There are some pretty amazing things about living in New York City that only those who’ve ever experienced it can attest to. Maybe it’s the energy of the city on that first warm spring day after a harsh cold winter, the moment when your barista remembers your name AND your order, or a walk through Central Park in the heart of fall.

New York Living

While city living can feel like a dream, parts of it downright suck. There are also things about living in New York that only the rich and famous are privy to experience. One of those things is space. When it comes to finding your dream apartment, there’s really no such thing in the city. There’s always something you have to compromise on.

If you want to live in downtown Manhattan, don’t expect an elevator building. Your bedroom might actually be just that. A room for your bed, with little room for much else. And a closet? What closet?

If you’ve never explored New York real estate, you’d be shocked at how many bedrooms in New York don’t have a closet. In hindsight, this is ironic given how common working in the fashion industry is here, but I digress…

To Store or Not to Store

This weekend I’m moving into a one-bedroom apartment that doesn’t have a closet in the bedroom, but what it does have is a massive built-in, open closet system with racks, shelving, and drawers that takes up the entire length of one wall. It’s truly the most storage for clothes, shoes, and of course, bags that I’ve had since living in New York.

Immediately upon seeing the space, I had visions of my perfectly curated closet dancing in my head (and admittedly, I thought, more room to buy things!). The closet has shelving on the very top which will need to be accessed with a step ladder, but I instantly thought it would be the perfect place for my bags. I love my collection, and I thought it would be great to have them all on display. Additionally, I hope it will help me reach for some of my lesser-used bags more.

But then I thought about it further and began to wonder if it was a good idea after all. Won’t they get dusty? What if the sunlight hits them, and they get discolored? Do influencers really leave their bags on shelves without their dustbags? Do you?

Help a girl out! Should I store or should I display?

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Kandee
Kandee
10 months ago

I prefer to properly store my bags away from dust and light exposure. I don’t need a boutique-style display in my house. Lol I’m not delusional about objects.

Bir
Bir
10 months ago

My bags are things… i use im careful with them.but i wear them, so storing them to the point of museum preservation is just…too much for me. and i find that if i see them i wear them more. its easier to reach for them. and truth be told i also like to walk in to my dressing room and see and appreciate them.i don’t keep them like they are in a resellers boutique, simply organized and accessible.

Rosanna
Rosanna
9 months ago
Reply to  Bir

Me too..I have them all in my display and I can see them and enjoy the wide array of bags and colors. if I store them away, I will forget what I have and never wear them. Or i’ll just be lazy and end up wearing the same bag over and over again. If I see them right in front of me I actually have inspiration to create outfits to wear all my bags. Fun times 😍

Zoe
Zoe
10 months ago

Definitely store! Besides protecting your bags from dust, you are also protecting them from getting stolen. Unless you’ll be living in a well protected neighborhood.

lalarey
lalarey
10 months ago

Ikea billy bookcase with glass doors! In a place in my room that doesn’t get direct sunlight. If i store them or keep them in dust bags I forget about them and don’t end up rotating them in and out. Also, looking at them makes me happy.

Kandi
Kandi
10 months ago
Reply to  lalarey

Me too glass doors and seeing them also makes me happy.

Southcountyprincess
Southcountyprincess
10 months ago
Reply to  Kandi

I turned a spare room into a walk in closet. We boarded the window and placed a built in closet in front of it so no light gets in at all and put a rubber strip under the bottom of the door so no dust gets in, I keep all of my bags displayed and have done so for 10 + years with absolutely no change to the bags they all still look brand new even with usage and I honestly dust in there maybe once every couple of months because its virtually dust free in there. I clean each bag after use so they are always clean and ready to go. I love having a boutique display and I have a chandelier hanging in the room and it always makes me happy to go in.

We All Deserve 1
We All Deserve 1
7 months ago

I did the same thing in a room thats facing my neighbors brick wall. I have a question do you use Silica gel or any other products?

Candee
Candee
10 months ago

I didn’t say this. Someone else is using my name apparently in an attempt to make me look bad.

Candee
Candee
10 months ago
Reply to  Candee

I meant you’re using my name.

Ami
Ami
10 months ago

I store my bags in their dust bags. I learned the hard way that a cockroach can be aggressive enough to eat the rubber-glue that binds handles.

Alicia
Alicia
10 months ago

Definitely store them. Not worth the damage that can be done by the lighting, heat, dust, etc. Mine are in dust bags. Maybe you can admire them for a weekend and then put them bag in the dust bags for safe keepi g

Candee
Candee
10 months ago

I store my bags in a guest room closet where I installed shelves. I keep the door slightly ajar for circulation, but no direct sunlight gets in. I’ve done this for the past 5 years without any issues.

Kaly
Kaly
10 months ago
Reply to  Kaitlin Serio

I realized that dream once my last child moved out! I turned his bedroom into a big “closet” and had my Hubby line one entire wall with shelves for my bags. I recently counted and have 75 bags so that wall is FULL! It makes me happy to walk in and see the bags I’ve collected over the years, some mark a time or special occasion and some are just beautiful to look at. I am definitely on the “display” team!

Candee
Candee
10 months ago
Reply to  Kaitlin Serio

Or, a separate room for each! 😊

Ree
Ree
10 months ago

I display mine in a glass curio cabinet with sliding door. Ive downgraded in amount of bags over the years. I have my Manolos in there too. I love walking into the bedroom and seeing the fruits of my labor and my forever collection. Makes it easier to pick which one to wear for the day. Easier when im doing dress rehearsals. I have blackout curtains so bright light is never an issue.

StylishMD
StylishMD
10 months ago

These are perfect and what I use
https://luxurybagdisplay.com/

Amelia
Amelia
10 months ago
Reply to  StylishMD

Don’t leather bags need to “breathe”? Do these allow for it?

StylishMD
StylishMD
9 months ago
Reply to  Amelia

They have slots in the side

Barbara
Barbara
10 months ago
Reply to  StylishMD

Same. I wait for sale though cause they can get expensive.

psny15
psny15
10 months ago

Store but easy access so you can change at least weekly if not more

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