5 Ways to Declutter Your Collections
Have heap of mismatched plates gathering dust in the basement? Dig 'em out! Antiques and vintage collectibles are meant to be seen and enjoyed, so here are 5 ways to live comfortably with loads of vintage finds.
1. Plates
There never seems to be cabinet space deep enough to hold platters, so make an artful asset of hard-to-store goods. Here, we used a custom plate rack to displays the oversize dishes.
Plus: 12 smart kitchen organization ideas »
2. Jewelry
Bring baubles into the light. Instead of stashing jewelry in a drawer or box -- where it tends to get tangled and forgotten -- corral bangles in vessels, like these McCoy planters. To devise the perfect spot for beaded bracelets, cover particle board in gift wrap, then pop it into an antique frame. Hang each sparkler from a pretty bridal-bouquet pushpin to complete the look.
3. Suitcases
Put treasures to work. Stacked up, vintage suitcases read as a single unit of furniture, like a cabinet. And this gorgeous grouping doesn't just stand there looking good: you can stows off-season stuff, such as holiday ornaments, in each "drawer."
Plus: 14 craft projects that will help you stay organized »
4. Frames
Adopt a flexible framework for arranging artwork. A gallery-esque wall of picture ledges provides the freedom to swap mirrors in and out with ease as your collection changes. Bright idea: Combine several short shelves to create each one of these super-long ones.
5. Antiques and Found Objects
In any house, there are only so many tabletops on which to showcase stuff. So if you tend to amass large numbers of small collectibles, consider climbing the walls. Large bookshelves in a living room allow you to display your antiques without adding to clutter. Check out our 3 tips to smartly arrange antiques »
Get more makeover ideas from CountryLiving.com:
90+ Bedroom Ideas You'll Love »
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6 White Decorating Lessons »
7 Budget-Savvy Bathroom Makeover Tips »
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
