Our family room is the heart of our home all year round. Since we have an open floor plan you can see everything in the kitchen, dining room and living room. This can be a blessing or a burden. Somedays, the view is beautiful and bright. Other days, the clutter is insane and makes me feel jittery.
Since the kids have been home since March due to the pandemic, the clutter around the house has been a bit out of control. We have had bookshelves in the family room since we moved in and I used to love them, but between all the books, toys and other random items I was feeling overwhelmed in a space that should be the most comforting space in our home. I needed a better storage solution for our family room.
A few weeks into the stay-at-home order, I decided to move it all and change it. I need the bookshelves gone and the toys gone. I needed a calmer space. With so much in the world seeming crazy, I couldn’t deal with my home feeling like that too.
The process of decluttering the home
I decided to move the kids and their toys upstairs to a spare bedroom and create a playroom. We tried this when we first moved in, but they weren’t comfortable with the house at that point and didn’t want to be away from us. Now, they’re perfectly fine with being up there. So, one problem solved!
The next problem was all of my books. I like books. Tablets aren’t my thing because I like to hold a book in my hand. I love how the pages feel, how they smell and that my eyes get a break from glaring, blue light. But, I needed a storage solution for these. I didn’t want to pack them away or give them away. A lot of them are books that I love and will read over and over.
I was really hoping to find two vintage buffets or dressers even to use as storage solution. I was looking for something sophisticated and that didn’t look like just an IKEA storage solution solve with cubes and baskets. The bookshelves use to flank the big front window in our family room and balanced out the room too. So I needed two of something…
However, after a few weeks of looking, I gave up and figured I’d probably never find two of the same vintage items for the space. We all know that the point of a lovely vintage find is that it’s rare and almost one-of-a-kind.
Finding an affordable storage solution
I started looking online and found the Warwick 3 Door Accent Media Cabinet. I liked this cabinet for a couple reasons.
- Price point. I needed two of these to balance the room and provide a good storage solution for the books. I knew I could absolutely not afford to spend more than this. Still, I had a bit of heartburn even spending this.
- The Target Warwick 3 Door Accent Media Cabinet has nice, straight lines that I love.
- The weave on the cabinets made it feel like more of a vintage piece from the 60’s, even though they’re obviously brand new.
- They fit in the space. Our family room is comprised of mostly windows and I needed the pieces to be a certain size to fit between the large front room window and the wall on one side and a wall bump out on the other.
Here’s the one thing I didn’t love about this storage solution. The media cabninets MDF and composite particle board. I was really hoping to find something that was real wood. But, again, price point was really the issue there. I didn’t want to pay double at the beginning of the pandemic when everything was up in the air. And we all know real wood costs more money.
So, I bought them and set about simplifying the space.
I wish I had taken a before and after so you could see the difference. Honestly though, I didn’t think of it. I just wanted to get the clutter out. The only one I kind of have where you can see both bookshelves is this one from Christmas. And still, we rearrange the couches for Christmas so it’s not really an accurate representation of what it looked like.
Now, it looks like this, but it’s also not the same angel. Oh well!
Simplifying the space
I was able to pile my books inside both of the Warwick Media Cabinets, which you can see in some of the photos I did sort of sloppily. Note: The weave is translucent! But, they worked perfect! I was able to fit all my books in and get a sophisticated looking storage solution for the room. The kids’ books went upstairs to the playroom and now they’re all out of site with the exception of a few favorites.
I decorated the media cabinets with just a couple of plants, real flowers, a FEW books, my vintage cameras and simple, colorful prints from an old calendar. The decor on storage solution media cabinets was all free because I already owned it all.
I had been planning to use these calendar pages forever in my decor. I was thrilled I was able to add them here in time for the summer. Next summer, I might get them framed. This summer, I like how they’re fuss free with the giant clips. The calendar pages are just from last year, but I love how they add a pop of color to the room. I have an herb calendar up this year so that will be fun to use next spring too. You can find the garden vegetable calendar {HERE} if you want to create something similar next year!
As for the other items, I like to decorate with things we actually use and make useful decor. The books I actually read. I’m not really a vintage book collector because, in my opinion, a book that you’re not going to read is clutter.
The key is actually a key to one of our rooms. All the doors in our house lock with one of these keys. They aren’t vintage – and sometimes this can be annoying – but it’s part of the charm. I think this is the bathroom door key.
Now, I love the way these media cabinets look in the room and I’m thrilled with the storage solution they provide. I’m so much happier with the way my family room looks as a whole. You can see more about the whole room {HERE}. And you can see the Warwick 3 Door Accent Media Cabinet {HERE}. You can find one of their herb calendars {HERE}.
What do you think of the cabinets as my storage solution in the room now?
Thank you so much for visiting today friends! I hope you’ll come back and see what else we’re up to at the farmhouse.
TARA PITTMAN says
I like these storage solutions. They would hide all the stuff that I have in my family room.
Celebrate Woman Today says
These storage solutions make your farm house look adorable and very organized.
Pam Wattenbarger says
Your farmhouse is so pretty. I like the cabinet. It fits in well with the room and does a good job containing the clutter.
Amber Myers says
h thank you! I need storage solutions. I have lots of stuff you see, so this would come in handy 😉
Sushma says
I love your style, the farmhouse looks pretty. I can definitely use some of the ideas to implement at my home. Thanks for sharing.
Sherry says
I like the little touches here and there. Those media cabinets are a great idea for storage. It really helps declutter the space.
heather says
You have such a beautiful home. I love the media cabinet you bought. And yes, something about decluttering makes me feel so much better.
Tasheena says
I love farm house decor style. These storage solutions are pretty amazing.
Chef Dennis says
OH wow! This farmhouse is absolutely stunning. I love that cabinet you bought.
Mahnoor says
Your house looks magnificent! It’s so neat!
Jennifer Van Haitsma says
I love that cabinet! We majorly need to declutter! I would love to get something like this for our front room and living room.
Toni Dash says
I really loved this final look! It looks really neat and relaxing! Great job!
Marina says
I love these and the house it’s so beautiful.
Gervin Khan says
I love this designs, it looks really beautiful and so cozy. To be hones, I am not leaving that farmhouse once I get there, I love it so much!
Sarah Bailey says
Storage is something we definitely need more of in this home, I love these ideas for a farmhouse style family home.
Lecy | A Simpler Grace says
I love those media cabinets. They are minimalistic enough for my taste but bring a bit of warmth to the room. I love your decor style!
Kita Bryant says
That is such a cute cabinet! It really fits the farmhouse style.
Cristina says
I love the cabinets. They really fit in nicely with the rest of the decor. By the way, you’ve got a fantastic farmhouse style room.
Amber S Battishill says
Your home is so beautiful! I love that media cabinet! It’d be perfect in our basement family room!
Marysa says
I am always struggling with finding storage. I love these pieces and your decor in general. (And your pilea!)
Sher says
So organized!!! Love the idea using a pretty sideboard to hide everything!!
Jessica Formicola says
I just love the farmhouse style, and that cabinet is so fitting!
Rika Livingston says
Great tips! I really love that cabinet! So pretty!
Rika says
Great tips! I really love that wooden cabinet! So pretty!
vidya says
such a beautiful farmhouse; and love those tips
Flossie McCowald says
Oh, I know what you mean! – I always forget to take “before” pictures, too! Everything looks just great now, though – the bookcases and esp that weave-front storage cabinet are great for keeping everything you have left neat and tidy!