Decorative Chest Buying Guide

Let’s face it — no one likes clutter. It’s an anxiety-inducing, often overwhelming pain in the neck. But thankfully, adding a decorative chest to your home, whether it be in your living room, bedroom, or hallway, is an easy and efficient way to add storage and style. An accent piece that’s actually functional? Imagine that.

Choosing a decorative chest is as important as choosing any other piece of furniture in your home — it’s a reflection of your personal taste. Choose from decorative chests in a variety of styles ranging from contemporary to traditional and array of materials, including wood tones for a more natural look or mirrored chests for a touch of glamour.

Style isn’t all that matters when it comes to buying a decorative chest. You also need to consider some specifics, namely size, shape, and depth. And to do that, there are a couple key questions you need to ask yourself before purchasing — where do you plan to use it, and what do you plan to store?

Storing Basics in the Bedroom

If you’re planning to use your decorative chest for serious storage in the bedroom, make sure to choose one with drawers deep enough to do you some good. Generally, dresser drawers should be between 12-18 inches deep. Any shallower and drawers could fall out when you pull them toward you. Any deeper and you risk losing items in the back. You’ll also need to take into account what you plan to store. Smaller drawers will suffice for smaller items such as socks, undies, and jewelry, but if you need storage for larger items, like sweaters and pants, choose a decorative chest with larger drawers, like a 3- or 4-drawer cabinet. Shorter, wider decorative trunks are another great bedroom addition. These sturdy options offer even more storage and can be easily placed at the foot of your bed to provide extra seating. A stylish decorative trunk is a great way to store bulky items, like out-of-season clothing and extra bedding.

Helpful Hallway/Entryway Storage & Display

If you’re using your decorative cabinet in a hallway or entryway, you can opt for a slightly shallower option. After all, you don’t want to be running into it every time you open the door or walk down the hall. Given that you’ll likely need less storage if this is your intended usage, just make sure to choose a model deep enough to hold your house keys and mail when you come in the door. And don’t forget to make sure your chest is shallow enough to actually allow your front door to open. If you’re a bit, shall we say, clumsy, choosing a shape with rounded edges might also be ideal for hallway or entryway usage in order to help cushion the blow.

A Lovely Addition to the Living Room

You can also choose to use your decorative chest in your living room as a unique entertainment center or TV stand. If that’s your plan, make sure to check the dimensions of any electronic components you plan to place on or in the chest, including your television, DVD or Blu-ray player, and gaming system. You’ll also want to choose a chest with enough storage space for movies and other accessories and to hide unsightly cords and cables from view. And don’t forget about height. If you plan to use your decorative chest as a modified entertainment stand, you’ll want one that places your TV in your line of sight when you’re sitting down. If you really want to spice up your living room, consider using a decorative chest or trunk as a one-of-a-kind coffee table. Choose a trunk low enough to the ground that it’s easy to see over when you're seated, and add a distinctive tray complete with coffee-table books, vases, and other interesting elements to the top as a focal point. As an added bonus, decorative trunks make ideal homes for extra blankets, spare remotes, and other movie-night supplies.

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Decorative Chest Buying Guide

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