When it comes to achieving a balance of aesthetics and function in your home, storage furniture is the name of the game. From bookshelves to accent cabinets, ottomans to entertainment centers, and much, much more - there are so many different types of storage furniture to choose from. Not only will these pieces help you store your items, eliminate clutter, and save space - but they will also serve as integral components of your interior design scheme.
That’s why today, we’re going to unveil the best storage furniture currently on the market. We’ll share our five favorite styles - and explain what makes them so great. You’ll also learn how to style them accordingly. On top of all this, you’re going to discover where you can find all the best storage furniture online. Let’s start with a quick breakdown of the different types of storage furniture.
What Are The Different Types Of Storage Furniture?
As discussed in the intro to this article, there are quite a few different types of storage furniture you can add to your home. And while you may not need all five of these furniture types in one room, chances are, you’ll incorporate all of these in your house one way or another! They are our favorite types of furniture because they’re so functional and practical - and yet, they contribute so much to the design and vibe of your home. Here is a quick breakdown of each type of furniture we’ll cover today:
Bookcases/Ladder Shelves
If we had to choose one piece of storage furniture to use in our home, it would be bookcases and ladder shelves. These are one of the best choices for anyone seeking small space design ideas. They can be mounted on the wall to save floor space. All the while, they serve as functional pieces to help you store books, photos, prized possessions, plants, you name it. There are so many ways to decorate a ladder shelf that you really can’t go wrong incorporating these into your space. In fact, some of these can even be used as a desk - making them a great modern office design idea for small spaces!
Accent Storage Cabinets
Best used in entryways, living spaces, or even bedrooms, accent storage cabinets are going to offer the most bang for your buck in terms of storage capacity. They can store board games or extra blankets, glassware and dishes or anything else you want out of the way. And up top, you can display a few plants you’re proud of, family photos, art pieces, you name it. Some of these feature open shelving that can help you really decorate your space in style.
Entertainment Centers
While you may see the entertainment center as nothing more than a TV stand, these are also categorized as storage furniture. That’s because many of them feature a combination of storage cabinets and open shelving to help you organize and declutter your space. And in this guide to the best storage furniture, we’ll share a few of our favorite functional entertainment centers and media consoles for you to make the centerpiece of your living room.
Ottomans
Another item you may not have considered as a piece of storage furniture is the ottoman. These are just used as footrests, right? Wrong! Ottomans typically can be opened up to store things like blankets, pillows, games, or anything else you want within reach from the couch. These are incredibly versatile pieces of furniture that will keep you comfy while you lounge on your couch - especially if your couch doesn’t recline!
Bar Carts
Are you looking for a more efficient way to store your liquor collection and drinkware, but don’t have the space to justify a full-fledged bar? If so, a bar cart is exactly what you need. These are another one of our favorite pieces of storage furniture. One reason for that is there are so many places where you can place a bar cart - the living room, kitchen, den, entryway, you name it. And because these have wheels, you can move them around with ease. And if you don’t drink, you can still utilize these in your space - we have a blog post covering all the different ways to setup a bar cart!
What Makes The Best Storage Furniture? Our Criteria
Now that we’ve introduced the five main types of storage furniture you can add to your home, it’s time we start getting into our storage furniture buying guide. Here, we’ll break down what we consider to be the important factors you should look at when shopping for yourself. Here is our criteria for what separates the best from the rest - particularly when it comes to furniture.
Aesthetic That Blends With Your Existing Design
First and foremost, the pieces have to look good. These days the internet is plagued with all sorts of ugly, unappealing furniture pieces that you definitely don’t want to add to your home. To a certain extent, this does come down to personal preference. What you deem to be the most stunning ladder shelf or accent cabinet may differ from our pick. However, there are universal design elements that separate the best from the rest. And in this compilation of the best storage furniture, you’ll find nothing but the most aesthetically pleasing pieces.
More than just looking good, they have to blend in with your existing design - unless, of course, you’re starting from scratch. If you have a modern contemporary design, you need pieces that follow suit. The same goes for rustic design, Scandinavian design, industrial design…you get the point. Fortunately, we have pieces on this list that are sure to satisfy any preferences you have.
Functional Pieces That Serve A Purpose
Aesthetic is just one piece of the puzzle. The furniture also has to be functional and serve a purpose in order to be considered “the best”. As such, we’ve featured products that offer unprecedented storage capabilities to help you get the most out of your furniture. These don’t just look good - they’re going to help you organize your home and keep things decluttered. On this list, you’ll find the most versatile pieces of storage furniture on the market!
