As we transition into spring, many of us are cleaning our small closets of their sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats and heavy socks to make room for our summer stuff. Only problem, where to store it? If you're anything like us, the closets are already crammed and yeah, we know they're useful but those space saver bags scream "hoarder intervention time!" to us. We'd like a more...elegant solution. There is a better way!
Reading Laure's post the other day on making your own pouf, I remembered what my cousin told me when I was puzzled by the flat leather poufs I saw in the souk in Morocco. Turns out that the poufs are not only used as seating, footstools or occasional tables (with a tray on top) but as storage. In their native habitat, these versatile pieces of furniture are not filled with beans but usually with clothing and other soft good items. It's an idea we'd definitely import. Store your winter sweaters (don't forget the mothballs or cedar balls), t-shirts and scarves neatly folded, gloves and socks in pairs, are all items that would be ideal for storage in a pouf during the off-season. Other possible fillers: towels and washcloths, sheets and pillowcases, tablecloths and napkins, blankets and extra pillows.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN POUFS:
• How to DIY a Moroccan Pouf
• How to Make A Modern Beanbag Pouf
• How to Make Your Own Knitted Pouf
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I think they are pretty but have you ever tried to get up from one, unless you are do Yoga daily its not easy for some of us and not good for the back. I had one just sold it because no one ever wanted to sit on it and as the hostess I would be the one to sit on the pouf.
I think that would be a pretty inconvenient way to store things. Also, I think the stuff would come out all wrinkled and possibly damaged after being sat on. And wouldn't the pouf look sorta wrinkly?
I keep thinking it's April Fool's all month at AT with some of these posts lately...
Where's the first image from? thanks.
I've been thinking about doing something like this, inspired by a different AT post. I don't remember the name of the post, but it showed a sort of daybed layered with pillows. I saved the picture but can't attach it here. Anyway, it inspired me to design some long flat pillow covers that consist of a top piece and bottom piece separated by a thin band of material which is sewn to the bottom piece and attached to the top piece by zipper or buttons. Instead of filling the pillow with foam or stuffing, I plan to fill them with sheets, extra fabric, towels, etc. This makes it a firm seating pillow rather than a comfy back pillow. It provides extra storage that adds comfort to a hard surface (such as a window seat). I've been planning to create a window seat in my office, so I'll make three such pillows in different fabrics and layer them.
As sophiesmom points out, this kind of storage isn't suitable for every kind of item. However, it is perfect for so many large flat items that take up storage space that I think it could help quite a lot.
Thanks, AT, for the inspiration.
The pillow design I'm describing is much like the pouf in the middle picture above. It's just shorter and longer and made to place on top of a bench or other hard surface, rather than being a self-contained seating unit.
I think this is genius. Who cares if stuff gets wrinkled? That's what irons are for.
I have two of these (the brown ones) under our studio couch where we keep all the bedclothes, pillows etc for the sofabed.
http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=206-6383&tn=/3/SS10206-6383TPS602210.jpg
I don't know about sitting on them, but you can use them as side tables, too. You can store DVDs inside them, or perhaps extra greeting or Xmas cards. There's the winter items thing (scarves, gloves, etc.), but I imagine they'd also be useful for storing a couple throws or possibly board/word games depending on the size.
This is similar to the recent post on filling bags with clothes to make dog beds. I doubt that these poufs would be comfortable to lean on or to sit on, especially considering the suggested contents. They might work as a side table under a tray if their contents were durable and stably arranged. They might serve just as pretty concealed storage, like lidded baskets.
SarahBerneche and Miami's Elaine, I never thought of that. That's even better. I have the perfect spot for two of these. I really like the Moroccan pouf shape, and have some wonderful fabric to make two. Thanks!
I'm gagging at the thought of storing clothes in those leather poufs sold in Moroccan souks. We've got a pair, but it's in the basement because I can't take that smell of raw (?) leather. It's like shoving your nose into a cow. It's been three years since I have them & the smell hasn't faded.
Any ideas of getting rid of the smell? Yes, I'm open to getting rid of the poufs themselves if anyone's interested.
Hey, while you're at it, why not stuff your sofa cushions? A perhaps more realistic and comfortable option would be to make cubes with a padded lid for storage/seating.
@ferha -- I would be interested in the poufs -- what color(s)? where are you located and how do we connect off line?
Give up on fixing the smelly poufs. It's nearly impossible to remove the stench from badly tanned leather. Fortunately, you can identify and so to avoid buying most bags, or whatever, made of badly tanned leather. Just shove your nose into them at the market and then inhale deeply through your nose.
@chaalbaby - the poufs are beige (uncolored) and blue with a bit of silver designs. I'm in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Not sure though how to connect offline.
I have a pouf like in the first picture. It's stuffed with extra sheets. Not at all uncomfortable to sit on, but fully stuffed, it's pretty heavy. You have to kick it pretty hard to move it or turn it on it's side and roll it.
I have six suitcases that fit perfectly under my full-sized bed. This is where I keep my out of season stuff. Works beautifully and everything is out of sight.
Using suitcases as storage is a great idea since otherwise they just take up space. I pack my soft luggage in my suitcases.
There are moth traps which are a lot less odor-invasive than the old school moth balls. They're pheromone based and seem to work pretty well from what we've understood. They're called 'Allure' I believe.