By now most of us know not to keep our bottles of perfume next to the sink in the bathroom where light and heat will degrade the scent. Plus, if you’re like me, you’d need a sink as big as Paul Bunyan’s to have enough room for all your bottles. So, if the bathroom’s out, where do you keep your perfume?
For a long time, I’ve kept my perfume in a cupboard built into my dresser. The cupboard is about a foot high and a foot-and-a-half deep. It handily holds fifty or so bottles. (After typing that number, I’ll pause here and take a deep breath.) The cupboard takes up half of the top of the dresser, and on the other half is a cupboard with drawers that I use to store samples.
This system has worked pretty well so far. The mahogany cupboards keep out the light and insulate the bottles. The problem is that since the cupboard is deep I have a hard time seeing my bottles. Just the other day I put in my hand and drew out a bottle of Ormonde Jayne's Ormonde Woman. I love that scent, but I’d completely forgotten about it. I need a storage system that lets me keep track of what I own. Besides, it’s — ahem — possible that my perfume collection will expand. I’m looking for another way to store my perfume.
I recently saw a magazine article with a picture of Donatella Versace’s perfume cabinet (shown) filled with bottles she’d been collecting since she was 18 years old. The cabinet was beautiful, wooden with ornate feet. But, it had glass walls and doors and even looked like it was lighted. I wanted to contact Versace immediately and beg her to move the bottles, or at least unscrew the display bulbs.
Ideally, I’d like a cabinet with shelves between my waist and eye level. I’d like the shelves to be shallow enough that I can see every bottle. Although I’d love to have glass doors, I know that wooden doors will protect my perfume better. (One drawback: my dream cabinet seems like it would be prone to tip over. It would need to be able to withstand the dog wagging his tail next to it without the cabinet jiggling.)
I’ve briefly considered hiring someone to build me a custom cabinet, but I know already that it’s way beyond my budget. My other thought was that I could go to a salvage center and somehow “repurpose” an old cabinet. Maybe I could find a humidor and install shelves, or put doors on a bookshelf.
How do you store your perfume? Do you have a special cabinet or cupboard? How is it working for you? I’m open to all ideas.
Note: image from Vogue, July 2007, showing Donatella Versace's perfume collection, courtesy of Blogdorf Goodman.
See also: On perfume storage part 1 and part 2, which deal with storing perfume samples.
Fifty or so? Wow! I'm only halfway there
I'm afraid there is nothing special really in the way I store my perfumes: they are safely tucked onto a doorless shelf and away from any source of light, which has so far worked swell. My only misgiving about this storage system (system – bah!) is the perfumes might get spoiled by a slight damp during hot summer months, although the (top)shelf (one of three, the other two housing TV, DVD, VCR and stereo system respectively) is fitted into a large wardrobe and is thus protected from any damp there may be in the walls. Oh dear, I'm not sure that I'm making myself clear. Anyway, the idea to glass in your bookshelf is an excellent one seeing as you would not only protect the fumes from dust (which I absolutely abhorre), they would look spectacular too. Speaking of which, I LOLed at your impulse to ring sweet Donatella up and ask her to please, for Christ's sake woman, unscrew those bulbs. Hilarious!
Oh and I loved the mention of your canine son wagging his tail.
He must be a wee big lad.
Hugs, Angelita
I meant 'abhor', not 'abhorre', of course. Where *did* that come from?!?
D, it sounds like you have a pretty good system. Is your shelf too deep for you to see all your bottles, though? And the heat of the stereo and t.v. doesn't rise? I do love the idea of being able to watch a DVD and periodically your eyes to your perfume collection!
My dog is only mid-sized, but he packs a powerful tail wag! Another reason to keep my bottles up high, I guess.
“Abhorre” has an especially scary look about it that matches the word well! I think it should be permanently changed to “abhorre”.
Darn! Yes, the heat from the stereo does rise but since the shelves are 1.5 ft high, the top shelf stays cool most of the time. And they are also 1.5 ft deep which means that I can neatly see all of my bottles, well, for now anyway
Also, the perfume shelf is at (my) eye level so that's pretty neat too. I'm 5'8.5'' btw 
Hm, you did get me reconsidering my current SS with that heat and all. I might try raising the topmost shelf another 2-3 inches…
Heh, 'abhorre' does sound scary
Angela: I lucked out…my house was built in 1918 and there's a “strange cupboard” in my bathroom that always stays cold, even in heat spells. I think it's somehow connected to my groundfloor garage and an old coal cellar. It's not nice to grab a chilled towel in winter, but the cupboard does preserve the colognes and toiletries in cool darkness. It has 6 shelves, SIX FEET deep by three feet wide, floor to ceiling. My bathroom desperately needs remodeling! but how could I get rid of that perfume refrigerator? K
Hi Angela,
I haven't posted here before, but I've been thinking about this very thing lately. My latest thought is to look into CD storage units. I think the narrow shelves might be just the ticket for visibility. Also, there are free standing units, and wall mounted, rustic, fancy etc. Haven't tried it yet though….
although, having just read about Kevins' cabinet I now think I might just need a new house!
