by GraceAnn Simoni

Once again, today we are joined by Contributor GraceAnn Simoni, a Redesign Specialist and Instructor from the Chicagoland area. GraceAnn shares with us budget tips and advice for decorating with your existing furniture and accessories.

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So you have made the decision to purchase that wide screen or plasma TV, what becomes of the entertainment center or armoire that used to house the old TV?

Let redesign and thinking ‘out of the box’ help you repurpose that used piece of furniture. With some simple alterations it can be transformed to serve in a variety of ways in a variety of rooms. Here are a few examples. Enjoy.

An armoire can be a great value in home furnishings as a versatile piece of furniture making itself at home in nearly any room of the house. Armoires can be:

• A Focal Point
• A Storage Solution
• A Home Office
• An Entertainment Center
• A Closet
• and More…

Pulaski armoire at BedroomFurniture.com

Today, armoires can be found in many types of woods or painted finishes, in new or antique versions, so they fit nicely with a variety of different styles. Many have adjustable interior fittings as well to make them versatile.

Office Uses:

Home Office — Fit an armoire with a computer, (you can purchase drawer slides to use for the computer pull-out) a printer, and fax machine, and you’re set to get to work anytime the doors are open. When you’re done, just close the clutter behind the doors.

Additional Storage — For offices without closets an armoire can be a great place to store files, office supplies, books and catalogues, in my case a lot of paint samples.

Espresso armoire from Overstock.com (left) and LC Kids armoire from BedroomFurniture.com (right)

Dining Room Uses:

China and Linen Storage — An armoire is a perfect piece in a dining room. Add extra shelves and use it to store table linens, holiday dinnerware, serving pieces, and seasonal items. Or convert the doors to glass doors for display items.

Family Room Uses:

Audio/Video Storage — An armoire/ entertainment center might be the perfect place to stash all your home audio equipment.

Homework Help Center — Keeping an armoire full of the supplies kids need for school, including reference books, notebooks, paper, pens, report covers, dictionaries, maps, and more can be easily organized and ready for the busy students in your home.

Game Center — If your family loves games, then this is the spot to store all the game pieces, boxes, boards, and stuff. Separate each type of game into plastic storage boxes to keep pieces together.

Music Cabinet — If you play an instrument you’ve probably accumulated many books, sheet music, supplies, traveling cases, and more. Let an armoire hold everything you need on one place – including the musical instruments.

Tahoe Collection armoire at BedroomFurniture.com

Bedroom Uses:

Clothing Storage — Place an armoire in a bedroom and fill its shelves and drawers with clothing and accessories.

Guest Closet — If your guest room closet is already packed full with your own belongings, then provide some hanging space for guest inside an armoire (see top photo). Also include a basket of toiletries, extra pillows and linens, a few books, and other amenities.

Children’s Room — Kids and baby clothes are perfect for armoire storage. Items can be hung or folded at your eye level, yet be out of reach as toddlers start walking.

Storage Uses:

Mud Room — An armoire can be the perfect place to store shoes, school supplies, mittens, hats, sports equipment, umbrellas, and backpacks.

Perri Kersh of Neat Freak Professional Organizing made a mudrooom for storage out of this armoire. Photo by Perri Kersh.

Bathrooms — Bathrooms with extra floor space may be the perfect spot for an armoire. It can hold towels, soaps, cosmetics, robes, slippers, manicure supplies, and more.

Hobby Storage — Most craft, sewing, and hobby supplies will fit well into an armoire. Install hooks or peg racks on the doors for added storage.

Sauder craft storage armoire at Amazon.com

IKEA Hacker reader Kimberly fashioned this craft storage armoire. Photos by Kimberly.

Memory Armoire — Organize your photo albums, scrap booking supplies, and memorabilia in an armoire in a family room or guest room.

Gift Closet — Use an armoire to hold gift-wrap items and gifts that are purchased in advance. Drawers can store tissue paper, gift-wrap rolls and ribbons, and the shelves can hold boxes of gift bags, bows, gift boxes, and other decorative trims.

GraceAnn Simoni of Yours Redesigned Naperville, IL, is a Redesign Specialist and Instructor, and a member of Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (I.R.I.S.). If you need help getting the The Home You Want With the House You Have™ visit www.yoursredesigned.com.

How have you used an armoire for organizing in your home? Share your photos with us.