How to Style Cube Storage: 3 Creative Ideas
Key Takeaways
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Mixing open and closed storage creates visual balance while maintaining functionality, keeping everyday items hidden and displaying decorative pieces that enhance your room's style.
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Creating themed zones within your cube unit transforms generic storage into organized spaces for specific purposes like a home bar, book nook, or craft station.
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Adding height, texture, and varied shapes prevents cube storage from looking flat and boring, using plants, books positioned horizontally and vertically, and items at different depths.
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Color coordination matters more than you think; limiting your palette to three or four colors prevents cube storage from looking chaotic and cluttered.
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John Louis Home’s 100% solid wood cube organizers combine strength, premium finishes, and modular stackable design to create stylish, customizable storage that won’t sag under books or décor.
Why Styling Your Cube Storage Makes All the Difference
Cube storage units are everywhere. They're affordable, versatile, and practical for organizing everything from toys to office supplies. But let's be honest; without proper styling, they can look pretty basic or downright cluttered.
The problem isn't the cube storage itself. It's how most people fill them. Tossing items randomly into cubes creates visual chaos. Leaving every cube open looks messy. Filling every single cube makes the unit feel cramped and overwhelming.
The good news? A little intentional styling transforms cube storage from utilitarian eyesore to stylish focal point. These three creative ideas help you strike that perfect balance between function and design, no matter which room you're organizing.
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Top 3 Creative Ideas to Style Your Cube Storage
1. Mix Open & Closed Storage for Visual Balance
Mixing open and closed storage in cube organizers keeps the space functional and visually balanced, letting you hide clutter while displaying books, decor, and plants.
The biggest styling mistake with cube storage? Treating every cube the same way. Mixing open and closed storage creates visual interest while keeping your space organized.
How to Implement It
Start by placing storage bins, baskets, or fabric boxes in about half your cubes. These closed storage spots hide the stuff you need but don't want on display—chargers, cables, small toys, or office supplies. Scatter these closed cubes randomly instead of grouping them side by side.
Leave remaining cubes open for displaying books, plants, framed photos, or decorative objects. This mix prevents the cluttered look that happens when everything's exposed while avoiding the boring appearance of a unit filled entirely with matching bins.
Skip the obvious square wicker baskets everyone uses. Try felt bins, metal wire baskets for attractive items, or round baskets that contrast with the square openings. Wire baskets work great for books or wooden blocks, while solid bins better conceal less attractive items.
Key Benefits
This approach gives you flexibility to adjust as needs change. Swap what's displayed seasonally or hide more items during busy periods when maintaining perfect display arrangements feels impossible. The random pattern keeps eyes moving across the unit instead of landing on monotonous rows.
Best For
This idea is best for living rooms, home offices, and bedrooms where you need both functional storage and decorative display. This works especially well in open-concept spaces where cube storage remains visible from multiple angles.
2. Create Themed Zones Within Your Cube Unit
Creating themed zones within cube storage transforms clutter into function, turning simple shelves into organized workspaces, reading nooks, or craft stations that feel intentional and easy to maintain.
Rather than randomly filling cubes, assign specific purposes to different sections of your unit. These themed zones turn basic storage into functional stations that serve specific needs.
How to Implement It
Choose themes based on your lifestyle. Create a home bar by dedicating four to six cubes for glasses, bottles, and bar tools. You can even attach wine glass hooks inside one cube for a professional touch!
Build a book nook by grouping books in two or three cubes, color-coordinating the spines for visual appeal. Set up a craft station with supplies organized by type across several cubes.
For each themed zone, use the full depth and height of the cubes. Place taller items at the back with shorter pieces in front, creating layers that look intentional from a distance while revealing hidden details up close. Position some books horizontally and others vertically to add movement and fill space more efficiently.
Key Benefits
Themed zones make cube storage feel curated instead of thrown together. Family members know exactly where to find what they need. The organization also makes restocking and tidying faster since everything has a designated spot within its zone.
Best For
This approach works well for larger cube units with nine or more cubes, craft rooms, home offices, and living spaces where multiple activities happen. This approach particularly suits households where different family members use the storage for different purposes.
3. Add Height & Texture with Layered Styling
Layered cube styling with plants, baskets, and mixed textures adds warmth and depth, turning simple shelving into a cozy, curated display that feels both balanced and alive.
Flat, one-dimensional cube styling looks boring. Adding height variation and different textures creates depth that makes storage visually interesting.
How to Implement It
Start with plants. Position a trailing plant like pothos on a top cube, letting vines cascade down the front or across neighboring cubes. Use small hooks or thumbtacks to guide vines where you want them. Mix in non-trailing plants across other cubes for greenery without the dramatic effect. Make sure planters don't have drainage holes to prevent water damage.
