Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » d*s reader recs [joi needs your help]

d*s reader joi and i share the same quest: the perfect long, low dresser. we’re both looking for something to fit a long wall that won’t cost an arm and a leg. here are joi’s details:

“I am looking for help with a design project and running out of ideas. I have wall of windows that is 13 feet long. This wall is the only one available in my bedroom where I can put storage/dressers. Since the windows go almost to the ground, I need something that sits low to the ground. Here are my preferred dimensions. I want 2 cabinet/storage/dresser/sideboard, each of which is approximately 6 ft wide, 14-17 in deep, 24 – 27 in high. My preferred color is white, but something in pastel/beige/light-colored wood would work as well. I’m looking to spend $200 max on each piece.”

while i think joi’s price range might be a bit of a problem, perhaps you guys have some good ideas? some of my favorites are here and here, but they’re much pricier. joi thanks you for your help! [image above is the blue notte dresser by dwr, one of my favorites]

i’m trying to post this, but everytime i hit POST blogger goes down.

The easiest solution would probably be to up your budget a bit and save somewhere else! But I have seen lots of people come up with really creative solutions using IKEA furniture whose use is altered (i.e. using wardbrobe doors on tracks as doors to rooms or as doors to open wardrobes, etc.). You might take a look at IKEA and see if there’s anything you can come up with, like the LACK shelf stacked two high and turned on its side with rattan drawers… Or a modified fleamarket find… or DIY with fixed shelving…you could even do a window seat on one side. There’s a nice unit here at IKEA Italy that’s just like you described, but I don’t see it on IKEA USA.

i agree- with your super low budget, I think your options are either to do something IKEA or find a thrift/vintage piece that you can restore.

A friend of mine created a long low bench using IKEA upper cabinets (they’re much shorter in height and might work with your window dilemma). They are white…the only additional expense was getting a carpenter to create a low rim and side panels for the cabinets to fit into.

Check out this post on Apartment Therapy. Not sure how handy you are, but if you aren’t, maybe you know someone willing to help?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/shelving-storage/cabinets-by-pete-008621

I have something that sounds exactly like what you want… it’s from ikea… all white. very modern. glass top. a friend of mine had it, and i liked it so much that i got my own. I can’t manage to find it on ikea’s website – must be old. i will see if i can track down the name.

look at their sideboards, as well as their tv units… something in there might work.

I was in a similar situation recently — on a budget looking for a long low credenza-type storage unit, with shelves and drawers — and the commenters at Apartment Therapy urged me to scour eBay and Craigslist for some mid-century modern pieces. I ended up finding something really great & exactly what I needed for only $150. There’s stuff out there but you have to be patient.

My first instinct was to say check out IKEA but this afternoon I walked passed one of my favorite mid-century modern second hand stores and I saw a really cool, low credenza that was gorgeous. So I think you should check out some vintage, second hand type places (depending on where you live, even Salvation Army and Goodwill… I know several friends who’ve found cool stuff for SUPER cheap). Then you’ll get something unique… because honestly, while IKEA stuff looks clean, I wouldn’t say it looks unique.

Try out hold everything’s huge sale. Their closet collections would probably work-but it’s very simple, sort of boxy styling. Also their modular bath collection could work. If you only used a single cube high with the base they would be 22″ tall, they run $80 each, so you could set 4 side by side without breaking your budget.

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