories and table linens is a must, but it often runs in short supply. Delicate items become readily accessible and safely stored within the doors of a home entertaining armoire.  Add wine glass racks, wine bottle rack, shallow baskets or bins for linens, stacking wire shelves to maximize storage of specialty plates and cups.  Armoires provide vertical storage space that is not provided by buffets and take up less floor space than most sideboards.  A nice solution for small space living.

HOMEY OFFICE

A repurposed armoire is a great solution to contain a home office.  Individualize your space with stylish storage boxes.  Install upper shelves to corral books and stacks of paper and to store binders of decorating inspirations, how-to guides and household data.  If you need to create drawers, install wire rack storage solutions that are typically used in kitchen, bath or laundry cabinetry.

Supplies are easy to access when stored in shallow or deep canvas or woven reed baskets.  A few desktop organizers for writing and cutting implements, plus your computer, and voila! instant home office in a small space.  Close the doors and all is tucked out of sight and mind.

HOME BAKERY?

With a fresh coat of colorful paint, a repurposed armoire becomes an enticing BAKING CENTER.  One rule of thumb in kitchen design is to create centers for baking and cooking — arranging ingredients, utensils and bakeware/cookware for easy access.  An armoire designated for baking essentials saves time by providing a place for every baker’s delight.

Maximize use of space by grouping supplies according to use, e.g. cookies, pies, cakes, pastries.  Keep large or frequently used items, such as bowls and a mixer, on lower shelves so they are easy to reach. Clear canisters store essential ingredients and allow you to see contents at a glance. Overlooked spaces under the top shelf and along the armoire’s back wall are made storage-friendly with pegboard and hooks and a magnetic bar to display recipes.

Wallpaper the interior or use vinyl decals to individualize YOUR bakery.  Use a labeler to identify compartments.  Apply your imagination and you’ll enjoy the result for years and holidays to come.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Dressing yourself takes on a sense of clothing boutique fun when all of your accessories are housed within an armoire. “Shop” your shelves and bins.  Give your special shoes their own compartment. Use bins and boxes to neatly corral belts, headbands, and other small accessories.  Plan shelving for upright purses and stacks of scarves and pashminas. Create shallow shelves to store containers of small jewelry items.  Install corkboard on the door interiors, screw in small “L hooks” and hang necklaces and bracelets.  Small guage wire can be floated on the interior of a door to display drop earrings.  A small mirror on a shelf or door interior allows for a upper style check or, if possible, install full-length mirror.

A creative use of magnetized spice tins (the small cans with clear tops) makes jewelry sorting and access a breeze.  Install the metal board to an interior wall or door of the armoire and you’ll find your beloved jewelry quickly.

LAST THOUGHTS

Pet supplies and accessories, family games and entertainment media, arts and crafts supplies, household tools and cleaning supplies — endless possibilities for repurposing a previously outmoded armoire to corral all that stuff!  De-clutter, organize, simplify and beautify — now, THAT’s making your home work for you.

Cheryl von Tress Design specializes in homes, offices, gardens and cafes.  www.cvtdesign.vpweb.com 541.899.2824