Storage takes a crafty turn

Retailers may be hurting, but one category of furniture is doing just fine: storage. “Customers are looking for solutions as they move back home with parents, or take roommates as a way to control expenses in this tough economy,” says Yumiko Whitaker, an IKEA spokeswoman for Los Angeles and Orange counties. In many instances, the hottest pieces offer stealth storage -- compartments large or small that are camouflaged by the design. For a look at these clever pieces, including budget-minded buys from Macys, EQ3 in Burbank and West Elm in Santa Monica and Rancho Cucamonga, head online to latimes.com/home.