Quality, Durable Pieces That Stand The Test Of Time
Let’s face it - quality furniture isn’t cheap. So, you want to be sure the pieces you purchase are crafted carefully from durable, quality materials. This will ensure they stand the test of time, and last years and years of reliable, functional use. The internet can be a deceiving place to shop. While something may look incredible in photos, it can be tough to tell what you’re really getting until it arrives. Fortunately, we’ve carefully vetted all the selections on this list so you don’t have to worry about quality. These pieces feature a lifetime warranty - how is that for a testament to quality?
Pieces That Don’t Break The Bank
As we just mentioned, quality furniture isn’t cheap. However, you don’t have to break the bank to get stunning furniture that serves a practical purpose. On this list, we’ve curated the most affordable pieces of storage furniture online. The best part? You don’t have to compromise on quality. These pieces of furniture are packed with more value than any other selections out there, getting you the best of both worlds in quality and affordability.
Simple, Frustration-Free Assembly
There is nothing worse than eagerly waiting for your furniture to arrive at your door - only to end up in a fit of rage as you can’t seem to get the pieces to fit. One of the biggest problems we have with furniture is how hard it can be to assemble. From complicated manuals to improper fitting pieces, to tools you don’t have on hand - you won’t have to worry about any of this when you shop our list. All of the furniture you’re about to see below is as simple and intuitive as it gets. Most pieces can be assembled without any tools whatsoever - and all these pieces will take under 30 minutes to piece together with simple, easy-to-follow manuals.
The Best Storage Furniture Of 2022: Our Top Picks
Now that we’ve carefully explained the criteria we used - and you should use as well - when shopping for the best storage furniture, it’s the moment you’ve been patiently waiting for. We’re going to unveil the best pieces of storage furniture currently on the market. All of these pieces fit our criteria outlined above and will exceed your expectations. We’ll start with our favorite pieces of all - ladder shelves.
Our Favorite Ladder Bookshelves
When we said ladder bookshelves are one of our favorite pieces of storage furniture we meant it. In fact, we wrote an entirely separate guide on the best ladder shelves currently on the market! You can take a look if you want - but the summary of that article is that the Theo lineup we offer at Nathan James is as good as it gets. You won’t find a better modern ladder shelf collection than ours. Shop shelving systems that can be mounted upon the wall to save floor space. Or, browse styles that extend all the way to the ground for additional storage. We even offer styles that feature a desk - perfect for the home office. Some of our styles even feature additional cabinets for items you want out of sight, out of mind.
Our Favorite Media Consoles
Next up on our list is our collection of modern contemporary entertainment centers - or media consoles, as they are sometimes referred to. And if you thought our bookshelves were stunning, wait till you see these works of art. We have a few different styles - some are perfect for a modern industrial look while others are best suited for a minimalist, contemporary space. You’ll even find mid-century modern or Scandinavian styles.
While they vary in appearance, one thing you’ll find across the board is quality and durability. We use the finest materials and unparalleled craftsmanship in bringing these pieces to life.
Our Favorite Storage Cabinets
Looking to bring a room together with one final piece of furniture? One of our favorite ways to do this is with storage cabinets. These are great for entryways and common spaces in particular. Once you see them with your own two eyes, you’ll see why - you’re going to want to show them off for all your guests to see! But they aren’t just beautiful - they’re practical, too. You can use them in bedrooms or home offices to keep things clean and clutter-free while adding design elements to the space. Our modern contemporary storage cabinets come in a wide array of styles - ranging from simple 2-cabinet pieces to more functional 4 & 5 cube storage cabinets.
Our Favorite Ottomans
When it comes to affordable ottomans, you can’t beat the selection we offer here at Nathan James. Featuring some of the best picks online, you won’t be disappointed. Once you get the chance to kick your feet up and relax, you’ll be glad you pulled the trigger on one of these. All the while, you’ll be able to declutter your living room by storing things inside! Starting at under $50, these are a great addition to the rest of your storage furniture - don’t forget to grab one (or two) on the way out!
Our Favorite Bar Carts
Last but not least, we want to unveil our favorite bar carts. As we mentioned earlier, these are easily one of our favorite types of furniture. They’re simple, elegant, and functional. What more could you ask for? Rolling bar carts are a must-have for the individual who loves entertaining guests. Whether you’re chilling in the living room or out on the patio, you can wheel your cart around and keep the drinks (and the good times) flowing! And by shopping at Nathan James, you gain access to the best selection of drink carts online. From gold glam styles to more simple, modern, understated pieces - we’ve got what you need.
Final Thoughts On The Best Storage Furniture Of The Year
There you have it - the best storage furniture of the year is all available at Nathan James. In summary, you won’t find better quality, prices, and assembly than what we offer. These pieces are perfect for first-time homeowners, apartment dwellers, or really anyone looking for quality, design-first furniture that won’t break the bank. This is the whole package - what more could you ask for in furniture? Shop now and experience the Nathan James difference for yourself - you’ll be glad you did!
