Maximize Indoor Plant Storage By Turning An Old China Cabinet Into Something Useful

There are plenty of houseplants that are perfect for growing indoors. So many, in fact, that you'll be tempted to buy them all. But it can be challenging to find space for a large indoor plant collection to thrive. One gorgeous option is to create a stunning living wall, thus maximizing vertical space, but if that seems too difficult, there's an easier, multi-level solution worth trying. You can maximize indoor plant storage by transforming an old china cabinet into a pretty plant sanctuary.

Whether you choose to overhaul a cabinet you already have or you thrift one on a budget (you may even get lucky and find a free cabinet on Facebook Marketplace), it's easy to update the cabinet's entire look with a few simple tweaks. A coat of paint is a simple way to give the cabinet an update, but you can also use peel-and-stick wallpaper, fabric, and other elements to customize the design. You'll also want grow lights to install inside the cabinet.

When choosing the perfect cabinet, search for one with glass shelves, as this will allow grow lights installed at the top of the cabinet to filter down to all of the plants below through the glass. Otherwise, you'll need to consider installing grow lights on each level. As for the plants themselves, opt for indoor plants that will thrive in a small space, and keep in mind the height of the shelves themselves, so as not to thwart any of the plants' natural growth.

It's simple to turn an old china cabinet into useful storage for things other than dishes — all you need is a little imagination. When it comes to repurposing a cabinet for your plants, start by sanding and priming the outside. Then, hit it with your favorite paint color, using a roller for the big surfaces and a brush to get into the nooks and crannies. For an even easier DIY, opt for chalk paint instead, which requires no prep work.

For added oomph, paint the cabinet's backboard with a complimentary hue, or line it using double-sided tape and your favorite fabric. Another great option is to use peel-and-stick wallpaper, which can bring an eye-catching pattern to your DIY. Start in the upper left-hand corner and, slowly peeling its backing, work downwards, pressing the wallpaper to the cabinet backing and removing air bubbles with a plastic smoother along the way. For a perfect fit, cut the wallpaper sections to be 1 inch bigger than necessary, push them into the edges with the smoother, then use an X-acto knife to cut off any excess.

If you're still feeling creative, you can add some of the wallpaper to the outside of the cabinet, stencil its drawers, or replace knobs and pulls with fun new ones. Another great hack is to use the lower cabinets and drawers to store plant food, watering cans, and all other plant-care essentials, so they're always within easy reach.