An “armoire” is a practical and stylish way to solve a multitude of storage and space issues. It is basically a large, stand-alone cabinet containing drawers, shelves, poles, or other storage devices. The term “wardrobe” is often used interchangeably with “armoire,” but a wardrobe is usually specifically designed for storing clothes.
The earliest armoires date back centuries. The name is believed to come from the Latin word “armorium,” which was a chest used to store weapons. Since then their practicality has made them a staple throughout the world. The designs and uses for white armoires are seemingly endless.
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Uses
An armoire can uniquely provide storage for any room in the house. Its vast capacity and use of vertical space makes it ideal for small spaces. Best of all, when you close the doors, the mess is gone!
Here are just a few ideas for how to use a white wardrobe armoire:
• Kitchen – linens, dishes, silverware, vases, and small appliances
• Bedroom – linens and clothes
• Bathroom – toiletries, linens, and cleaning supplies
• Garage/Shop – tools, paint, lawn and garden supplies, and recreational/sports gear
• Family room – games, books, DVDs and CDs, media equipment (TV, DVD player, gaming systems, etc.), knick-knacks, and a Murphy or fold-out bed
• Playrooms and craft rooms – all related supplies
• Home office – everything from pencils to computers
• Older structures/miscellaneous rooms – a closet space when one is not built in
• Jewelry – very small versions of armoires are used specifically for this purpose (called a “Jewelry Armoire”)
Style
In addition to being versatile, white wood armoires are often beautiful enough to be used as the focal point of a room or as a beautiful accent piece, whether you need the storage or not.
Along with wood finishes, many retailers and craftsmen offer armoires in various colors. When selecting a color, beginning with white provides a clean, crisp, elegant touch in any style. If you choose white, you can find almost any shade ranging from cream to eggshell to stark white. Each shade of white will have a difference impact on the final look of the room.
Armoire styles range from contemporary, to traditional, to specific designs such as Dutch or French. White can lend itself to almost any of these styles. A boxy white design provides a contemporary feel, while choosing a cream white and adding visible shelving or glass doors can provide a casual country look. A white finish on a traditional design can provide a “shabby chic” style.
When shopping for a white computer armoire, here are a few places to start:
http://www.jcpenney.com
http://www.homedecorators.com
http://www.ebay.com
http://www.amishwoodworking.com/pg/armoires.html
Points to Consider
When shopping for a white TV armoire, make sure it fits in the desired space. It is very difficult to see exactly how a large piece of furniture will appear in a given space, so measure width, depth, and height very carefully. Armoires can easily appear too large or too small when viewing them online or in a store.
Armoires come in many configurations, so make sure to choose one that is appropriate for your needs. Look inside. If you want to store clothes, you don’t need a pull-out desktop, a feature for which you will pay more. If you want to hang clothes, make sure you can remove shelves and install a bar. For a garage or shop, make sure the shelves are sturdy and adjustable. For the office, make sure there is enough depth to accommodate computer and other equipment.
Also look for specific details you might need, such as number of drawers and shelves, quality of pull-out shelves or desktops, and presence of built in hooks or bulletin boards. And don’t forget… you can also use the top.
Once you have your white storage armoire in place, get ready to enjoy it and the change it brings to your home. There are few things as satisfying as changing a difficult, unorganized area into a visually beautiful and inviting space. Choose white for a safe, versatile, and cheerful color. With a little research, this handy piece of furniture can make managing your life and home easier, more pleasant, and much more efficient.
The following websites provide more information about armoires:
http://www.allthatwomenwant.com/armoires.htm
http://www.oldplank.com/blog/antique-armoires-a-gift-of-extra-storage-space.html
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