I don't have a good solution yet for full bottle storage (mine are in a drawer), but I have a great one for sample vials: I use 22 cartridge boxes. These are small lidded plastic boxes designed to hold .22 bullets, and the compartments are exactly the right size for small sample vials. Taller sample vials fit nicely into a .38 cartridge box. These boxes cost only a couple of dollars at your local gun shop. I don't know how many perfumistas are also shootists, but there you are…
I am! I love target practice about as much as I love perfume. Best tip I’ve come across so far, and thank you (>7 years later)!
I do like the idea of having everything at eye level. After all, isn't that the level to hang art? I bet that if it doesn't feel warm to you when you put your hand on the shelf it's perfectly fine.
Your cupboard brings out the Nancy Drew in me! Do you think bodies were ever hidden in there? It certainly sounds big enough. Hmm, maybe you should look for clues…
It does sound like the ideal storage spot, though, for scent. And in this hear it might be kind of nice to take a nap in it. Six feet deep! Well, space sure won't be a limitation for you.
Correction: not “hear”, but “heat”. My fingers aren't working very well today.
Welcome! I love your alias–having “what an alias” as an alias is pretty good.
CD storage units are a genius idea! I'm going to do an internet search now and see what I find. I wonder if they'd be tall enough, though? The depth would be perfect.
I have been buying tons of fragrances online right now in the middle of the Midwest's main summer hot/humid streak, and, even though the fragrance boxes/bottles feel like they are at least 100 degrees when I first open the shipping box after its 2 or 3 days in the back of an uncooled UPS truck, I have detected absolutely no degradation in the scent at all (when it is a new instance of a fragrance that I already own). I suspect that many fragrances—and probably particularly the mostly-synthetic contemporary ones—are very durable. However, if you want to be completely certain, I think the best solution is a dedicated refridgerator. They are ideal in that they can hold quite a lot while still making each bottle easily accessible. Plus it looks very cool to just open the door (briefly) to show your friends how insane you are. And the light that goes on only when you need it to (i.e., door open) is ideal. And the humidity is of no concern given that the bottles should/must be sealed air tight (which anyway is probably the most important preservation step to take w/ fragrance, regardless of temperature—and which I think has already been done for you by most contemporary fragrance bottles). You can buy used refridgerators in decent condition for extremely cheap and often get them for free. (However, the downside is that these usually obsolete models that are cheap or free tend to use a lot of electricity. But that should be of no concern when the issue is preserving a 1925 bottle of Shalimar!)
This solution really appeals to my rural upbringing, which had me toting a 30-30 at age 12 (and giving up hunting at age 13). Right now I keep samples grouped by various schemes in ziplock baggies, but they just jam up the drawers. Cartridge boxes are a very clever solution. Plus I love the idea of having the FBI bust in to search my house, finding a cache of cartridge boxes and shouting, “AHA!” A second later they'd sure be embarassed. (Not that the FBI would ever find a need to raid my house, by the way.)
Did you ever watch Absolutely Fabulous? Remember the floor-to-ceiling, glass-fronted refrigerator stacked with Veuve Cliquot? It would be terrific to see perfume bottles instead!
I wonder if cold hurts fragrances? One of NST's readers–Nikki, I think–stores her bottles in her partner's wine cooler. I've seen small refrigerators on Craigslist for a song.
HA! Many's the night over the years I've wrung my hands, and walked about the neighborhood calling for my cats…SURE they had gotten outside and were lying in a ditch after being struck by a car…but they were home purring amidst the cool perfume bottles in the cupboard! I have been tempted to sleep in it a few times. K
Veuve Cliquot fridge: yes! this is exactly the kind of amusing visual effect that I was thinking re: opening the door to impress your friends!
I believe I read somewhere (maybe something Christopher Brosius wrote?) that refridgerator temperature is the ideal temp for long-term fragrance preservation. Freezing is probably bad though.
I'd rather blacken my windows than hide my bottles. Fortunately I have a windowless powder room. (Scroll down at this link to see a cabinet from The Home Depot that can display about 18 bottles and hide countless decants.)
http://www.makeupalley.com/user/notepad/Quarry
My family can often find me just staring at my scent cabinet. It just makes me so happy.
This is a very nice visual! (The purring cats part, not the other horrible part.)
