 |
| From Better Homes & Gardens |
Storage doesn't just have to be practical---it can be pretty too! I absolutely adore the look of customized storage & shelving, and it's right on trend at the moment. One of my next DIY projects is going to be installing small spotlights in the bookcases in our family room, along with lining the back of the inset shelves with patterned fabric.
There are so many different ways to beautify and customize shelving and storage areas. Wallpaper (usually on the back or interior of shelves), paint, baskets, decorative knobs, crown moulding, glass doors, and adding hanging picture frames/mirrors are just a few ways to spice things up. Especially since most people feel that they never have enough storage, it's very important to make the most of what you've got! Here are some great examples that I got inspiration from.
 |
| From askdecor.com |
 |
| From bhg.com |
 |
| From hit-decor.com |
 |
| Courtesy of designsponge.com |
 |
Photo from decorpad.com,
featuring the IKEA Expedit bookcase |
 |
| decorpad.com |
 |
| Photo from fengshuicrazy.net |
 |
| Photo from housetohome.co.uk |
 |
| By M Design LA |
 |
| Martha Stewart |
 |
| Photo from paloma81.blogspot.com |
 |
| Via personalorganizing.about.com |
 |
Design by Olivieau,
photo from heartfireathome.blogspot.com |
 |
| Design by Ruthie Sommers |
 |
| Photo via simplifiedbee.blogspot.com |
 |
| From styleathome.com |
 |
| The Traditional Home online |
 |
| Via thedecorista.com |
 |
| From the IKEA website |
 |
Photo from decorologist.com,
Featuring the IKEA Expedit bookcase |
 |
| From the lifeofarealochousewife.blogspot |
I'm thinking that using a stencil to create a custom pattern would be really beautiful too.... how cool would that look on a wall behind floating shelves, or on the interior of bookcase cubes? Another thing that inspired me about these pictures is the WAY that things are arranged on the shelves. Instead of just organizing books vertically, try stacking them on their sides to create little horizontal book towers. You can use simple and colorful organizing containers/boxes to clean up the clutter, re-purpose glass and decorative scupltures as book-ends, and hang framed pictures on the shelves to dress up the storage vignettes.
