Tips for Buying a Jewelry Armoire

Historically speaking, jewelry armoires have been around for several centuries. Decorative yet functional, jewelry armoires are an appealing way to safely store your treasures while protecting them from dust, the environment, and other causes of damage. Since a typical jewelry armoire is freestanding, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing one, so not only will it match your existing decor, but it will also have all the features that you require.

A standard jewelry armoire generally has a number of stacked drawers and resembles a narrow dresser. The drawers of a jewelry armoire are its most distinguishing feature. They are usually lined with silk or fabric to gently protect items from scratches. At least one drawer of a jewelry armoire is divided into compartments. Drawers of a jewelry armoire might also include, depending on the style or manufacturer, ring pads or watch/bracelet pillows. A jewelry armoire that consists of drawers of varying sizes will increase your storage options, especially if you prefer to keep certain pieces in their original cases.

A standard jewelry armoire may also feature side doors that open to reveal compartments for organizing necklaces and chains. Another variation of the side door is the swing-out necklace compartment. Side doors can be opened by touch latch or decorative door pulls. To safely store valuable necklaces in a jewelry armoire on a regular basis, it should have at least six to eight drawers in height.

Jewelry armoires may also include removable trays, a lock and key and hidden compartments. A popular style of jewelry armoire has a lift-top with an inset or fold-out mirror. A mirror increases the functionality of the armoire, giving you a convenient way to check to see if you’ve selected the right piece of jewelry.

Take measurements of the area where you intend to put your jewelry armoire. Make allowances for opening side doors and lifting tops. If you are an avid collector, plan on purchasing a jewelry armoire that is somewhat larger than your current jewelry collection to allow for future expansion.

Jewelry armoires can range from the elaborately traditional to the clean, pared lines of contemporary style. Before making a final decision, visualize how it will look in the room and if it will blend with your existing decor. However, if you want your jewelry armoire to be a focal point in the room, you may choose one that complements rather than blends in with your bedroom suite.

In addition to the standard, freestanding jewelry armoires, a wall mounted jewelry armoire might be a viable alternative if you don’t have enough room. It combines the standard features of other types of jewelry armoires with the convenience of being able to add it to any room with available wall space. Wall mounted jewelry armoires may have mirrors either inside or on the front, felt lined drawers and hooks. Some might even include a shelf specially designed to hold perfume bottles.

A well designed jewelry armoire is a resourceful piece of furniture that can bring a sense of elegance to your home's decor. When deciding on what type of jewelry armoire to purchase and what features it should include, remember to look back on this article. I hope that this article has given you all the tools you'll need to make an informed decision when purchasing a jewelry armoire.