These types of furniture are known and have been in use for many centuries but have changed their design and purpose. They have become popular as they’re an excellent utility item that equally serves as decoration in most houses. This paper aims at discussing the concept of blanket box in detail, historically, the types there are, and their usage in the current world today.
History of the Blanket Box
Now, the original form of the blanket box has its roots in medieval times. They were originally intended for use principally for the purpose of storing blankets, bedspreads, and sheets where homes were not so well provisioned to accommodate bed covering in dressers or with wardrobes. It is in these early uses that these boxes would normally be placed at the foot of a bed, where they fell accessible to contain surplus bedding clothing or as a warm receptacle during wintertime.
Previous generations would use timber to craft the blanket box although metal and leather versions can also be made. And in many of these instances these boxes were fine examples of carving or inlay work, or some other form of artistry, besides being utilitarian objects.
- Blanket boxes material: A brief on what is available in the market. Blanket boxes can be constructed from a variety of materials, though wooden ones are the most common, or traditional. Some of the common materials used today include:
- Wood: Such materials as oak, pine or mahogany are typically used The wood is normally solid as opposed to veneer. These boxes are strong as well as can be produced in numerous designs.
- Upholstered Fabric: Today, a new blanket chest may be clad with fabric materials like linen or even velvet on the exterior part. These types of boxes are used also as sofas.
- Metal: Some of them are made out of steel or iron and are little more than metal blanket boxes used in industrial or minimalist interiors.
- Wicker or Rattan: These materials look less professional and formal than those mentioned earlier. They are mostly applied for storing things in the kitchen, near the sea or in homes with rustic furniture design.
Design and Function
The design of a blanket box can be changed dramatically depending on the purpose to which this piece of furniture will be applied and the general interior design. Some common features include:
- Lid or Top: Blanket boxes may have a lid which is hinged at the top or this lid can be lifted making the box useful as a seating place. In many designs, especially the modern ones, there are spring mechanisms that minimize the force with which doors open or close.
- Storage Compartments: Some have interior compartments /drawers for keeping small items within the box. Others are designed with interior partitions to allow storage of other small items inside the box.
- Lift-up or Sliding Lid: Contemporary shapes and models come integrated with more complex articulations, for example, putting into use the gas lift, to ease the setting up and closing of the lid.
- Decorative Elements: Some decorative blanket boxes have carving, inlays or other designs to match with the fittings of a particular room.
Types of Blanket Boxes
Blanket boxes come in various types to suit different preferences, including:
- Traditional Wooden Blanket Boxes: These are usually traditional looking furniture and some may have carving, dovetail joints or metal studs.
- Upholstered Blanket Boxes: These boxes are designed together with fabric that makes it easy for them to be used as the extra chair. They can also be finished in any material and any colour that one would wish to adopt in the room.
- Ottoman Blanket Boxes: It is upholstered, soft-top boxes which are not only useful for storage purposes but also as footrest or seaters. They are common in the living room, bedroom or home office.
- Modern or Contemporary Blanket Boxes: These have elegant and slim appearances with the appearances being shiny, free from complicated curvature and having simple surface finishing.
- Vintage or Antique Blanket Boxes: These boxes commonly recovered from the flea markets and antique stores have a quite vintage look to them and can a lot of character to a room.
Uses of Blanket Boxes
Though originally intended for bedding storage, blanket boxes have versatile uses in modern homes:
- Storage: Among all other uses it is important to note that the primary use of a blanket box is the storage of spare blankets, cushions and other related items such as throws and pillows. This way the bedroom is free of clutter, and this makes the kind of organizational system very ideal.
- Seating: Most blanket box types are upholstered, and the majority of them can double as extra seats at living rooms, bedrooms, or entryways.
- Footrests: Apart from being containers, such boxes are used in a home as footstools and one can relax on them.
- Coffee Tables: Another design seems to have a flat surface on top such that one could use the box as a coffee table thus serve as an interesting additional in any living room.
- Toy Storage: Furnitured preferably located in children’s bedroom is a blanket box, in this case it functions as a toy chest.
Selecting the most appropriate Custom Blanket Box
When selecting a blanket box for your home, consider the following factors:
- Size and Capacity: Make sure that the box chosen for the purpose is big enough to accommodate your blankets and other items that you are going to store, yet not too big as to over dominate your room décor.
- Material: Select a material for you comfort; you should also ensure that it will blend with the interior of the room. Plain wooden legs provide a more traditional and traditional appearance and are of more traditional and traditional appearance; those of material or fabric are more modern and versatile.
- Style: Regardless of the period style of the room you have; traditional, contemporary or minimalistic choose a blanket box that complements the interior design .
- Durability: Spend your money for a higher quality box if you will use it a lot of the time. Oakwood and materials such as high-quality fabric or the like are important considerations in making the furniture long lasting.
Maintenance and Care
If taken good care, your blanket box is going to be a part of your bedroom for many a long year. Here are some tips for maintenance:
- Wooden Boxes: There should be no contact with dust and water solution should clean the surface with a soft cloth. From time to time recondition the floor with a wood conditioner or wax and to keep it as looking radiant as when it was installed.
- Upholstered Boxes: Clean the floors frequently, to remove dust and other kinds of dirt as often as possible. Spot clean with a fabric safe cleaner if needed.
- Metal Boxes: Clearance politics may also help, wipe down with a damp cloth to prevent rust and look for further signs of wear in the long run.
Conclusion
The blanket box is one of the oldest pieces of furniture that are not only functional but also beautiful. If you are in need of more storage space, a beautiful ottoman, or an accent table and potentially more seating, a blanket box can come in handy and offer the beauty of having it in almost every home. Starting with wooden end tables, to the contemporary and stylish upholstered boxes, one can find a blanket chest of their choice.