Vary the heights of displayed items dramatically. Place tall vases at cube backs, medium items in the middle, and shorter pieces at the front. If you're short on tall objects, stand items on their side—a decorative tray propped vertically takes up vertical space while adding interest.
Incorporate different textures throughout. Combine smooth ceramics with rough woven baskets, glossy books with matte fabric bins, and natural wood elements with metal accents. This texture variety prevents the uniform look that makes cube storage feel sterile.
Key Benefits
Layered styling with varied heights draws the eye around the entire unit instead of scanning right past it. The dimensional approach makes even budget cube storage look intentionally designed. Plants specifically soften the geometric lines while bringing life and color to the space.
Best For
This idea is best for display-focused cube storage in entryways, living rooms, or bedrooms where the unit serves as a design element. This technique works best when the cube storage sits against a wall where the full styling remains visible.
Tips for Styling Cube Storage Successfully
Use these simple tips to style your cube storage in a way that looks polished, organized, and intentional.
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Stick to a Color Palette: Choose three to four colors maximum and repeat them throughout the cubes. This prevents visual chaos, especially with white or black cube units, where everything inside shows clearly. If working with books, curate spines by color when possible.
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Don't Overcrowd: Leave some breathing room. Fill cubes to the back for depth, but don't cram every inch. Empty space allows the eye to rest and makes displayed items stand out more.
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Consider Room-Specific Needs: In kids' rooms, prioritize functional storage with bins they can easily access. In living rooms, focus more on display. Home offices need a mix of organizing supplies while maintaining a professional appearance.
Why Choose John Louis Home for Your Cube Storage Solutions
John Louis Home cube organizers offer solid wood strength, modular flexibility, and elegant finishes, giving you lasting durability and a polished look that fits seamlessly into any room.
The styling ideas above work best when you start with quality cube storage that can handle the look you're creating. That's where John Louis Home makes a real difference.
Our cube organizers are crafted from 100% solid wood. This matters when you're styling with books, plants, and decorative items that add weight. Unlike budget cube units that sag over time, our solid wood construction holds up to years of active use without warping or bowing.
The modular design gives you freedom to style exactly how you envisioned. Stack units to create floor-to-ceiling displays, combine different sizes to fit specific walls, or arrange them horizontally as media centers or room dividers. The open-back design makes cord management effortless when styling with lamps or electronics, while decorative wainscot side panels add elegant detail that budget units lack.
Our generously sized cubes measure 11.5" W x 11.75" L x 12" H, giving you more room to create those layered, dimensional displays that make cube storage look intentionally styled rather than cluttered. Choose from premium finishes including Red Mahogany, Espresso, Chestnut, or White, to match your existing décor.
Assembly is straightforward with included step-by-step instructions, all necessary hardware, and pre-finished components ready to use right out of the box. Safety wall attachment hardware ensures stacked units stay secure.
Beyond cube storage, John Louis Home offers coordinating pieces including closet organizers, storage benches, hall trees, and fabric storage bins that pair perfectly with our cube units. This lets you create a cohesive look throughout your home while maintaining the quality and durability you need.
Whether you're organizing a playroom, styling a living room display, or creating an entryway catch-all, John Louis Home cube organizers give you the foundation to bring your styling ideas to life, and keep them looking great for years to come.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What's the best way to arrange items in cube storage?
Use varied heights by placing taller items at the back and shorter items at the front. Mix horizontal and vertical book placement, scatter storage bins randomly instead of grouping them, and incorporate different shapes to avoid repetition. The key is creating visual interest through intentional variety.
Can cube storage work in formal living spaces?
Absolutely. Choose higher-quality cube units in solid wood rather than particle board, style them with sophisticated elements like leather bins and art books, and maintain a curated color palette. The right styling transforms cube storage from dorm room basic to living room chic.
How do I keep cube storage from looking cluttered?
Limit your color palette to three or four colors, leave some cubes partially empty for breathing room, and use storage containers to hide smaller, messy items. Avoid filling every inch of every cube; negative space is your friend when styling storage.
Can I stack John Louis Home cube organizers to create larger styled displays?
Yes! John Louis Home cube organizers are designed to be stackable, which is perfect for creating those dramatic floor-to-ceiling displays mentioned in the styling ideas. The solid wood construction ensures stacked units remain stable and secure, and we include safety wall attachment hardware with every purchase. This lets you build custom configurations that fit your space while creating multiple zones for different styling themes, like a book nook on top and a plant display below.
*Note: Pricing and product availability mentioned in this post are subject to change. Please check the website for current pricing and stock information before making a purchase.
