When you are a journalist and you specialize in a topic, you automatically become the “expert” on that subject for your group of friends and family. Everyone comes to you for advice. And what a wonderful thing, really. In fact, I am the first to ask my beauty colleagues about the efficacy of this or that ingredient or the best tools to tame my mane. Of course, with decor the same happens.
It’s not just a passion for our work; obviously, to do it well we have to stay up to date with trends and brands, and that trains our eye to spot real gems and a thousand possibilities where others may not see them. Isn’t it said that experience is a merit?
That’s why, the other day when my friend L. asked me for a piece of furniture to go under the television, I had it clear: we were going to find it at IKEA. And I wasn’t mistaken. She gave me very clear instructions, and that made it even easier. “I want it tall and with lots of storage, but covered so that nothing is visible,” she wrote.
Stockholm sideboard by IKEA in walnut veneer.
Also, L. had already dismissed one option (which, truth be told, would have entered my favorites list): “I think my only option is Stockholm, but it seems terribly boring to me.” I told her that the founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprad himself, considers it the best collection of the brand. But tastes are subjective, and my friend was clear about what she didn’t want. The search begins.
The BESTÅ TV unit makes very good use of storage space, despite its compact dimensions (180x42x38 cm).
In this case, and to meet her specifications, I believe that more than a TV unit as such, which tends to be lower, what we need to look for is a sideboard or a chest of drawers that we can adapt to these functions. My first option is, without a doubt, the eight-drawer HEMNES chest.
HEMNES eight-drawer chest in brown wengé.
It’s my favorite, I won’t hide it. My trusted piece. I’ve had it for years in my dining room and it perfectly fulfilled the functions L. demanded: tall, beautiful, and with a lot of hidden storage. In fact, its great capacity, in addition to its lovely design, are its main strengths. “I’ve had three and the drawers sag,” L. tells me. But I assure her that I store full sets of dishes, cutlery, and crockery in it and I’ve never had a problem, so I ask her to give it another chance.
HEMNES sideboard in white and natural wood.
I also like it in its sideboard version, which combines drawers and doors. That said, I recommend waiting for spring, as surely they will release it in a trend color, like last year when they launched a limited edition in wonderful sage green. Of course, none will surpass the soft yellow version they released a few years ago, which L. confesses she had to give away after a move.
RÅDMANSÖ dresser.
Since it arrived a few months ago in the IKEA catalog, the RÅDMANSÖ dresser has become one of my favorite pieces. It has a wonderful Mid Century design, it’s elegant, very functional, and it will add a vintage touch to L.’s living room. In addition, the walnut tone of its wood, combined with the golden handles, brings warmth and sophistication at the same time. Regarding storage, although cabinet-style pieces tend to be roomier inside, these drawers are more than ample: 75 centimeters wide by 38 deep and 14 in interior height.
BOADSTAD sideboard.
The BOADSTAD sideboard, which combines a black frame with oak veneer doors is another one of my top picks for L.’s new living room. In addition to its minimalist and very elegant look, its four bi-fold doors hide two concealed drawers and interior shelves with a storage capacity, measuring 161x52x75 centimeters.
Finally, another option that I find particularly appealing and that fully meets L.’s specifications is the HAUGA combination in matte gray, a tone I find very elegant and that will bring a perfect design touch to her living room. In addition to the TV cavity, it combines drawers, storage with doors, and visible shelves, which allows her to store everything she needs and, in turn, display some of the deco jewels she treasures at home.
