One of my annual goals each fall is to get more organized so I can better enjoy the holiday season. I usually start with a decluttering spree and aim for more order throughout the house before I even think about decorating for Christmas. Earlier this year I set a few organizational goals for our home, planning room-by-room improvements to create storage that is both attractive and functional. Whether the solution was a freestanding cabinet, built-ins, or simply reorganizing a closet, the idea was to make each room work better.
I didn’t know exactly how everything would come together, but I wanted each room to feel cozier with the right pieces of furniture. I’ve kept that objective in mind while shopping and browsing all year, noting possibilities that might suit different spaces in our home.
In the dining room I wanted a dedicated place for hospitality items—cloth napkins and napkin rings, candles, drink charms, serving pieces—so these things wouldn’t be tucked away in hard-to-reach or overstuffed kitchen cabinets. With a small dining room, finding scale-appropriate furniture took patience. My preference was to have several modest storage pieces with a specific purpose rather than one oversized buffet that crowd the room. I like breathing room and easy access, and there’s no reason a small room can’t have thoughtful, functional storage.
Some dining items live elsewhere in the house—our entry dresser holds a few things—but recently I found a couple of small cabinets that fit the dining room without taking away seating space. For a while it felt unlikely I’d locate suitable pieces because the room so easily becomes cramped. I ruled out most buffets and console tables earlier in the year because they were too deep or bulky. Our rolling cart ended up working well as a serving surface because it’s airy and unobtrusive.
On the shorter wall of the dining room I pictured something very shallow and sturdy that would be simple to use in tight quarters. There’s little clearance behind the chairs, so I wanted drawers and doors that opened smoothly without requiring a struggle or risking bumping a guest. When storage and people share a small room, it’s wise to consider how much frustration you’re willing to tolerate; awkward furniture can quickly become a nuisance.
During a browsing trip I stopped short when I saw a small handcrafted rustic cabinet that fit the size and aesthetic I wanted. The piece was compact, with beautiful chevron-like wood tones in neutral grays that complement our hickory floors. It had the shallow depth I needed but felt solid and well-built. Inside were adjustable shelves and two drawers—just the kind of versatile storage that can hold napkins, serving items, candles, and other entertaining essentials. Versatile furniture is especially useful in smaller homes because you can move pieces around as needs change.
It’s still a work in progress deciding exactly what will live in the cabinet, but I’m thrilled to have a dedicated place to organize hospitality items. Adding storage like this makes entertaining easier and keeps the kitchen from becoming the dumping ground for everything.
Over the last year I’ve made steady progress creating practical storage on the main floor. From flea market finds to sturdier, store-bought cabinets, I’ve worked to give each room functionally appropriate furniture. That process helped clarify what belongs in each space, and now I’m planning how best to distribute items for entertaining so everything is accessible when needed.
I haven’t finished styling the wall or rehanging the mirror since I just brought the cabinet home, but it’s satisfying to have a new surface to arrange and enjoy. New storage invites fresh organization and gives me a reason to sort and evaluate what I use most when hosting family and friends.
Another small rustic cabinet I picked up at HomeGoods earlier sits in a previously unused corner. It currently houses napkin rings, chalkboard labels, place card holders, wine charms, and a few wine glasses—items that are handy to have near the table. Both cabinets are shallow and unobtrusive, offering surprising storage without dominating the floor space. Choosing furniture in the right scale makes a small room feel organized rather than crowded.
With these additions, I finally feel like the main floor is coming together with practical and attractive pieces in every room. I’m looking forward to using the new cabinet this fall and for Thanksgiving entertaining, and to finishing a few styling touches to help everything feel cohesive.
Do you have room for a china cabinet or buffet in your dining room? Or where do you store your entertaining supplies?
Catch up on the Loving Fall Series: Intro, Day One: Getting In the Rhythm, Day Two: Quiet, Day Three: Cozy Imperfections, Day Four: Rust, Coral, and Orange Fall Inspired Rooms, Day Five: Fall Nights by the Fire, Day Six: Candlelight, Day Seven: Turkish Towels, Day Eight: Fall Traditions with the Pups, Day Nine: Settling In, Day Ten: Displaying Small Trinkets and Treasures, Day Eleven: Christmas Dreaming.