I have got to read that book! I'm going to search the library's catalog right now, thanks for the reminder.
I love the idea of spritzing on a refrigerated cloud of Eau de Cartier or Cristalle with this summer heat.
I know what you mean about the joy of gazing at your perfume. Twice I've hauled my bottles to my dining room table just to bathe in the pleasure of looking at them all at the same time.
The cabinet looks really nice! It looks like the shelves are relatively shallow, too, and are those drawers below the shelves? Drawers would be perfect for storing samples.
Yes, the bottom three compartments are for storage–although they're hinged doors, not drawers; and the cabinet is 6″ deep.
I ordered the “wall valet” online for $101 (which included shipping); manufactured by Foremost. It's been offered on and off by The Home Depot. Right now I see only the mirrored-door version online. I've thought about getting a second and stacking them if I outgrow the one.
I love the name Wall Valet–almost could be the name for a rock band or something–and the price is certainly right (less than a bottle of Serge Lutens). Six inches deep is just about perfect, too. I'll have to look at it online. It could be just the thing for the corner of my bedroom.
I'm so glad too see I'm not the only one who gets all their perfumes out just to look at them! Do you really own 50 perfumes?! I've got 14 and I was worried that was too many! I store my perfumes on the top shelf in my wardrobe. I read somewhere that room temperature is best for perfume so I don't like them too hot or too chilled. I emptied all the packaging from 2 perfume gift sets (the type you see at Christmas) and I store them upright in them so that when I want one I take the whole box out and I can see what's in there! If you have got loads of bottles that might work if you sort them into fragrance families or something? My ideal storage system would be in a place where the temperature was just right, and it would be a 'tower' of round shelves that rotate. You'd never miss anything again. I've gone on about wanting that system for years! Can I find it? No!
A, I love Eau de Cartier! It is so rarely blogged about or even at all mentioned that it makes me happy to know you like it!
EdC fresh out of the fridge sounds wonderful.
Why do I find myself wondering whether that will be the name of the first Pee Diddy perfume for laydeeez?
I keep my perfume in a tray on my dresser that is in a cubby away from any light source.
I am new to the perfumista world, though, and have a question about heat … It often gets hot in that corner … What does heat do to perfumes?
Well I'm quite new to the perfume world too and first I kept my bottles out of the heat because everyone said so! But I read an article and I think it has some effect on the oils in a perfume. That might be wrong but like I said, I do it because everyone else does!
Eau de Cartier reminds me of a gin and tonic, and both the Eau and the G&T are so nice when it's hot outside!
Only 14? Child's play! I had no idea I had so many until I gathered my courage and counted them. Really, probably only 14 of them do I really, truly love. The rest I like to wear from time to time, though.
I love the idea of a rotating shelf! It reminds me of those cylindrical, rotating pie cases in diners. I think they're refrigerated, too.
S, I'm not an expert, but I think heat can damage some of the more delicate topnotes of a perfume. I don't know how hot it has to get, or for how long, but who wants to take chances? If you only have a few bottles and use them up pretty quickly, it might not matter.
Sounds just like my reasoning. I want my perfumes to last a while, since it will take me years to get through them, so if people say to keep them out of the heat, I'll do it!
Yes, I have seen them. Maybe I'm just obsessed with food! Can you put perfume in the fridge? I keep going on about the article I read (it's just I treat it like Gospel) and it said any extreme in temperature was bad for storing perfume. If they can go in the fridge I will put them in there though because I love them!! I keep them in their boxes and everything. My sister thinks I'm a lunatic!
I don't know how many I have, because I haven't counted them in a long time, but I'm quite sure it's well over a hundred, if you count all the miniatures and special-edition sizes (half-ounce or one-ounce sprays of this and that that come in gift sets).
I have a system, if you can call it that, which works as follows: a very nice Ikea medicine cabinet sits on my dresser; it's not perfectly light-tight, but near enough. That holds the current rotation, probably thirty bottles of various sizes, plus all the samples I'm currently working on. The opaque bottles (aluminum CSPs and such) sit on top of the cabinet, because light can't damage them; that's another fifteen or so. There's a big Rubbermaid container which holds the scents that aren't in current rotation (spring and fall scents, things I haven't dug out recently, and the like), and lots and lots of samples (spares and such). And finally, there's a top-seekrit dresser drawer that holds things I've bought but haven't opened yet, and samples that I'm saving for I don't know when.
This is, of course, completely insane, but I need a lot of variety.
Quick, you'd better trademark the word before Diddy's people get it! Could end up being your retirement fund.
I don't know about the refrigerator thing. Some of the commenters here say that's the best way to store them for longevity, but I really don't know. Lots of things people say about perfume don't hold water–for instance that a bottle of scent goes “off” in a year. Some scents don't age well, but others keep fine and still others improve! I wish I had a better answer.
