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Bedroom Storage Furniture
Starting from scratch?
Few homes, new or old, have enough closet space. But if you have the floor space, you can construct a built-in closet that looks as though it's been there from the beginning.
You can frame a closet in one of two ways: by using standard 2 by 4 wall framing and the wall covering of your choice or by installing floor-to-ceiling cabinets built from hardwood plywood or fiberboard. Both methods are shown on the facing page.
The 2 by 4 frame is the simplest to build and blends right in with the room. Cabinets, on the other hand, create a "custom woodwork" look and allow a number of design options, such as split-level compartments and built-in drawers.
In general, closets need to be about 24 to 27 inches deep inside (with the rods set 12 inches from the back wall). You can squeeze it a little tighter -- but don't. It's good to have some room around your clothes so you can move them easily.
Storage furniture: unfitted or modular?
A visit to a retail furniture showroom will unveil a surprising range of ready-made storage and display furnishings. You'll discover state-of-the-art European wall systems, Shaker-style media centers, French étagères, and many styles of chests and cabinets that can be used individually or in groupings to meet your exact needs. The quality of the piece is generally reflected in the joinery and detailing of drawers, doors, and similar parts.
You can buy storage furniture at furniture stores, department stores, and designer showrooms. Some furnishings are sold through mail-order catalogs. For complete media centers or furniture to organize electronic gear, visit quality home-electronics stores. And if you look around a bit, you can find ready-made storage solutions in other places -- antique stores, unfinished furniture stores, even office-supply stores.
It's easy to understand the appeal of a modular system. You can combine shelves, cabinets, drawers, and other components to fit your exact needs and space requirements; and when you move, you can pack up the pieces and take them along with you.
Most large manufacturers offer scores of components, accessories, and finishes. Components often include several cabinet types, a variety of shelves, several different doors, desk units, drawers, even fold-up beds. In addition, many systems offer a range of special accessories, such as record racks, swiveling pullouts for television sets, wine racks, and other helpful organizers.
Some modular systems are largely preassembled; all you do is mount the components on supports. With others, you may need to install door fronts on cabinets. Still others require that you assemble everything, even the drawers.
Manufactured cabinets
Factory-made cabinets, the kind typically used in kitchens and bathrooms, are an important option to consider when you're planning permanent, built-in storage for your bedroom.
Sold through kitchen-cabinet dealers, manufactured cabinets come in many styles, from relatively inexpensive stock modules to high-end custom creations.
Few homes, new or old, have enough closet space. But if you have the floor space, you can construct a built-in closet that looks as though it's been there from the beginning.
You can frame a closet in one of two ways: by using standard 2 by 4 wall framing and the wall covering of your choice or by installing floor-to-ceiling cabinets built from hardwood plywood or fiberboard. Both methods are shown on the facing page.
The 2 by 4 frame is the simplest to build and blends right in with the room. Cabinets, on the other hand, create a "custom woodwork" look and allow a number of design options, such as split-level compartments and built-in drawers.
In general, closets need to be about 24 to 27 inches deep inside (with the rods set 12 inches from the back wall). You can squeeze it a little tighter -- but don't. It's good to have some room around your clothes so you can move them easily.
Storage furniture: unfitted or modular?
A visit to a retail furniture showroom will unveil a surprising range of ready-made storage and display furnishings. You'll discover state-of-the-art European wall systems, Shaker-style media centers, French étagères, and many styles of chests and cabinets that can be used individually or in groupings to meet your exact needs. The quality of the piece is generally reflected in the joinery and detailing of drawers, doors, and similar parts.
You can buy storage furniture at furniture stores, department stores, and designer showrooms. Some furnishings are sold through mail-order catalogs. For complete media centers or furniture to organize electronic gear, visit quality home-electronics stores. And if you look around a bit, you can find ready-made storage solutions in other places -- antique stores, unfinished furniture stores, even office-supply stores.
It's easy to understand the appeal of a modular system. You can combine shelves, cabinets, drawers, and other components to fit your exact needs and space requirements; and when you move, you can pack up the pieces and take them along with you.
Most large manufacturers offer scores of components, accessories, and finishes. Components often include several cabinet types, a variety of shelves, several different doors, desk units, drawers, even fold-up beds. In addition, many systems offer a range of special accessories, such as record racks, swiveling pullouts for television sets, wine racks, and other helpful organizers.
Some modular systems are largely preassembled; all you do is mount the components on supports. With others, you may need to install door fronts on cabinets. Still others require that you assemble everything, even the drawers.
Manufactured cabinets
Factory-made cabinets, the kind typically used in kitchens and bathrooms, are an important option to consider when you're planning permanent, built-in storage for your bedroom.
Sold through kitchen-cabinet dealers, manufactured cabinets come in many styles, from relatively inexpensive stock modules to high-end custom creations.
