how's that for a title! ;)

so I tried out my "false lid" idea using a Totino's pizza box. The plastic "sealing" lid is underneath...this new lid just rests on top to hide the plastic lid.

whatcha think? Does it pass for home decor/pretty storage or still look like an oatmeal box?

I think it looks like a *really pretty" oatmeal box. :D

Perfect for storing things!

It's very pretty:)

:hahaha: a "really pretty" oatmeal container!

Here it is "in use". It's holding strips of dried orange peel. LOL! The stacking boxes on that table are filled with acorn caps. Gotta create storage where I can! ROFL!

Its very pretty.

I have some other ideas for you. Walmart has those paper boxes and circular boxes you can paint or cover with fabric.

Cereal baxes with the top and part of the side cut off and covered make nice magazine racks.

Heck, you could cover shoe boxes and you could stack them on open shelfs.

Also, could you hang a pretty curtain over open shelves and cover your storage? A friend of mine did that in her laundry room to hide the shelves and that looked really nice.

Good luck in your pretty storage quest. I gave up long ago. I have stackable, plastic shelves with pull out drawers for the kids craft stuff. Its right in the middle of the kitchen for all the world to see, but it is neat and organized (I put labels on all the drawers) and for the most part presentable. And the kids can take a drawer and pull it all the way out and take it to the table to do their craft. I have about 12 drawers on one shelf and another 4 on another shelf.

Great ideas! Thanks :)

I'm gearing up for when dh completes our basement finishing project. Half the basement will be the kids' playroom/school stuff and a large storage closet. The other half will be my crafty/sewing room, laundry, and bathroom.

I want my room to look "decorated" since I'll probably be living there :) And when friends come over we'll probably hang down there as we often have crafty parties and the kids would be playing together in the other half of the basement.

And I know that I'm not a "behind closed doors" storage kind of person. I like shelves with baskets, containers, etc so all my stuff is easily accessible.