Still, I love the rotating pie case idea.
Hey, you don't need to explain your desire for variety to me! I understand it all too well.
My version of a top secret drawer is an old jewelry box that used to belong to my mother. It still has a fake pearl jammed in the lock that I put there when I was three and my mother unwisely left me alone with it. I have in it a quarter ounce of Parfum Sacre perfume, some Femme vintage parfum, and a few other scents that I feel need special housing and quick access for adoration.
Okay, I was the one who began the “refridgerator” thread, above, but I did so without any real proof that this was the ideal storage environment, other than to say, “I believe I read this somewhere (maybe something Christopher Brosius wrote?)”
Well, since subsequent posts reveal that there are a fair number of doubters of this method, I decided to retrace my steps and figure out where I had read this. It wasn't Christopher Brosius, it was Le Labo. Here is their exact quote about it (from their website, under FAQs):
“The ideal storage conditions are in darkness and at cool temperatures. Once the bottle has been opened, use the contents as quickly as possible and keep it in your fridge for a longer genuine olfactive rendering.”
You forced me to go ahead and count. 44 full bottles and a handful of minis. Most are on my dresser in their original boxes, a few are in my lingerie drawers because they have weird boxes (like all the Tauers. The boxes don't stand up right). It's hard to see them and sometimes hard to find, especially since my husband and I share space and scents. More thenonce he found himself spraying my Miel de Bois with abandon when he meant to wear his bottle of Gris Clair. I don't want to know what his employees had to say.
Smaples and decants are scattered in liabled ziplocks among my unmentionables. I rely on my memory to find the stuff.
Le Labo! I love them, and their website is pure graphic design mastery. However, they're the same people who label their bottles with a due date for a year after mixing, and I know that tons of perfumes smell great after a decade! My Le Labo Iris 39 is still fantastic, and I'm going on 10 months now.
Still, I do have room in the refrigerator, and my basement (a steady 65 degrees) is pretty roomy, too….Thanks for looking this up.
I use the “memory method” quite a lot myself. But I'd love to be able to look at all my bottles. After all the comments above, I'm starting to lean toward the wacky solution of the rotating, circular pie shelf, with the thermostat turned up slightly. (In my dreams, at least. In reality I see a vintage display case meant for fancy teapots and platters crammed into my office since my miniscule bedroom is already chock-a-block with furniture.)
Was it hard to count the bottles? I had no idea I had so much perfume once I counted. I'm starting to get used to the idea now, though. And it's hilarious to imagine your husband coated with Miel de Bois when he thought he was getting Iris Clair!
I have been reading your blog for a while, but never wrote! Strorage have was a big concern to me but I decided to buy a wine refregirator tree years ago and I love it, I can choose the T. myself, it's cute (or not ugly at least) there is a glass window/door but it is a dark one, so there is not a lot of light passing throught. There is also a lil light and I turn it up only to choose what I'm gonna where (someimes it's long so the lil light is better than keeping the door open). I just had to change the wine shelves for flat ones…Since i'm from quebec (big temperature changes) and I also have aquariums (very humid) this was the best option for me, and it works, my mother and I bought the same perfume the same day and hers is now yellow but mine look like a new one!
Here's what I did–I'm an artist, and I needed to store a lot of bottles of ink, acrylic paints, and glues. They don't smell nice, but are various shapes and I need to see the labels. Hmmm. . . .similar to perfumes. In my studio, I have a stack of shallow drawers. You can buy the drawers in various heights from 1 -3 inches. Mine are about 2 inches high, about 21 inches deep and 16 inches across (wide.) But I wanted the bottles to tilt slightly, so I could see the labels.
I had a bunch of fat dowels cut to the 16 inches (the width of the drawer) and purchased a bunch of art erasers. I spaced the dowels in the drawer (parallel to the front of the drawer), using the erasers. Then I simply leaned the bottles against the dowels, in the spaces between the dowels I can see all the labels and pick up any bottle without knocking others over.
The system would work in a dresser, too. I have a dresser with a door hiding some shallow drawers. But my perfumes are happier in the studio, which is on the lower level and always cold.
