Ahhh, the mid century modern (MCM for short because I have lazy fingers) credenza....Could there BE a more perfect piece of furniture???? (done in Chandler voice)
There really isn't, which is why I'm obsessed with them. And, when I say obsessed, I mean I currently have FIVE in use in my house, and one waiting in the garage (aka my furniture waiting room) until a new spot opens up.
So, now that you're questioning my sanity, you may be wondering, what the heck is a credenza, and WHY does this girl have so many? Well, let me explain.
First, a credenza is also called a sideboard, or can be called a cabinet. It's basically a long and low cabinet. It can have feet, legs, or just lay flat on the ground. When I refer to an MCM credenza, I'm usually referring ot the ones I really like, where it's got some great straight or splayed legs, sleek lines, beautiful wood grain, and sometimes, some extra cool details. Right now, and really for a few years now, MCM credenzas have been HOT. And, a lot of times, long and low MCM dressers are being used as, and called, credenzas. There's also traditional style credenzas, or rustic-y ones, and everything in between, depending on your specific taste. Now, if you're interested in the actual super specific differences between all these terms and want detailed definitions so that you can wow your friends and colleaugues at your next shindig, click here to learn more from the peeps at Houzz.
If you're still with me, let's talk about why I've got a crazy MCM credenza collection going, and why you need one (or 5) too!
This is one of the credenzas (was once a long dresser, but now I call it a credenza cuz I'm fancy like that) in our living room. It stores winter clothes inside, and the top holds a bunch of our kids' books so they can easily find and reach them. LOVE the drawer pulls on this one!
1. They provide RIDICULOUS amounts of storage. Unless you live in a palace, almost everyone needs more storage. If you're low on closet space because you live in an older home, like me, these are the perfect solution. You can store so many different things in them, and it's all hidden away. We have small 1950s closets, and our basement isn't ready yet, so we are really low on hidden storage, so, I have two in my living room. One holds winter clothes, and other out-of-season odds and ends, and the other holds reusable grocery bags, a paper shredder, swim bags, mailing supplies, and other random nonsense you need on your way out the door. The beautiful thing is that you would never know all this stuff is there (unless you're reading this or you're going thru my stuff) because it's all hidden in these sweet pieces!
A favorite of mine. We use this one in our entryway. It's a great place to be able to put mail and any other stuff we walk in the front door with, and it stores a ton of the stuff we may need on our way out the door. This comes in super handy because our front closet is TINY.
2. They are SUPER versatile and can be used in EVERY room of your house. Every. Single. Room. Obviously in your living room as a media cabinet, entry/foyer table, or console. In your dining room as a server or other form of china cabinet. In your kitchen as extra cabinets and counter space. In your bedroom as a dresser or other storage. In your bathroom as a vanity. In the laundry room as more storage and a folding station. If you have other types of rooms in your house, I bet they would even work in there (like, if you have a library, or some other rich person type of room)!
Here's a credenza that is in my daughter's room. She uses the top to organize a bunch of her toys (okay, she just throws stuff up there, and I do the organizing). I use the inside to store a ton of craft supplies.
3. They are super gorgeous and TOTALLY kick your room up like a million notches. Yes, they are super functional, as I already explained, but they are also there to be pretty! And, that's really the point, amiright? There are lots of different types of credenzas, but my favorites are the ones with a big expanse of beautiful wood grain. Yum! Not only are they nice to look at on their own, but they provide you with a big space to style and decorate with your favorite eye candy. If you like creating little vignettes (look at me with my fancy words) and need a space to do it, here you go. Lots of room to organize your tchotchkes to your heart's content. Plus, this is a great place to stick a lamp if you don't want little side tables everywhere (which, with small kids, I don't).
Here's a credenza that we turned into much needed extra storage and counter space in our small kitchen. This is a storage powerhouse!
4. They go with pretty much ANY style of decor. In case you forgot, I LOVE MCM style credenzas. The other styles are wonderful too, but I have a particular fondness for the MCM ones. They can go with any style you decorate with. If you're into modern, you're already there. But if you love more traditional styles, you can throw one of these into the mix, and suddenly you're "eclectic" and stylish, and not at all fussy. You're a woman or man of mystery! You can't be pigeonholed! People will say, "I thought she was so traditional, but look at her MCM credenza with its sleek lines! I just can't define her; I must know more!"
Here's a credenza we turned into a vanity for our basement bathroom. Check out all that storage!
Now that I've convinced you that you need one, where can you get one?
Of course there's the (yawn) regular way of doing this. You can go to a store or shop online for a new one and shell out a million dollars for a really good quality one, or shell out only a quarter of a million dollars for some crappy one that will fall apart in a few years because it's made out of glorified paper. OR, my favorite way...go to a thrift store, or my MOST favorite way, and check out Craigslist, for a VINTAGE wood one! All of mine are from Craigslist. Solid wood, quality built in the USA, have that cool patina of decades passed, AND, it's a heck of a lot cheaper. Oh, and most important, it's way easier on the environment. I LOVE LOVE LOVE good design, but I also refuse to spend very much money on it. If you take the time to look, you can find a cool one for cheap. And, if you're really lucky, it will still be in wonderful condition. Or, you can find one for cheap that needs its top refinished . Refinishing a top isn't hard at all.
Speaking of which, you can check out this post for a tutorial on how to refinish the top of a dresser/table/credenza/anything with a flat surface.
Also, if you're local (Detroit suburbs), and you would like some help finding the perfect one, email me and we'll discuss. Also, check out my shop and see if I'm selling one, wink wink.
Now, if you already have one (or you have a cool long dresser you can use for one), and you just need help styling it, Emily Henderson has a really good blog post on how to style your credenza!
Have a GREAT day! Until next time....