The other day I started thinking about how people store their jewelry. I bought a ceramic egg crate from The Container Store about five years ago, and it has been my jewelry box ever since. It’s great for my modest collection — I’m mostly an earring person and usually keep no more than a dozen pairs in rotation — and the white ceramic finish fits perfectly with my love of simple, clean pieces.
What you see above is essentially my bedside setup. We flanked our bed with two curtained Ikea wardrobes, and each of us uses a concealed shelf for the little things we reach for before bed. That explains the white ceramic bowl on the left — it’s actually a kitchen bowl repurposed to hold my contact case, face lotion, and lip gloss so they’re within easy reach. It’s funny that both of these storage solutions started out as kitchen items but work so well in the bedroom.
You might be wondering where my engagement and wedding rings go at night. John and I wear ours constantly — sleeping, showering, painting — pretty much all the time. John’s ring has been on continuously since our wedding a year and a half ago, and mine only comes off for an inspection at the jeweler a couple times a year to make sure everything is secure from constant wear. We know that’s unusual — we get curious looks from friends and family — but we’d love to hear from others who wear their rings all the time. If you’re a fellow perma-ring wearer, speak up and make us feel normal!
Back to the storage topic: here’s how John’s sister Emily organizes her collection. She has a pull-out drawer inside her wardrobe with plenty of room for her many pieces. She also chose Ikea wardrobes for her bedroom, but opted for modern frosted glass doors instead of curtains:
I’m a little envious — that drawer looks amazing. Imagine having that much space to organize and display everything. On the other hand, John might be relieved my collection is kept in a small egg crate; it helps keep my shopping in check. Now it’s your turn: tell us how you store your jewelry. Whether you use wooden boxes, trays, hanging organizers, or creative displays like jewelry trees, we’d love to learn what solutions work for you.
For a DIY option, check out a hanging jewelry box project on Newlywedisms by Bryn.
Update: We’re not the only fans of a white ceramic egg crate as a jewelry organizer — Better Homes & Gardens featured this idea in their April 2009 issue.