No problem! Yes, Le Labo is definitely excessive regarding the maintenance of product freshness (from their not blending the eau de parfum until after the purchase has been made, to the expiration date, to the fridge recommendation), and almost every other source that I found (incl. Christopher B.) recommends room temperature. However, many of these other sources actually word it something like “room temperature is just fine.” Just fine, yes. But totally ideal??? Perhaps not. But I think that the existence of this general vagueness and difference of opinion about temp all goes back to what I have been discovering by (insanely) ordering fragrances at a time when I know they will be exposed to 100+ degrees for several days (on the back of a UPS truck): that they are actually surprisingly durable when it comes to temperature. But the one thing that Le Labo's position does make certain is that there certainly is no harm in refridgerating. And, while I am not hesitating to expose these recent orders of mine to high temps when it is a contemporary fragrance that I intend to use up in 1 to 2 years, I would absolutely keep something that was collectible (like 1925 Shalimar) and that I intended to preserve for decades in the fridge 100% of the time, no question. In fact, I would keep it inside an airtight, lightproof container inside the fridge! But—even if it is totally excessive and unneccesary—just to have a dedicated scent fridge like the AbFab champagne fridge would just be too cool for school! (and would make it crystal clear to everyone who encounters it that you're really serious!!!)
Well, it's an excellent point that while room temperature may be “just fine”, refrigeration may well be better and can't hurt. And if I had a 1925 Shalimar, I'd probably build it a room of it's own, let alone refrigerate it! O.K., my dream perfume storage now includes an Ab Fab glass fronted refrigerator. I'll scoot the Veuve Clicquot over and slide in a few Carons.
I love it that you're so dedicated in perfume storage! Plus, you have real data about its storage since you can compare your perfume to your mother's. I wonder if wine storage temperatures are a little higher than normal refrigerator temperatures?
Thanks for commenting! This is more terrific info.
Perfect! I didn't even think about having them lie down at an angle–almost like wine bottles. In drawers they'd always be protected from light, and if it's cool in your studio, so much the better. Of course, you can always pull out a drawer and see the bottles displayed–probably two rows of them? Quarter- and half-ounce perfume bottles could stand up fine in three inches. It sounds like your dresser is similar to mine, too, but I just stuff the drawers with samples. I never thought about putting bottles in them with dowels to prop them slightly.
I have no idea what kind of temperature range a normal refregirator has but most wine one can be set for around 9 to 22 celsius so it's a pretty good range, but I haven't found what is the ideal temperature for EDT and EDP and I have ask a lot of people. I know that real perfume should never be stored in a refregirator but again never heard about the ideal temperature.
how long does a bottle of perfume last? i've had a bottle for 3 years and when i finally decided to spray it all i could smell was the alcohol and none of the fragrance. i've heard that fragrances break down within 3-5 years but after seeing Donatella's perfume collection, it sure seems like perfume can go a lot longer than that.
or that she's just collecting the bottles but i'm pretty sure it's not that.
any help would be appreciated. thanks =)
I've just been using a windowless walk in closet w/ tons of shelves. It works in that it's dark and cool, but it also serves the function of keeping my collection out of sight of people (my MIL being first on that list) who might be vaguely (understatement) disapproving of it. However, I believe it was Victoria who said that at Osmotheque they said that all vintage scents should be kept permanently refrigerated. I don't know what temperature it should be set at, though. Will have to try and find out. I'm seriously planning on devoting significant space in our fridge to my vintage scents (I don't cook, so it's never particularly full). I'm just concerned we have it set too low.
“A sink as big as Paul Bunyon's”! Haaaaaaaaa, Angela!! Well, I'm not in the league of some of you ladies with your WALK IN CLOSETS!
First of all, I have not a large collection partly because I have a strange body chemistry which finds me going through perfumes at a costly rate. Where I do keep what I have is in an antique tabletop cupboard.
Now, this is Ireland, land of cooler temps and low light, so not a big problem in that respect. What is going to be interesting is that I have ordered for the first time from BPAL, and if they please me as I suspect they will, I have a place of honor for them; a velvet lined antique silver jewel box. We'll see….
currently, 106 full bottles which are stored on top of my dresser, but my bedroom is always dark and its also always cold as I dont enjoy heat, so in the winter, heat is on low, and in the summer, the a/c runs continuously. Its still not ideal conditions, I realize this. I'm still waiting to find that glorious antique armoire that I can shove them all inside of, if for nothing more than the feeling of opening the doors every morning and seeing a trove of fragrant delights. I dont have any valuable vintages at the moment, but if I were to acquire them – I'd probably buy a very small 8-bottle countertop wine cooler and put them in it. I'm not ready to refrigerate the entire collection, yet, bc I really do enjoy being able to just look at them, sometimes.
Great article!!
Good day everyone!! love the blog!! I have always enjoyed all the articles and comments for the past few months.
