Not A Rack, Not A Cabinet: Joanna Gaines' Gorgeous Alternative For Firewood Storage

As seasons change and autumn breezes give way to winter chills, many look forward to gathering before a roaring, wood-burning fireplace at home. But while fireplaces are an excellent source of heat and harmony for your family, it can be a challenge to know how much wood you'll need to heat your house in winter, or how to store it safely (and stylishly!) so no one trips over an unseemly pile of logs. Fortunately for fireplace fans, interior designer and Magnolia brand magnate Joanna Gaines has a storage solution that goes beyond ordinary racks and cabinets to keep your firewood neat and dry: built-in cubbies that keep logs organized, accessible, and part of the room's design.

Writing a Magnolia blog post about "Fixer Upper" Season 5, Episode 3, "New Chapter for Family of Four," Gaines describes the cubbies in a newly renovated living room as "a fun way to add some unique flair to your fireplace while keeping in mind practicality." The cubbies bookend the fireplace, giving the reinvigorated space a symmetrical and elegant feel while keeping the firewood nearby but out of the way. They also make use of otherwise overlooked wall space, helping the logs feel like an intentional design element rather than something that simply needs to be hidden. Gaines continues, "If you're looking for a more in-depth or permanent facelift for your fireplace, try built-in cubbies like these."

The built-in firewood cubbies featured in "Fixer Upper" are beautiful additions for anyone renovating a home with a fireplace. But Joanna Gaines knows they aren't an option for everyone. Fortunately, you don't need a major renovation to borrow the idea. "For an easy take on this, simply add in an interesting piece to hold your firewood, like a larger basket or cool bucket," she suggests on her Magnolia blog.

Baskets are excellent at organizing clutter in your home, whether you're storing snacks in your pantry or, yes, gathering firewood for the long winter months. A wicker basket is a charming alternative that makes your home feel like a cozy, rustic cabin, no matter where you are. Just be sure to choose a sturdy one and keep it a safe distance from the fireplace.

This Galvanized Steel Firewood Bucket from Wayfair, with an antique copper finish, is another storage option that adds warmth and security. Its size and durability make it useful for storage year-round, long after the final log has been tossed into the fire.