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Georgina Blaskey presents storage solutions to make the most of every nook and cranny and to ensure your home stays clutter-free
Gone are the days of one-size-fits all storage. From hallways to corner cupboards, hidden bars to disappearing desks, you can clear away clutter, disguise debris and give a place to everything with these bespoke storage solutions.
Under the stairs is ideal for shoes. Create rows of built-in racks so each family member can have their own section. Free-standing hallway furniture with lots of little drawers is a good place for gloves, hats, earmuffs, sunglasses – whatever you need when dashing out of the front door.
Under the stairs sliding drawers are a fantastic use of an awkward space and can be big enough for wellies, school bags and even suitcases.
“FREE-STANDING HALLWAY FURNITURE WITH LOTS OF LITTLE DRAWERS IS A GOOD PLACE FOR GLOVES, HATS, EARMUFFS, SUNGLASSES”
Pegs, racks and shelves are a good option for easy access to coats and bags. Consider design-friendly displays for straw baskets and hats, and upholstered benches for a useful perch when taking shoes off.
From sneaked-in dog beds to wall-mounted bikes, utility rooms aren’t just about the washing machine and some drying racks. Storage works just as hard here. You won’t regret investing in bespoke, built-in units for white goods and footwear, or open shelves for linen (or the dog!).
A secret room to house the essentials is a fantastic way to disguise the daily household grind.
It’s great to entertain in your living room without having to keep dashing to the kitchen. Hidden bars are becoming more and more popular – just add glass shelves and mirrored backs, essential for barfly glamour.
If you need to work occasionally in your living space, a fold-up desk that disappears into built-in storage is the perfect solution. Bespoke cupboards holding hanging files and box files are worth the investment to keep living areas clutter-free.
Media units can hide every DVD and gaming console with ease – or go for open shelving with funky lighting to display some of your favourite objects.
If you have open-plan kitchen/living space, look at unusual kitchen storage such as wall-mounted box shelves or a book rack. Both make it easy to grab what you need. If the children use the kitchen table for art, messy play or homework, it’s worth considering bespoke cupboards to store paint pots and scrap books in an accessible way.
“MEDIA UNITS CAN HIDE EVERY DVD AND GAMING CONSOLE WITH EASE – OR GO FOR OPEN SHELVING WITH FUNKY LIGHTING TO DISPLAY SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE OBJECTS”
MUM’S THE WORD BELOW GROUND
It’s becoming more commonplace to want to create space for extended family members in a new basement, with both practical and financial benefits for the whole family.
The high cost of homes combined with the cost of moving – especially stamp duty – and the added uncertainty of Brexit and difficult lending factors, are making it expensive and risky for people to move house. When you consider the potential problems of two sales at the same time, the issues become two-fold.
So, although it wouldn’t be everyone’s first choice to live with the mother-in-law there are benefits for all sides: on-site babysitting for the young family and on-hand help and support for the elderly family member, both of which create a closer and stronger extended family unit. Of course there is also the added financial benefit of passing on some of the inheritance early.
Source: Empire Build
Converting a smaller bedroom into a dressing room is a winner as far as designers and homeowners are concerned. Some choose to create a corridor between a master bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, lined with floor-to-ceiling cupboards – mirrored doors and a deluxe pouffe up the glam stakes. You can install an island for accessories, such as sunglasses and belts, if you have space, or use open shelving to display handbags and shoes. A loft space is an ideal spot for clothes storage – an architectural wall successfully divides the room, and wardrobes and drawers can be tucked under the eaves.
Built-in cupboards on walls above the bed make practical use of empty storage space. You can even incorporate a bedside table into the scheme and wall-mounted lights to keep everything sleek and contained. High level storage is especially good for seasonal items such as summer clothes or ski kit that you don’t need access to every day. Shelves tucked next to a child’s bed are a great way for them to keep their things close but tidy.
Tucking cupboards into the eaves is an ideal use of what can be dead space. Whether in a guest room, master suite or teen den, this tricky corner is the perfect spot for drawers and half-height wardrobes.
