Create an office space by plopping a desk right in front of a bookcase.  Keeping colors consistent keeps visual clutter to a minimum.

I remember first seeing this picture a few years ago.  This is genius – two bookcases hinged and set in an l-shape.  Instant office or craft station that folds up to cover the clutter when not in use.  But frankly, why would you close something this pretty?

This media cabinet was created with a bunch of modular cubes.  Simply stack and create a shape that suits your needs, screw together, add some feet.  Oh, and paint to coordinate with your decor.

An old step ladder is outfitted with old iron grates to create a lovely handmade bookcase.

Need to store some ugliness in your bookcase?  Why not put some canvas shades over the messy areas?  Cut canvas to fit, leaving enough room to hem three edges and leave a 1-inch rod pocket.  Thread rod pocket with short tension rod and insert.  Messy covered!

Use lots of pretty colored boxes.  Stack them up, use them as bookends, use their color to create a pleasing scheme.  Make sure you label them so that you can quickly find what you’ve stored in them.

Stay tuned for more pretty ways to keep your spaces organized!

 Photo Credits:  BHG (1st, 2nd, and 5th), Martha Stewart (3rd and 4th),  James Baigrie (6th),  Real Simple (7th).

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Vintage luggage can be found at yard sales, antique malls, and ebay.  They come in beautiful vintage colors, instantly giving away the time period from which they came.

These sturdy pieces are great as attractive storage solutions.  You can store paperwork, magazines, paperback books, scrapbook supplies, photographs, etc. These funky orangey-brown pieces blend perfectly into my husband’s office.  They belonged to his grandfather and still bear his initials.

This hot pink case works great for dollclothes storage.  And the cool retro Barbie color works great in her room.

I stacked these two matching creamy pieces of luggage, then attached some wooden bun “feet” to make it into a side table.  I’m obviously not using it that way currently – it instead holds my jewelry in my bedroom. It also houses all my children’s artwork and school memorabilia.  Each girl has her own, but they stay together and in a conveniently accessible place for mom.

I use this large blue suitcase to store my cake decorating supplies.  The smaller one is where I keep special cards and letters from loved ones. They just don’t make this kind of luggage anymore, so savor the vintage!

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