ANTIQUE FURNITURE
                     NEW USES FOR ANTIQUE FURNITURE
Modern life and new technology has meant that for some pieces of antique  
furniture, we have simply outgrown their original, intended use. Changes 
such  as the rise of digital books may mean less physical books in houses, but 
does  that mean we can't use beautiful antique bookcases? With floor space 
being at  a premium for many of us, it's often a priority to ensure that our 
living spaces  are multi-functional. Traditional, antique pieces of furniture 
were often  designed for a single use - but that doesn't mean they can't be used 
creatively to  suit the needs of modern life.
Antique Display Cabinets and Antique Bookcases
Antique display cabinets, or antique glazed bookcases are beautiful, useful  
pieces of furniture in their own right and still have a place within the home, but 
 how about using them for handbag or shoe storage? Glazed doors keep your  
collections dust and damage free, and if you're particularly proud of your shoe  
collection, they're perfect items for displaying. Victorian walnut display  
cabinets or Globe Wernicke Bookcases are great examples of display  
perfection, and could be placed in bedrooms or even hallways. If you don't 
have  much of a shoe or handbag collection, these timeless bookcases are 
beautiful  storage pieces and have endless uses - one of our favourites is a 
drinks cabinet  and glassware storage.
Mahogany Globe Wernicke Bookcase from Kernow Furniture
Antique Writing Bureaus
Antique writing bureaus, originally intended for keeping up with  
correspondence were a fairly important part of the home. A really interesting  
piece of antique furniture, bureaus can feature cupboards, pigeonholes and  
cubbyholes for storing all the writing paraphernalia a person would have 
needed  to keep in touch with loved ones. Sometimes bureaus were designed as 
 bookcase bureaus and featured a bookcase on top, later periods featured a 
chest  of drawers. Without a doubt, the most important piece was the writing 
surface,  which is hinged and drops down to provide a flat surface. Often you 
can find  them with a leather or felt inlay. These writing surfaces make ideal 
laptop  desks, with lots of variety in the storage inside, they can take on a new 
purpose  which is actually rather close to their original use; keeping in touch.
View Antique Writing Bureaus for sale
Antique Bookcases and Secretaires
Antique Secretaires were originally used in the same way as antique bureaus;  
for catching up with correspondence using the writing area, and storing books 
in  the bookcase. But why does the use have to stop there? If you have an  
impeccable folding technique, use the glazed bookcase to store your prettiest  
linens. Lower sections of later secretaires often have a chest of drawers, which  
is also perfect for storage. Et voila, you have a gorgeous antique linen press.
Antique display cases would also have look great used for linen in a 
bathroom,  where you can use the top for lotions and potions.
View Antique Secretaires for sale
Antique Credenzas and Antique Console Tables
Antique sideboards or antique credenzas were originally used in dining 
rooms  and commonly used to store tableware and glassware. Placed against a 
wall,  they were extremely useful for serving food, and are some are known as 
buffets.  Antique console tables were traditionally used for displaying 
decorative items,  and could be used in most rooms around the house. Both 
sideboards and console  tables can be repurposed to make washstands and 
vanity units in bathrooms.
Sinks can be placed on top, or sunken in to the sideboard and there's plenty 
of  storage underneath.
Shop Antique Sideboards from Kernow Furniture
Antique Whatnots
The antique What-Not was a popular piece of furniture throughout the 19th  
century. Derived from the French étagère, it was originally intended for  
displaying curiosities, china, decorative objects such as ornaments, and storing 
 newspapers and books. Convenient pieces of display furniture, they were 
made  in various shapes and sizes. They are still useful for their original 
purpose, and  look lovely with plants, books and magazine.
Antique Victorian Ornate Inlaid Walnut Corner Whatnot
What repurposed antiques do you own?
We've love to hear from you if you have your own repurposed antiques, the  
more creative the better! Leave us a comment or send us a picture, as we 
would  love to share them in a future blog post!
Kernow Furniture - online store based near Redruth, Cornwall. Huge selection 
 of furniture and decorative items. Find many eras and styles of antique, retro,  
and vintage furniture, homeware and gifts. Fast national delivery offered on all  
items. Viewings by appointment on 01209 861444.