Mission/Shaker Media Storage Furniture

Mission style media storage comes from a centuries-old design. The cabinets store modern day DVDs and CDs while providing an elegant, antique look and feel to any space. This furniture has several different features to choose from as well as a variety of colors that match any room. Staples® offers a large selection of entertainment storage choices including towers, spinning racks, and stackable cubes.

Mission Style Media Storage Design
Mission furniture comes from old designs made by the Shakers. These were skilled carpenters who created simple, yet elegant wood furniture. Media cabinets made with the Mission design feature recessed panel doors with little adornments. The hardware is often unnoticeable until someone opens the doors. Traditionally, these storage units come from unpainted American wood, which means the lines of the wood become the decorations. Many refer to these cabinets as Shaker style furniture, but this type is slightly different from Mission style. Shaker media storage is always simple in the design, while Mission varieties might include elegant arches or spiral flourishes.

Mission Style Media Storage Features
A Mission style entertainment center can have several different features that affect use. Some feature adjustable shelves that raise or lower to snugly fit CDs, DVDs, or video game cartridges. The doors may have glass panels that add more elegance to the design and make it easy to look inside without having to open the front. Drawers add more storage space to hold cords, cables, magazines, or other miscellaneous items. There are different doors styles, as well. Sliding doors move left and right to open and close and are useful in rooms with furniture in front of the cabinet. Doors with 180-degree hinges swing around and open up completely for full access to the contents inside.

What Materials Do Modern Mission Style Media Storage Products Come From?
Traditionally, Mission furniture comes from American wood, such as red oak, white oak, cherry, or maple. It is possible to find units made entirely from these wood products. The majority of modern versions use wood composite or medium density fiberboard (MDF). Wood composite is a mixture of wood and plastic that is sturdy and is very resistant to the elements that often affect lumber. MDF is bits and pieces of hardwood pressed and glued together. It is heavy and used just like natural hardwood. Both composite and MDF can take color or stain to look exactly like traditional oak, cherry, or maple.

How Do You Clean Mission Style Media Storage Cabinets?
How to clean the furniture depends on the materials. Wipe down hardwood units with a dust cloth and then use a wood cleaner. With composite or laminated cabinets, wash with soapy water or use a general cleaner.

Can You Paint Mission Style Media Storage Cabinets?
Cabinets made from wood composite are easy to cover with latex or acrylic enamel paint. If the storage unit has a laminate coating, meaning it is smooth and shiny, then it is necessary to sand it first. This makes it porous, allowing the paint to stick to the wood.