I never used a house in Oblivion so I'm new to storing things in my house.
Is it safe to put items in any storage compartments e.g. the wardrobe, the shelf in the kitchen etc. instead of all in the chest (or apocathary bag)?
I don't like having all my loot just in one chest and so I've put my food in the cabinet near the fireplace, will it stay there?
Also if I leave stuff on the floor or a table will it stay there? I want to keep my golden claws that I collect and dragon bones lying around the house. I've also started collecting trolls skulls which I wanted to keep on display too.

Everything is supposed to be safe; although I've lost stuff that I have put on a table and things that I've left in containers. Most stuff does stay; and the percentage of things that I've lost is very low, but it can/does happen...