Where To Use An Armoire For Functionality And Style?

Armoires are one of the most versatile piece of furniture in any home or office. In fact, a home with an armoire in every room is one without clutter and disorganization, as these majestic and even petite pieces of furniture can be used virtually anywhere. This comprehensive guide explores how to strategically incorporate armoires throughout your home, maximizing both functionality and design impact. Understanding their versatility allows one to transform cluttered spaces into organized, stylish environments.

Bedroom Armoire

A bedroom armoire is taller and wider than a traditional dresser. They often have doors that open to reveal shelves or hanging space for clothes, making them a great storage option for smaller bedrooms. Some styles of armoires also include drawers, making them even more versatile. These products come in a wide variety of materials, colors, and designs to match your bedroom’s décor. If you have small children, attaching an anti-tip kit is a good idea to prevent this heavy furniture piece from being pulled over.

Designer Tip: Create visual balance by positioning your armoire on the wall opposite your bed. For maximum impact, flank the piece with matching sconces mounted at eye level. Consider adding mirror panels to the doors to amplify natural light and create the illusion of more space. When selecting hardware, choose oversized pulls in aged brass or matte black to create a sophisticated focal point.

Closet Armoire

Closets are made to store, organize, and keep out of sight all the items in your home that you need but would rather not have lying around. A closet armoire is an extra extension of this valuable space, providing even more use for a closet. These smaller versions of their larger cousins are made from a variety of materials and, when opened, reveal shelves, drawers, and cubbies to store socks, underwear, accessories, or any other small items that are part of your wardrobe. Closet wardrobes are perfect for a walk-in closet, handy in a kitchen pantry, and invaluable in a craft room closet. The possibilities are endless. 

Designer Tip: Maximize vertical storage by installing adjustable shelving systems within your armoire. Create a luxurious boutique feel by adding LED strip lighting to illuminate shelves and hanging spaces. For optimal organization, incorporate velvet-lined drawer inserts and clear acrylic dividers. Consider painting the interior a contrasting color for visual interest when the doors are open.

Kitchen Armoire

For the perfect kitchen addition, a kitchen armoire provides space to store dinnerware, glassware, serving utensils, trays and other china pieces that need to be kept safe from breakage. Kitchen armoires also provide an easy-to-find storage solution for kitchen gadgets, small appliances, tall pitchers, and bulky items you’d rather not store on your countertop.

Designer Tip: Transform your kitchen armoire into a sophisticated butler’s pantry by incorporating wine glass racks and pull-out serving trays. Consider installing interior wallpaper or beadboard backing to add unexpected elegance when doors are opened. For optimal functionality, install adjustable shelf lighting with dimmer switches. Create visual hierarchy by arranging items in graduated heights, with taller pieces at the back and shorter ones in front.

Armoire Pantry

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There’s nothing better than a pantry built-in to your kitchen. When you’re cooking or trying a new recipe, all the ingredients can be stored in an armoire pantry for quick, easy access. A cabinet pantry is typically free-standing and useful against a kitchen wall near where you do your most cooking. These pantries also provide a dark, free-of-dust and dirt place to store dry goods and spices, helping to keep them fresh and ready to use. 

Designer Tip: Elevate your pantry organization by incorporating a combination of clear glass and woven storage containers at varying heights. Install a chalkboard or cork panel outside or in on the interior door for meal planning. Consider adding pull-out baskets in coordinated metals or natural materials. Create zones using shelf risers and lazy Susans in matching finishes to maintain a cohesive look while maximizing corner spaces.

Bathroom Armoire

A bathroom seems to never be large enough to keep all those small items that create mess and clutter. Bathroom armoires are great for storage for extra tubes of toothpaste, soap, shampoos, and conditioners, along with washcloths and other personal toiletries. These armoires allow for a bathroom to maintain a calming and soothing atmosphere with extra items out of sight. Decorate the top with silk flower arrangements and make this valuable storage solution part of the bathroom’s design.

Designer Tip: Create a spa-like atmosphere by organizing toiletries in matching glass containers with custom labels. Install moisture-resistant shelf liners in a complementary pattern to your bathroom’s color scheme. Incorporate aromatherapy by adding cedar blocks or lavender sachets to drawers. Consider installing a built-in charging station for electric toothbrushes and beauty devices behind closed doors.

Entryway Armoire

Not only does an entryway armoire create a stylish first impression, but it also gives you plenty of space to leave shoes, hang coats and scarves, and store umbrellas. Entryway Armoires with draws allow you to store grocery bags, purses, hats, and the day’s stack of junk mail. Adding key rings on the outside and some large hooks creates a catch-all place for anyone coming or going from your home. 

Designer Tip: Create an organized entrance by installing a combination of hooks at varying heights, with brass or oil-rubbed bronze finishes for timeless appeal. Add a pull-out drawer with custom dividers for mail sorting. Consider incorporating a hidden shoe rack with cedar inserts for freshness. Mount a mirror on the interior door and install motion-sensor lighting for convenience.

Living Room Armoire

Armoires provide storage without taking up a lot of space. Placing an armoire in the living room not only provides storage but can also add a beautiful design element to your home. The living room units can either match the existing furniture or add to the design by creating a focal point.

If your living room is styled with a farmhouse design, add a unit with sliding doors adorned with barn door hardware. For a nautical living room, a driftwood-styled cabinet with glass doors makes a great piece to store books and magazines. If the living room space is somewhat cramped, try adding a corner armoire with glass doors to display figurines and china pieces.

Designer Tip: Create visual impact by styling your armoire’s exterior with architectural elements like applied moldings or decorative overlay patterns. For display purposes, incorporate museum-quality LED lighting to highlight collections. When arranging items on the top of behind glass doors, follow the rule of thirds and create depth by layering objects. Consider adding fabric-lined backing in a bold pattern or complementary color to make displayed items pop.

Whether placed in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, or living spaces, armoires serve as both functional storage solutions and statement pieces that elevate the design aesthetic of any room, making them an indispensable element in home design.