Decorating
Give Cold Metal Lockers a Warm Welcome With an Uplifting Update
Make an old locker feel at one with your home, rather than a rusty spare part, with these clever styling tricks
It’s no surprise that many of us have fallen for the vintage charm of old commercial lockers, thanks to their rustic, old-school appeal and their orderly nature. But the question is how to incorporate them into a modern home without them looking like an item bound for the rubbish tip. The secret is to embrace a locker’s eclectic charm by teaming it with textures, colours and accessories that will enhance its unique character, while helping it feel part of the family. Here are some clever ways to do just that and enjoy the many storage benefits that your treasured find can bring to your home.
Match them with the decor
Small locker cabinets make great bedside tables, providing deep storage for an abundance of bedtime essentials. But, let’s face it, a cold-looking metal locker isn’t going to feel very welcoming in a bedroom setting. So, to give it a clean, modern feel that’s in keeping with a cosy bedroom scheme, paint it in a rich, warm tone that ties in with another decorative element, such as the bedlinen, throw or cushions. This will create a balanced, cohesive look and avoid the locker feeling cold and uninviting.
Small locker cabinets make great bedside tables, providing deep storage for an abundance of bedtime essentials. But, let’s face it, a cold-looking metal locker isn’t going to feel very welcoming in a bedroom setting. So, to give it a clean, modern feel that’s in keeping with a cosy bedroom scheme, paint it in a rich, warm tone that ties in with another decorative element, such as the bedlinen, throw or cushions. This will create a balanced, cohesive look and avoid the locker feeling cold and uninviting.
Or for a more subtle statement, try painting the lockers white to give them a clean and fresh appearance. They then become a candidate to house clothes or toys in kids’ bedrooms, where they can blend harmoniously into calm and serene surroundings.
Working the white on white interior
Working the white on white interior
Embrace natural textures
The rawness of bare brick makes it the perfect companion for a rustic vintage locker, however, it takes a bit of bravery to run with these rough textures in a bedroom. Be sure to ramp up the charm factor around the rest of the room by displaying plenty of other eclectic finds and heart-warming treasures, thus ensuring the space feels welcoming and friendly.
10 super-cool repurposed storage solutions
The rawness of bare brick makes it the perfect companion for a rustic vintage locker, however, it takes a bit of bravery to run with these rough textures in a bedroom. Be sure to ramp up the charm factor around the rest of the room by displaying plenty of other eclectic finds and heart-warming treasures, thus ensuring the space feels welcoming and friendly.
10 super-cool repurposed storage solutions
Play up their functional side
The fabulous thing about compartment lockers is that they provide practical storage for keeping small-sized items separate. Step right up, play room storage! Keep toys neatly ordered in their own locker space, and then help kids identify where to find things (and where to return them too) by painting each individual cubby hole in a vibrant shade.
The fabulous thing about compartment lockers is that they provide practical storage for keeping small-sized items separate. Step right up, play room storage! Keep toys neatly ordered in their own locker space, and then help kids identify where to find things (and where to return them too) by painting each individual cubby hole in a vibrant shade.
Or paint the locker in one bright, bold shade to bring instant cheer to plain walls or floors. Kids will be attracted to the vibrant, playful storage and will be encouraged to use it if it looks fun and appealing.
Make them work hard
Hallways are an ideal location for useful lockers as they will control all your entrance clutter while making a bold and confident style statement. What’s more, hallways that are a hive of activity or a busy thoroughfare will benefit from a robust locker that can withstand all the wear and tear. A few bangs here and there will only add to the locker’s rustic charm.
Hallways are an ideal location for useful lockers as they will control all your entrance clutter while making a bold and confident style statement. What’s more, hallways that are a hive of activity or a busy thoroughfare will benefit from a robust locker that can withstand all the wear and tear. A few bangs here and there will only add to the locker’s rustic charm.
Work the utilitarian look
Look out for other types of industrial cabinets that can be put to good use around your home. Think creatively. Don’t just stuff drawers or cubby shelves with things like old mail or unwanted magazines, but give them a practical purpose that everyone can benefit from.
Look out for other types of industrial cabinets that can be put to good use around your home. Think creatively. Don’t just stuff drawers or cubby shelves with things like old mail or unwanted magazines, but give them a practical purpose that everyone can benefit from.
Achieve the ultimate filing system
Multiple drawer lockers that have had a former life as an engineer’s tool cupboard, or a car mechanic’s parts cabinet, make brilliant home-office storage while bringing a sense of organisational calm to a space. Just imagine filing invoices into neatly-labelled drawers and being able to locate them in an instant.
Multiple drawer lockers that have had a former life as an engineer’s tool cupboard, or a car mechanic’s parts cabinet, make brilliant home-office storage while bringing a sense of organisational calm to a space. Just imagine filing invoices into neatly-labelled drawers and being able to locate them in an instant.
Simply enjoy them
The great thing about freestanding lockers is their versatility. They can be painted and styled up for a bedroom, or they can simply be enjoyed for their functionality. Pop them in the corner of the laundry so you can store your vacuum cleaner, or in the garden shed to hang up tools. Like an old friend, you can rely on them for always coming through.
Tell us
How have you incorporated vintage lockers into your home? We’d love to hear about it in the Comments below.
The great thing about freestanding lockers is their versatility. They can be painted and styled up for a bedroom, or they can simply be enjoyed for their functionality. Pop them in the corner of the laundry so you can store your vacuum cleaner, or in the garden shed to hang up tools. Like an old friend, you can rely on them for always coming through.
Tell us
How have you incorporated vintage lockers into your home? We’d love to hear about it in the Comments below.
The natural patina of time-worn metal teams perfectly with warm timbers to create a modern, industrial look that’s bang on trend. Keep the walls and other surfaces crisp white and the beautiful textures will take the lead. If you’re lacking kitchen storage then a large set of lockers can solve your pantry dilemmas, or they could become a quirky alternative to a traditional dresser. Perfect for safely storing your special-occasion china.
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