I have a walk-in closet that I have 2 pantries i purchased from Sears.They have folding doors that I can open and display my perfumes. I also have a large armoire i store them in as well as in my basement. I always kept them in the dark and cool room but was told on my trip to a perfume factory that no matter what, the alcohol in them will evaporate and change the formulation of the perfume. Hence my bal a versailles, nina ricci, trussardi, l'interdit and all my old fragrances have turned brown. I had some in a small wine fridge. I am now on vacation and cataloging my perfumes. I am not into samples but I am running out of space to store my perfumes. I didnt even know i had Jean Nate and 4711 in my collection hehehehehe
Hi–
I wondered the same thing about refrigeration– my bf keeps his wine unit at 58 degrees, and that seems to be ok. I think I emailed Robin about it months ago and she said it'd be the perfect temp. I wonder, though, if you did find a small dorm-like fridge, if you could turn it up to the highest temp, like, say 9 instead of 2 or 3 like you'd want if you were refrigerating something. I've fantasized about getting my own little mini wine storage unit for only perfume… but luckily my collection fits on the bottom shelf of the current unit.
Cheers, talk to you soon.
I'm going to do a little research and find out what the ideal storage temperatures are, both for EdP and EdT, as well as for perfume. Someone is bound to have a definitive answer, and now I'm on a mission!
M, I'm not an expert, but I think how long a bottle lasts depends on the perfume itself and how much heat, light, and air it's been exposed to. I have samples of perfume that are 50 years old, and they smell perfect to my amateur's nose. Some scents evolve over time and can smell even nicer. For instance, I've heard that Ormonde Jayne scents smell even better after a year. Other scents seem to go “off” fairly quickly. An example of that–Annick Goutal's Petite Cherie has the reputation of going south right away. (Fortunately it's the kind of scent that's easy to use quickly!) So, I guess I'd have to give you the ultimate unsatisfying response of “It Depends”.
Osmotheque! Yes, they'd know the answer! I'll try to send them an email and see if I can get in touch with anyone who can tell me what the ultimate perfume storage temperature is.
A walk-in closet sounds perfect, especially if it's on the cool side of the house.
Hello Nikki, did you see I mentioned you in one of the comments?
What I like about wine refrigerators is that the ones I seen have windows, even if the glass is dark. If Robin says 58F is perfect, than it is. Isn't a regular refrigerator a lot colder?
A, hey I'm glad you picked up on the American folk reference! I spent a few months once researching Paul Bunyan, so it's a subject dear to my heart.
I like the visual of an antique tabletop cupboard, and part of the importance of perfume to me is its beautiful bottles. Putting them in a beautiful cabinet–or velvet-lined box–is perfect!
It sounds like your personal preferences match your perfume's needs, which is a match made in heaven. I love the idea of an antique armoire, too (althought the rotating pie cooler sounds satisfyingly hilarious).
And I'm so glad that you have 100+ bottles. Give me a couple of years, and I'll be there, too…
You must have a lot of bottles to spend your vacation cataloguing them! It would be fun to examine each bottle and think about it as you record it. It sounds like the pantries you mention are similar to cupboards with shelves?
Have a great vacation! I hope you discover a few extra surprise bottles!
I have an antique dresser which has a large compartment designed to hold a water pitcher and washing bowl when they were not in use. The compartment is as tall as the dresser and has no shelves. I recently had a carpenter friend build me a set of tiered shelves to fit inside it. They look very much like miniature choir risers, if that helps the visualization. Each tier is about 2 1/2 inches taller than the one in front of it, and the back tier has an 8-inch clearance with the ceiling of the compartment. I've lined my pretty bottles along these tiers so that I can see them individually, yet still store them relatively compactly and keep them out of the light. The only drawback is that the compartment is low, so that I have to stoop to choose a fragrance, but otherwise it fits my needs quite nicely.
My samples and various minis I keep in a porcelain etui chest I found at an antique shop. The little drawers (designed originally for spools of thread and other sewing notions) are just the right height to stand the vials up in so they won't spill.
OH dear, I cannot tell a lie! I am in Ireland Angela, but am a Yank who has relocated!
I will say that these Irish women are mad for scent, however. And sometime I will have to ask them where they store their horde. And also if perhaps, they have to be careful of the “good people” (faeries) becoming enamored of them and spiriting them off during the full moons! There's a healthy respect for faeries here and they are said to become envious of human pretties at times!!
I better hide me jewel box!!!
Hmm, I wonder what sort of perfume a faerie might like? Maybe something made of flowers that smell good at night? SL Un Lys or Datura Noir, maybe?
I can visualize it really well! I like the idea of retrofitting old furniture, too. I could imagine pulling up a cushion and sitting in front of the dresser to gaze at the bottles. And a porcelain etui chest! Sounds really nice.
