Interior Design
10 Charming Repurposed Storage Solutions
Storage comes in all shapes and sizes like these out-of-date storage units that have been turned into stunning features
Storage is increasingly essential as we accumulate more belongings, yet like to keep things out of the way. But why not get creative with your storage solutions and repurpose old cabinets, lockers, drawers and files that have, for the most part, become obsolescent or outmoded. Here are 10 storage solutions that have gone from old-school to totally cool.
2. Metal locker
A locker is a narrow storage compartment commonly found in large numbers in public places such as train stations, schools and work environments, but retro versions also work well in the home. They vary in size, which means they also can vary in purpose, if reused. Here, two small grey lockers from yesteryear are used as bedside tables
A locker is a narrow storage compartment commonly found in large numbers in public places such as train stations, schools and work environments, but retro versions also work well in the home. They vary in size, which means they also can vary in purpose, if reused. Here, two small grey lockers from yesteryear are used as bedside tables
A taller unit housing five lockers is the epitome of industrial chic in this kitchen. It provides additional cupboard space and its patina blends beautifully with the wooden floors.
3. Apothecary chest
Apothecary chests have numerous pull-out drawers and were used by the predecessors of modern pharmacists and doctors to store their medicines, herbs and remedies. The chests were often carried house to house, or mounted on the wall, as this one is. It serves as a commode or sideboard in the living room, with a top surface for display and plenty of drawers for storing odds and ends. In Singapore, look for old Chinese medical hall cabinets.
Corner the market on extra storage
Apothecary chests have numerous pull-out drawers and were used by the predecessors of modern pharmacists and doctors to store their medicines, herbs and remedies. The chests were often carried house to house, or mounted on the wall, as this one is. It serves as a commode or sideboard in the living room, with a top surface for display and plenty of drawers for storing odds and ends. In Singapore, look for old Chinese medical hall cabinets.
Corner the market on extra storage
4. Library card catalogue
The once ubiquitous library card catalogue has become obsolete as our libraries have moved to digital catalogues in recent decades. The library card catalogue is easily recognisable for its standardised drawers that fit library cards, with name plates to identify the alphabetised cards inside.
This robust wooden library card catalogue is in a home in The Netherlands, and it even had old filing cards from 1910 still in it when the owners bought it.
The once ubiquitous library card catalogue has become obsolete as our libraries have moved to digital catalogues in recent decades. The library card catalogue is easily recognisable for its standardised drawers that fit library cards, with name plates to identify the alphabetised cards inside.
This robust wooden library card catalogue is in a home in The Netherlands, and it even had old filing cards from 1910 still in it when the owners bought it.
With an ample number of small drawers, library card catalogues are ideal at the entry of a home where keys and other essential items are stored.
The owners of this vintage library card catalogue restored the unit and added hairpin legs that match the gold name plates on each drawer.
The owners of this vintage library card catalogue restored the unit and added hairpin legs that match the gold name plates on each drawer.
This library card catalogue has been painted white with black name plates to suit the country feel and colour palette of the home.
Trunks, Crates and Sewing Machines: Set These Aside!
Trunks, Crates and Sewing Machines: Set These Aside!
5. Army file cabinet
Metal filing cabinets originated in the late 1800s to protect records against fire. This filing cabinet has metal drawers that slide in and out, and it has been placed on a timber sideboard, with a timber surface on top to warm and soften the industrial look.
Metal filing cabinets originated in the late 1800s to protect records against fire. This filing cabinet has metal drawers that slide in and out, and it has been placed on a timber sideboard, with a timber surface on top to warm and soften the industrial look.
6. Medical cabinet
This vintage medical cabinet most likely comes from around the 1940s, and provides plenty of valuable storage space in the bathroom. Cupboard doors open out and down, and a glass cabinet on top stores cosmetic essentials.
This vintage medical cabinet most likely comes from around the 1940s, and provides plenty of valuable storage space in the bathroom. Cupboard doors open out and down, and a glass cabinet on top stores cosmetic essentials.
7. Ice box
Before domestic electric refrigerators, kitchens had ice boxes for keeping perishables cool. The ice box as a furniture piece was invented in the mid-1800s and remained in production until the advent of the electric fridge in the 1940s. Ice would be stored behind glazed cupboard doors on the upper shelves, allowing cool air and iced water to flow through to the food and drinks in the cupboards below.
The Vintage Fridge Company refurbished this original Brazilian ice box and it’s now a character-filled home bar.
Before domestic electric refrigerators, kitchens had ice boxes for keeping perishables cool. The ice box as a furniture piece was invented in the mid-1800s and remained in production until the advent of the electric fridge in the 1940s. Ice would be stored behind glazed cupboard doors on the upper shelves, allowing cool air and iced water to flow through to the food and drinks in the cupboards below.
The Vintage Fridge Company refurbished this original Brazilian ice box and it’s now a character-filled home bar.
8. Trunk
The travel trunk became obsolete with the introduction of suitcases, but it has never lost its nostalgic connotations of romance, adventure and exotic travel. Today, the travel trunk of yesteryear can fill a variety of storage and furniture needs and is used here as a bedside table between twin beds.
10 Bedside Storage Ideas to Complete Your Sleep Space
The travel trunk became obsolete with the introduction of suitcases, but it has never lost its nostalgic connotations of romance, adventure and exotic travel. Today, the travel trunk of yesteryear can fill a variety of storage and furniture needs and is used here as a bedside table between twin beds.
10 Bedside Storage Ideas to Complete Your Sleep Space
9. Crates
Wooden crates can be adapted and stacked to suit myriad spaces and uses. They’ve been used above to create a wine cellar under the stairs. Left, vintage whisky crates have been transformed into a unique set of drawers.
Wooden crates can be adapted and stacked to suit myriad spaces and uses. They’ve been used above to create a wine cellar under the stairs. Left, vintage whisky crates have been transformed into a unique set of drawers.
10. Display cabinet
Cabinets with glass cases allow precious items to be shown off while still protecting them from prying hands. This vintage display cabinet adds a traditional touch to this contemporary bathroom as it houses a collection of decorative bottles.
TELL US
Have you repurposed an old object as a storage unit? Upload your photos to the Comments section below.
MORE
Put Storage Boxes to Good Use in Any Room
Cabinets with glass cases allow precious items to be shown off while still protecting them from prying hands. This vintage display cabinet adds a traditional touch to this contemporary bathroom as it houses a collection of decorative bottles.
TELL US
Have you repurposed an old object as a storage unit? Upload your photos to the Comments section below.
MORE
Put Storage Boxes to Good Use in Any Room
Once used in factories and warehouses, industrial storage comes in a multitude of styles, shapes and sizes. This industrial trolley provides plenty of storage for the contemporary bathroom and its metal grate doors expose what’s inside. Above it, a large vintage neon sign adds nostalgia to the space.