A Story on Storage

This week it is all about storage

Storage is important & it is the difference between what makes a house messy&un-kept or clean&tidy (in my humble opinion)

Prior to the mudroom revamp we had multiple storage options in this room

a bench for shoes
(I grew up with a decans bench in the entrance - did you?)

coat hooks for coats, hoodies, back packs, ski pants, rain pants, umbrellas, hats, school artwork - but mostly coats

a side table with baskets that my dad made for us with the reclaimed annex wood

a closet with a closet organizer inside that also includes built in shoe shelves

a white box cabinet with cubbies for each of us (shown here laying on its side - I was trying a new idea out - hence why there are felt pads on the side of it - but I wasn't keen on how it looked)

so you would think I had my bases covered with all those storage options

but sadly it is always messy (I do realize my version of a mess may be different than the norm but alas to me it is a mess, and I also realize I have two little boys & living in the country)

enter in an option we located at home.depot tuesday night
(the martha.stewart line)

I like that it has a cushion on top - as the extra material I bought for the window coverings can be used on this as well
I like that there is a space above the cubbies for things like piano books, library books, school day planners, and general papers that need to return to and from school. and each of us would have their own spot - however there are not enough cubbies - so I am scheming on how I can revamp it or build one myself (or hire someone - like say our cabinet guy seeing as he is in a building mood already) or perhaps I must purchase two - that could be an option

also saw this at pottery.barn dot com

so pretty

but alas no book storage and I see myself frustrated when vacuuming around those baskets

they also have one similar to the martha.stewart bench at home.depot (grande pennies however)
and still only three cubbies - shesh

I am liking the barn board walls a lot on this last pic - how cool

so anyway - we will see - more day dreaming required for now

what storage ideas have you used and if you have seen something lately that could work at my place - do share - I would love to hear all about it

Have a great day