I keep my bottles on an unused antique desk. It's a good size with a book shelf attached, and I seperate the most expensive ones into their own section. Then I have to seperate them in category, which I do every couple months. Perfume kept in boxes go in the lower drawers, and any exposed bottles I cover with thick scarves. So they are away from light and the area is not in the heat or by a window at all. I don't collect perfume, just buy what I love or find out and about. I can never throw it away as long as it's still good, but try to give away alot. The local women's shelter gets as much as possible in samples and perfumes I've grown tired of using.
A perfume desk! Do you do anything else at the desk, or is it just devoted to perfume? It sounds like a practical mix of shelves and drawers.
I love it that you donate perfume that you've grown tired of to a local women's shelter. It would be so nice, when in dire straits, to have a little perfume to make things easier.
Well, you made me curious, so I just went and checked. 57. How did my collection grow so much since the last time I counted?! I don't remember buying 12 bottles of perfume in the last 5 months! Maybe I miscounted last time. My big problem is that I discovered decants, and they are slowly but surely taking over my three bedroom house. I keep my bottles on three shelves in a built-in unit in my bedroom closest. There is a sliding door, so they are protected from light, they're relatively cool and dry, and the shelves are from about chest to eye level, which is great for viewing, as well as keeping them out of my daughter's reach. My problem is that the shelves are very deep, rather than wide, so I do lose things at the back. It was quite hard to count everything, for example. Also, I'm going to have to expand to the bottom or top shelf soon, and so this idea may have a limited “shelf life” (I'm sorry, that's terrible, I love puns.) My samples and decants are in terrible disarray; I just store them in ziplocs and I allow my daughter to carry them around – I can't deny her all scented fun! – so she eats the labels and pulls the sprayers off the decants etc. I'm kind of worried because she ate a good portion of a Crazylillebule stick about two weeks ago, and it can't be good for her.
Counting took a few minutes, but now I'm realizing that I completely forgot the stash in the bottom drawer. I have several bottles of perfumes I never use or haven't touched in years (most were gifts or things I got before I knew any better). They need to find a new home.
The look on my husband's face when he realized he has MdB emanating from every pore and no time to shower was quite priceless the first time, and even more hilarious when he repeated the mistake.
I bet he had his own seat on the bus those mornings!
Oh boy, I wonder how many doctors have seen children who have eaten perfume sticks? They probably get a lot more peas-up-the-nose and swallowed-a-quarter. Sounds like baby M is ready for her own Petit Guerlain!
The dedicated cupboard with a closet situation sounds pretty good. I know what you mean about having shelves that are too deep, though, because I have that same problem. My house has miniscule rooms, so finding space for a new cabinet will be a challenge–my bedroom, for example, is full to the gills with just a bed, dresser, and vanity.
hi-
yes, i saw my name in your comments.
my head swelled for about 10 seconds and then i came back down to earth. anyway, yeah, i do think regular fridges are a lot colder– i think that's why my bf got a wine unit– although, he often stores champagne in the regular fridge (never a bad thing– easier access!). i love the way the wine unit smells– it's like a wine cave/wine shop/cigar humidor, and mixed in is hermes, serge lutens, elizabeth w, etc. it's a good match! 
let's make a date sometime to peruse the perfume house– when i was in there last, i told the saleswoman i read this blog, and she mentioned you! and how cool you were and how much you enjoyed all the jean patous! you're famous over there!!
I should tell you that 10 Corso Como is one of her favourites. My poor decant from you is looking pretty bedraggled and the cap is gone for good. At least we know she has great taste.
They *should* know me there! I think I finance their annual vacation!
A visit to the Perfume House sounds fun. You can click on my name, then click on “send email” to send me an email, if you'd like.
10 Corso Como? Already an agarwood fan? Forget about Petit Guerlain–she's ready for the big time!
Good question, Angela!! And your recommendations would please them!
Well now, I had thought that there were no scents dedicated to the faeries in the BPAL collection but when I waded through their enourmous listings I discovered that's not so.
ABSINTHE
Fall under the spell of our Green Fairy! An intoxicating blend containing wormwood essence, light mints, cardamom, anise, hyssop, and the barest hint of lemon.
AEVAL
A raven-haired Fairy Queen of Ireland. One of her eternal duties dictates that she must hold a midnight court every season and hear the pleas of married Irishwomen. The court serves only to determine whether or not husbands are adequately serving their wife’s sexual needs. A judicious yet powerfully sensual blend, a mingling of justice and sexuality: sage, sweet pea, bold pale musk and warm tonka.
BLACK FOREST
This is the captured scent of a cold, moonless night, lost deep within the darkest wood. Haunting and desolate, this scent evokes images of fairy tale tragedy and half-remembered nightmares. Thick, viscous pine with ambergris, black musk, juniper and cypress.
PONTARLIER
The legendary birthplace of the Green Fairy. Swiss ferns, lilac, blackcurrant, Gallic rose and lavender with a dollop of sugar and absinthe.
