Easy Storage Solutions for Open Shelves

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to add storage to almost any room is adding open shelving: built-ins, bookcases, floating and wall-to-wall shelves, While affordable and easy to install, open shelving definitely is not always the most attractive solution. No matter how well organized, opening shelving often makes the room looked cluttered and busy. Honestly, aside from books and photos, most of what we store in open shelving is not actually meant to be on display. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions that allow you to keep your open shelving and create an inviting, peaceful space you can breathe in without blowing your budget.

Pretty fabric boxes, baskets or bins in material that match the décor in your room make great storage containers for DVDs. video game and television accessories, and whatever else you can fit. For the best results, use baskets or boxes that fill the space in cubby or shelf.

If you want to hide larger items or longer shelves in a bookcase or built in, gathered curtains from a spring rod is a good option. Measure the length and height of the shelf you want to cover. Often, a window valance will work well and is an easy, no-sew option, but finding the right material can be challenging. Making the curtains yourself is a fairly easy process and requires only basic sewing skills.

• Pick out your fabric. If you aren't sure, get small strips of your favorite material to bring home and see how it will look in your room. When choosing material, look for heavy, sturdy fabric. Bear in mind that stretchy material will need to be pull very taunt as you sew perpendicular to the weave to keep the material from bunching.
• Measure the length and height of the shelf you want to cover. For gathered curtains, double the length and add 3 inches to the height for the width of the fabric.
• Iron and cut the material. Hem the sides and bottom using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn the top hem down 1/2 inch and press. Turn down again 2 inches. Press and hem along top edge 1 inch from the top and 2 inches from the top to create a pocket for the curtain rod.
• Hang the curtain and you're done.