Customer Reviews

301 Stylish Storage Ideas (Better Homes and Gardens(R))

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This title by Better Homes and Gardens editors really helped me in planning two built in storage projects.

The book is organized by type of rooms with sections on: Living & Dining Rms; Kitchens, Bed & Bath Rms; Home Office.

The book is not a how-to so it really just gives you ideas but there are plenty of ideas and some practical helpful tips.

I've read 3-4 of the Storage Idea books and think this is the best of the ones I've seen because it has an excellent variety of types and styles. Also the photography is better than most.

Like most of the BH&G decorating books, I've found this one to be an exceptional value. Every page has full color photos and interresting ideas for making the most out of a small amount of space. The book centers around a "new traditional" or "eclectic" style, but most ideas could probably be adapted to fit any decorating style. Includes a page titled, "Style and Your Television" - I don't know anybody that couldn't use some help there! This book would probably be most helpful for those either considering remodeling or construction, or those with some carpentry skills, but there are some great ideas for construction-free storage also. Worth the money!

I thought this would be a book on novel ways to stash your stuff. It was... but I was looking for ideas on cool containers and other low-budget ways to fit more storage space in my one-bedroom apartment. It instead is a book on good ideas (with great photos) if you're already tearing out a wall in your house, as in great for long term construction plans, but not so helpful for those with a more transient, non-house-owning lifestyle. If I had my own house, I would have given 4 stars. Apartment dwellers, look elsewhere.

As an Australian Home Renovator I'm always a little concerned about how relevant an American book will be to me. This book gave me no such concern. I initially brought the book for some general storage ideas. What impressed me were the fantastic photo's of solutions that not only help control clutter but also add great design features to my home. I especially like the transformation of an old built in wardrobe (or closet) into a tiny library. A fantastic, attractive solution for my book storing dilemma! Also easily achieved in the small space of a 2 bedroom apartment where some rooms have duel duties.

When I first bought this book, I was hoping to find new ideas for my new walk-in closet.. unfortunately the book wasn't all that.. It didn't seem to have "301" ideas.. all it seemed to show are normal photos of everyday closets and storage places..

I personally do not recommend it..

FIRST THE BOOK CAME IN GOOD CONDITION JUST LIKE THE SELLER SAID, SO I WAS GLAD. I TORN OUT THE PAGES I LIKED AND PUT THEM IN A SCRAP BOOK, WHICH WAS A FEW. THE BOOK LACKED HOW TO FIND OTHER CREATIVE USES FOR STORAGING BESIDES THE USUAL BIG BOX CONTAINERS THAT COME IN VARIOUS COLORS AND THERE ARE BOOK SHELFS THAT ARE MADE FOR THEM. LIKE IN A CHILD'S PLAYROOM. I WAS EXPECTING MORE IDEAS. UNLESS YOU ARE A CARPENTOR IT DIDN'T HAVE THAT MUCH TO OFFER FOR ME. NOT SURE WHAT I EXPECTED BUT I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED.

"301 Stylish Storage Ideas" is part of the Better Homes and Gardens collection of books. I purchased it hoping for some novel storage ideas for my new home. Overall, the book is fairly well done; however, as other reviewers have noted, most of the tips involve pricey permanent storage, such as built-in bookcases, bathroom cabinets, and kitchen islands. If you plan on having high-end built-in storage added to your home, then this book might be useful.

However, readers seeking less costly or more temporary storage ideas should look elsewhere. Most of these tips primarily consist of placing baskets and bins in various places around the home - not particularly innovative. My home is newly built, so I don't want the incur expense right now of adding built-ins to several rooms with storage needs. As a result, these tips really didn't help me much.

On a positive note, the pictures are quite nice; even though it was published in 1998, everything still looks fairly current. Unfortunately, the pictures typically show an entire room incorporating several types of storage, and items were not numbered to correspond to the accompanying tip. Thus, it was sometimes difficult to locate in the pictures specific storage items described in the text. Overall, I enjoyed looking through this book and seeing what people do for storage, but I won't be incorporating any of these concepts into my home any time soon.

*stashes book in a basket on my shelf*