Furniture that Keeps the Lid on Clutter
Today, the home represents more than just a place to crash at the end of the day. For many people, home is their favorite place to relax and unwind, read, meditate, entertain family and friends, exercise, watch TV, play on the computer, and of course, sleep. But because it serves so many functions (and especially if you have a large family), the home can quickly become cluttered and chaotic.
Arguably the most important thing you can do to create a stylish (and functional) space is to buy quality furniture that is not only good-looking and durable, but works with your lifestyle as well. Today's home furnishings offer lots of options to help you clear up clutter and store as much as you can out of sight, which will make your home appear more peaceful and roomy.
Go vertical! When square footage is at a minimum, look up! It may seem counterintuitive to buy bigger furniture in a small space, but one effective piece of furniture can take the place of a lot of small pieces taking up valuable room. Instead of using a small TV stand in your family room, go for a large, wall-unit entertainment center that will beautifully frame your television and smartly stow your DVDs, gaming equipment, books, and various A/V components all in one place.
If you have a projection screen instead of a regular-sized television, consider adding tall bookshelves on either side of the screen or along the side walls to neatly organize all your entertainment components.
If you have a TV in your bedroom, invest in a piece of furniture that will support and display your TV proudly and provide storage solutions as well. TV consoles are available in a variety of styles and finishes to coordinate with your bedroom furniture, and many have drawers and cabinets below for components, DVDs, and other items you want to keep tucked away. If you want to hide the TV when it's not in use, some consoles have a "power lift" feature that raises the TV out of the console at the touch of a button, then lowers it back inside to keep your flat panel TV safe and dust-free.
Invest in a bed with storage options. The bed is obviously the biggest piece in any bedroom, so if clutter is a concern, choose one that has built-in storage options! Today's options aren't just for kids' rooms, either. Many bed frames combine clean, modern lines and lots of storage space for shoes, blankets, extra pillows, magazines, toys, or anything else you want to keep off the floor. Whatever you choose, make sure you pick a frame that is not only stylish, but also well made. Invest in one that will hold up after many years of use.
If a new bed frame is not an option, consider buying several simple, shallow baskets that slide under the bed to store shoes, handbags, out-of-season clothes, and other items.
Similarly, your other bedroom furnishings, such as dressers and armoires, should help you organize your belongings effectively. If your bedroom is small, invest in a taller piece of furniture that maximizes the amount of storage available within its space in the room. You might also consider a tall bookshelf that can be outfitted with baskets, cabinets or drawers to organize everything from magazines to photos to extra socks.
Don't forget tables and other furnishings. Side tables and nightstands are very functional pieces to have throughout the home. Not only can they serve as a place to set up lamps and decorative items, but many tables have drawers and/or cabinet doors to hide books, magazines, lotions, pens, toys, and much more. Additionally, look for coffee tables that provide storage or shelving within them; similarly, ottomans of various sizes can serve as extra table space or seating, and many open up to store blankets, toys, or magazines.
