Home storage is an essential component in an organised and comfortable living space. Whether you’re living in a tiny flat or a spacious house, having adequate storage is crucial to keeping your living space tidy and clutter-free.
There are lots of practical ways to improve home storage and create a more functional and comfortable environment. Here are a few ideas.
Decide What You Need
Before you can tackle home storage, you need to know what you want. This might sound obvious, but it really helps if you evaluate which items you need to store away and which ones you use most often.
This will help you figure out the storage solutions that’ll work for you, personally. We’re all different. For example, if you have lots of clothing and accessories, one solution might be a bigger wardrobe with more shelving and hanging space. If that’s not feasible because of space, maybe putting out of season clothing into self storage units would help.
Swapping clothes for all the family in and out of self storage according to the season can virtually double your closet space instantly.
Use Your Existing Storage Space
Once you’ve assessed your storage needs, you can start maximising your existing storage space. One of the simplest ways to do this is by using the vertical space we all tend to disregard.
Install shelves or hang baskets on the walls to store items such as books, toys, and kitchen supplies. An easy way to corral lots of small items and make an attractive display at the same time, is with a pegboard. You can customise it to match your needs, whether it’s hanging crafting tools, work tools in the garage or shed or beside your mirror to hold makeup essentials. Here are some great pegboard ideas.
You can also use the space under your bed by investing in bed risers or under-bed storage containers. Very handy for spare linens, pillows, or toys in kids’ rooms.
Invest in Multifunctional Furniture
Furnishings that do several jobs are great for controlling clutter and keeping all the annoying little things together. A storage ottoman or bench, or instance, can be somewhere to stow throws or blankets in the living room, while offering a bit of extra seating too.
If you don’t fancy underbed storage in the form of containers or tubs, swap out frame beds for divans or ottoman styles. The built in storage is easy to access and provides acres of space to either store things you don’t use often, or to keep sheets and duvet covers handy.
Organise Your Wardrobe
Closets can be a great storage solution, but they can quickly become cluttered and disorganised. Try adding extra shelves, installing hanging organisers or shoe racks, or fitting an extra rail. You can also fix hooks inside the door for accessories.
Create Dedicated Storage Areas
Creating dedicated storage areas for specific items can really help keep your home looking spacious and tidy. Ideas for dedicated areas include:
- An area for sports equipment or outdoor shoes and gear.
- Somewhere for tools or cleaning supplies. This doesn’t have to be fancy, even just a caddy under the sink helps to keep things together and in reach.
- Space in the bathroom for hygiene and beauty products. Maybe a shelf over the door to display attractive baskets full of shower or beauty products.
- Designated cabinet spaces in the kitchen, so you know where the herbs and spices are, where the baking supplies live and where your fruit and veg stay at their freshest.
While you’re evaluating what type of storage you need, which items you’ll keep at home and which will go into a self storage room for safe keeping, make a mental note of where you could create a dedicated storage area.
Get Creative with Storage Solutions
Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with your storage solutions. Items stored in plain sight can look just as good as having items hidden away. Shiny saucepans hanging in the kitchen can look great, for instance, depending on the rest of your décor style. You could also incorporate built-in storage into your home’s architecture if you’re good at DIY or don’t mind hiring a professional. Try bookshelves built into a wall or alcove, or a window seat with hidden storage.
Creating more space around the home can seem impossible. But with a little planning and creativity you can get things organised in a way that perfectly complements your tastes and lifestyle. Hopefully these few tips will spark some ideas and help you get started creating more space around your house.