The Vintage Cabinet That's A Perfect Junk Drawer Alternative (And Still Beautiful Decor)
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If you don't have a junk drawer somewhere in your home, you are probably one of the few. In fact, some of us have more than one junk drawer. It's a place to store things that don't have a home elsewhere, and sometimes items we're just too lazy to put in their proper place. Nonetheless, junk drawers have been around for decades, with the earliest mention dating back to 1912. Since junk drawers themselves count as a vintage idea, it seems only fair to come up with a vintage storage alternative to the typical junk drawer: a vintage apothecary cabinet.
Apothecary cabinets date back to the 1700s and were initially used to store medicines and herbal remedies, hence the name. These cabinets come in various sizes, but the key factor that makes them an excellent option for a junk drawer is the inclusion of small drawers throughout. Imagine the possibilities when it comes to actually having your junk drawer items organized. It's the ideal way to declutter your junk drawer.
Nowadays, you can find antique and vintage apothecary cabinets at estate sales and antique shops, and retro pieces are available as well. When you come across one for a good deal, bring it home so you can start sorting your junk in it.
Using your apothecary cabinet as a junk drawer
Apothecary cabinets have multiple drawers. Some cabinets are small enough to sit on top of a dresser or counter, while others are larger. You can even utilize multiple, delegating them as junk drawers in each room of the house, to prevent clutter. No matter what size your junk drawer is, sorting its contents into this nifty vintage piece will make it much easier to find what you're looking for when you need to dive into the drawer. Oh, and if you don't want to wait for luck to bless you with an authentically vintage cabinet, check out MOHLTIAPD's Apothecary Craft Cabinet that will work just as creatively.
Some apothecary cabinets have label holders on the front of the drawer for paper inserts — if not, consider chalkboard paint to facilitate labeling. This can come in handy with making your junk drawer contents easy to sift through, allowing you to assign each drawer a distinct purpose. You'll never have to organize your junk drawer again, because it will already be organized. Put rubber bands and twist ties in one drawer, and nails and thumbtacks in another. Use one for your extra lip balm, put pens and pencils in another, and store spare change in a different drawer.
You can even customize the cabinet's finish and drawer pulls to complement your aesthetic. Whatever you have that needs its own home, the apothecary cabinet can be that space, keeping you from having to dump the junk drawer's contents on the floor to find a paperclip.