No matter how hard I try to downsize, I always seem to have more stuff than places to store.
(Who else remembers George Carlin’s spectacularly funny monologue about “stuff”? If not, Google it to have a great laugh.)
Before moving to Mexico, I tried to divest myself of most of my possessions. Now, 10 years later, I seem to be back to trying to either find a place to tuck something or trying to remember where I put it.
That’s why I love any piece of furniture that can do double duty. A beautiful piece of furniture with storage ranks right up there on my list of perfect items for any home. If you are like me, here are some great options for your home in Mexico.
I love armoires. They are perfect for every room. In the living room, you can hide your electronics for a cleaner look when company visits. In the bedroom, you can tuck away extra linens and clothing. In the kitchen, you can store additional plates and dish ware. In the laundry, you can have a stylish location to hide detergents and cleaning equipment. Most armoires come with double doors in front of large shelves and three or more drawers. I just saw some stunning mahogany armoires at a liquidation sale last week. The wholesaler supplies thousands of armoires to hotels throughout Mexico because they are the ideal item for every room.
Bed bases with drawers. There is so much unused space under wood bed bases. What a great space to store items that you infrequently need. Put a lock on the drawers, and you now have a secure place to store your personal linens and pillows. Some beds have drawers that pull out from the sides, and others from the foot. Be cautious with the ones that pull out from the sides. Although this gives you the most storage, there is always a risk the drawer may not be entirely closed and be a hazard when you get out of bed.
Storage ottomans. I cannot get enough of these in my home. Perfect for propping up your feet when you want to binge watch programs or curl up with a good read. Place a tray on top, and you can use it for your cup of coffee or glass of wine. When you finish, fold up your blanket and tuck it into the storage ottoman. I always recommend that if you are getting an ottoman, get one with storage. They are also a great way to get seating for a few extra people when you have guests over.
Storage chests. Everyone usually needs a place to sit down to put on their shoes. Why not use the end of the bed to put a beautiful storage chest? A great place to store extra shoes yet keep your home looking neat and tidy.
Sheryl Novak is an expat Canadian who has owned a home in Mexico for over 10 years. She is the owner of SOLutions Mexico — the online furniture store for your home in Mexico. She is considered the expert on sourcing all styles of furniture, for all sizes of budgets, in Mexico. Email the author at sa.novak@solutionsmexico.com for a free newsletter on how to get good value on furniture in Mexico.