It's the Faerie Jackpot! And I bet those are some fine smellin' faeries, too. Aeval is particularly interesting!
I basically have two drawers measuring 20 x 16 x 6 holding most of my scents, one drawer holding my lighter scents, and the other with the heavier scents, and the vegetable bin of my refrigerator holding all my “good stuff” and scents with a lot of citrus notes which I think is the quickest to go off pretty quickly.
I'm probably pushing 160 scents that I own, and since those three drawers are the only space that I've dedicated for my scents I can't organize further in the way that I'd like to.
But I am so glad that the Basenotes Directory is vast enough so I can actually mark all the scents that I own. There may be a few that are not on their list, mainly the Arabic attars that I own, but I think it's a good form of organization on top of keeping a mental note of where I placed the bottle in the drawers.
The next better option is probably creating your own spreadsheet and you can throw in as much pertinent info to your heart's content.
My dilemma is keeping inventory of all my samples and decants, currently they're all in plastic bags and small boxes.
I did not go to far in the previous comments, so if this idea has already been mentioned please forgive me. Right now, I (cringe!!) store my perfume collection in the bathroom. This will change after reading this article. My idea for your collection is: Go to a home store (Linens and Things, Target, etc) they have these “contraptions” that you put in your cabinets that make them tiered. I think they are normally used for spices, but I know they make a single shelf into a 4 tiered one. The actual shelf floor and then 3 steps. A cheap fix.
You are able to store a lot of scent in a relatively small space! I agree, too, about how hard it is to store samples, although I like the idea from a commenter above about putting them in cartridge cases, which could be stacked.
Making a chart sounds like a good idea, too, and could be satisfying when I get into one of those “chart” type moods where I want to organize things.
It's Saturday morning now, and I think I'll follow your advice and drive out to one of those shelf and container stores. This is a good solution until I get a cabinet to convert (or wine cooler or pie display). The most budget-friendly solution, too.
Thanks for commenting!
With bigger bottles, you just space the dowel a little further, and it lies down more. OK, I'll admit that some of the dowels are 8 inches long, and break halfway through the row.
And now I'll confess, since there are a zillion posts behind this and no one will find it, that I categorize the perfumes by how much I like them. Scrubbers in the back, lemmings in the front. That means I shuffle them all the time, because my mind changes all the time, along with hormones, heat, and what I eat.
Well, I'll hide my confession under yours. Right at this very minute (with a quick break to check email) I'm sorting and rearranging my bottles, too. I've put them all on the dining room table (nicely cleaned off with some Jude the Obscure and Zepherine Drouhin roses in an old glass), I'll admire them, then I'll rearrange with an eye toward summer. A few might go up for swap. It's a little scary how much pleasure this gives me!
I only recently started seriously buying fragrances (and already have 25), so I really needed somewhere to store them. At first they were just on a small table in my bedroom, but now I have a shef unit that is about three and a half feet high and 5.5 inches deep (I got it at Best Buy, it's supposed to be for CDs, and for only about $30). Right now it holds my fragrances perfectly, and I'll see how it does as far as protecting them, even though it does have an open front.
One of the commenters above suggested a CD shelf, too, but I was worried that the shelves wouldn't be tall enough. The depth sounds absolutely perfect, though. If the shelf were kept away from windows, or even in a large closet, it would be great.
I was so glad to see this article, and judging by the number and length of the posts, this seems to be a popular topic!
Like other posters, I decided a wine cooler would be the best way to store my perfumes. It's great – I can adjust the temp *and* humidity and my perfumes smell fresh years later, and the cooler only cost around $100. When the perfume is gone, I then move the empty bottles to a lighted display case so I can admire them without ruining the scent.
I must confess, I have been storing my fragrances on my bathroom sink for the past few months (I swear I didn't know better), but I've always kept the bottles in their boxes/tin can, in the case of the Gaultier. I just moved them out of the bathroom, but I guess my question now is whether or not the damage has been done, or if my fragrances should be okay?
also, my sink and my shower are separated — if that makes a difference
How do they smell to you? If they smell all right they should be all right. It's heat and light–so probably heat, in the bathroom–that damage perfume. It probably matters most if you have a lot of perfume and can't use it up quickly. If you only have a few bottles, and you wear them regularly, it might not matter as much.
If anyone is still looking for options…I consulted with my sister the lab rat regarding my blossoming sample collection. She suggested going to continental lab products (online at http://www.clpdirect.com). They sell cryogenics supplies, among other things, and have lots of divided boxes (poly or cardboard) or trays. Not the prettiest option, but for samples you want hidden away out of the light anyway, it should be workable.
Now that's an option I never even considered! Thanks.