Storage is one of those things we don’t always think of when we buy a new house or renovate, but if our home doesn’t have enough storage for our lifestyle, it can have a huge impact. The ‘right’ storage will help keep your home looking clean, tidy and clutter-free. Sound good? For our top storage hacks read on…
Having plenty of built-in storage is the nirvana but not every home has this. In fact, many older homes will have little or none at all. This means either retro-fitting built-in cupboards and cabinets, or purchasing some strategic pieces to store your belongings.
Front Entry Storage
As first impressions count, the last thing you want at your Front Entry is a messy pile of loose shoes that also create a trip hazard. So if you don’t wear shoes inside your home, a shoe cabinet of some sort is made for you (or at least for your front entry)! It’s also great to have somewhere to leave keys and other small items.
There are purpose-made shoe cabinets on the market but it could even be as simple as adding a few adjustable shelves to an existing front hall cupboard or repurposing Grandma’s old meat safe or that hand-painted Asian cabinet that suits your décor to a tee.
Living/Dining Room Storage
Don’t let your dining table become a ‘landing field’ for clutter when one perfect piece of furniture can keep the area tidy and looking fab! Think about what and how much you want to store in there and then choose a ‘feature cabinet’ – be it a beautiful buffet, a funky display cabinet, an old armoire, what ever suits your needs, décor and the size of the room.
A coffee table or side tables with drawers can be excellent for stowing magazines, remote controls and other bits and pieces that usually litter a living room. The drawers can be very discrete with a push to open mechanism rather than a knob or handle. A bookshelf can be a display area for photos, ornaments and keepsakes, as well as your beloved books, keeping them localised to one area. This keeps any room feeling more organised as well as visually streamlined.
Sapphire Wood – Zora 4 Drawer Coffee Table
TIP: An open bookshelf can make an excellent room divider. Create a hallway or zone your room with the added benefit of storing books and decorations.
Kids Storage
Getting kids to clean up after themselves can feel like a losing battle, especially when you’re in a hurry and just want to get out the door! And most parents know the extreme pain of stepping on a Lego brick! Having ‘pigeon holes’ for you children means their toys, books, craft supplies, etc can be easily be stowed away at a moment’s notice. Another option is a large flat- topped toy box that doubles as a low table for craft activities, etc.
Ikea – Trofast Storage Combination
Bedroom Storage
Many homes are fitted with built-in wardrobes but if these are only small or you have none at all, the good news is there are plenty of helpful storage solutions for your clothing, accessories, bed linen and other general clutter. Of course, you can buy bedside tables, tallboys and freestanding wardrobes for your clothing and accessories, but a gas-lift bed or bed with drawers built in can be excellent for storing everything from your change of season clothing to sheets, blankets, pillows or whatever else needs an ‘out of sight’ home.
BoConcept – Lugano Storage Bed
TIP: Don’t get caught up in the label on a piece of furniture: just because it’s labeled a buffet doesn’t mean you can’t store linen inside it, if this suits your design and lifestyle. Let your furniture work in a way that suits your home!
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