If you have 'dish' love, you probably also have dish storage issues. I have a hall closet full of display items - candleholders, glassware, flatware, etc - and my China Cabinet and buffet server are crammed full so I needed some other options. While I ponder what other closet I can take over, I am using hat boxes to store some of my chargers, plates and salad plates.
I purchase my boxes from Hobby Lobby when they are 50%, which is about every other week. The differant size boxes range in price for 4.99 to 7.49, so at 50% off this is a very reasonable storage alternative. These boxes are just the right sizes for my chargers and plates...the salad plates are a litte small in diameter based upon the smallest box size, so I just stuff empty plastic bags around them so they do not shift as I am moving the boxes around. Use sheets of bubble wrap or tissue between the dishes and stack them inside the containers. Just measure your charger and plates and when you get to HL, pick up the corresponding size....I will probably keep my items stored in these boxes even when I move them to a closet, as this gives the dishes extra protection.
This 14 inch box gives me plenty of room to store ten 9 inch plates...I could use the smaller 10 inch box, but I like having more room around the edges which makes getting the plates out a lot easier.
Just stack the boxes in an empty corner and they provide storage and look good.
You can even use the boxes as a display pedestal.
I keep an inventory list on my computer of all my tabletop display items, plates, flatware, etc along with the date and place I bought the item and any branding or other descriptors (ex. if I buy a silver piece from an Antique shop and it provides the name of the item or a date, I keep that on my list since it is not marked directly on the item). I also add a picture of the item and the quantity. When I need something, I know exactly where it is and how many I have etc. You could also label each of the boxes by using a tag on a string and just tape the string to the inside of the box and let the tag show underneath the lid...you could turn the box so the tag is in the corner and not showing, if using as a display in your room.
I hope this idea helps with some of your storage needs, it has certainly helped me with some much needed clean-up and organization.
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