Not Baskets, Not Shelves: The Rare Antique Storage Solution For Better Organization

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What is it about our stuff that just makes things get disorganized so quickly? No matter what, it can seem that we have clutter upon clutter, shelves stuffed to the hilt, and baskets that just don't quite contain everything. If you feel like you've tried every storage solution and you're still stuck for options, it's not you — it's the vessels in which you're storing all of it. So what next? The answer is a smart decluttering hack. Keep bulky items in bins and baskets with lids, and flat items in files, or if you're lucky enough to find one: a typeset cabinet. It's a storage and organization hack that you'll wish you thought of sooner. 

This vintage item is a rare antique that wasn't historically made for storing household essentials. Back in the days of early letterpress printing when books and newspapers were made by hand, the shallow drawers held all sorts of letters and numbers. These pieces were usually made of wood or metal and were held in the cabinet's different compartments called type cases. Symbols that were used more often would be held in larger areas of the cabinet for easy access, while less-used ones would be placed in smaller compartments. The narrow and easily accessible drawers of the typeset cabinet are exactly what make it a good storage tool for use in a modern home. Mostly, it's a storage idea that'll keep small items organized. 

Typeset cabinets are not your typical antique store find, but they're not impossible to source. Navigate towards sellers who deal in large furniture pieces, including marketplaces like 1stDibs. There you'll find pieces like this 19th-century collectors' cabinet. Try search terms like "typeset drawers" and "printer's cabinet." Other websites that are known to have a plethora of different antiques from around the world include eBay, where you can pick up more modern items like this American Multigraph Typeset Printers Metal Cabinet. You could spend anywhere from $80 to over $3000, with higher-priced pieces typically being the more ornate, older cabinets in excellent condition. A typeset cabinet is a sought-after antique item that people snatch up fast when they find it. 

@maggieantalek

I found this big set of antique type drawers at a vintage shop recently and I knew it would be perfect for storing my tiny art supplies, all my papers, and soon, more greeting cards. It was so heavy and hard to get into my new studio, but it was so worth all the effort. All the current art supply storage drawers out there are so junky and flimsy and ugly. But this is a real piece of furniture, and beautiful! Today I only made it through 4 drawers of 25. But I'll get there slowly but surely!! This was so satisfying. #brooklynmuralist #brooklynartist #artstudio #organizingtiktok #satisfyingorganization

♬ original sound – Nostalgia Library

Look for cabinets with drawers that slide smoothly so they pull out easily. The original compartments should be intact, with no trays missing. This is ideal for small items and will have different uses for certain rooms. Place it in the bedroom for the best accessory storage unit. These drawers can mimic those of a vanity organizer, so that you can keep jewelry in one compartment. For creatives, this cabinet can store supplies like beads, paintbrushes, and pens. For an entryway, use it to organize mail, keys, and magazines — or in the kitchen, store your recipe cards.