Storage Decor is defined simply as something that has a dual purpose: it is beautiful to look at and provides storage.

We have a modest sized house so storage needs to be creative.  Old furniture has new uses.

My first example are antique washstands. You can find them almost anywhere. I see them all of the time in Chester County. I’ve seen them in barns, I’ve seen them at garage sales, I’ve seen them at tag sales I’ve seen them at resale shops, I’ve seen them at antique stores, and vintage repurposing stores. 

I have two washstands.  They have been handed down in my family and they aren’t particularly fancy and they are definitely more country pieces. Their value is sentimental. They came from my grandmother’s family in Lancaster County.

Anyway, one washstand is in my dining room and it is storage for glassware, table linens,  and taper candles.  The other washstand is in my bedroom and I use it to act as a vanity table on top and in the storage area it’s a great place for scarves and stockings and purses.
 I love the old wood of these washstands.  But I have also seen them painted where they look very pretty as well. I’ve also seen people actually cut a hole in the top of these washstands for a modern basin in a powder room.  I have seen people use them as hall tables too. 

My other favorite of country storage decor are trunks. Old steamer trunks and simple country wooden trunks with hinged lids. Old blanket chests.

I have a few of these trunks and none of them are hiding in the attic. I use them as decorative furniture pieces as well as for the practical purposes of storage for which they were intended.  

When it comes to these trunks I love the patina of the old wood. I would never paint them. I know people who love to paint any piece of wood they own, but when it comes to these old trunks their real beauty I think  is in their scars and wounds of their age.

The trunks I own are simple country pieces. I oil the wood regularly and the patina is so lovely. And old trunks are terrific storage pieces also. When I lived in an apartment I also used trunks for storage and decor.

I see a lot of these pieces I like regularly at places like the Smithfield Barn and Resellers and ConsignIt , Facebook yard sale group pages, just to name a few places.  And you definitely don’t have to break the bank to acquire one of these pieces.

Don’t be afraid to bring home a dusty old piece and make it your own in your house. You’ll be glad you did!

Thanks for stopping by .