- danipyantinteriors
7 Simple storage solutions for your new home
Updated: May 31, 2022
Let’s face it, most houses in the UK are not known for their generous size and when it comes to new builds they seem to get smaller and smaller. If you have a large house with endless amounts of storage you can consider yourself very lucky! If you’re like me and you’re not blessed with an abundance of cupboards, a large loft space or basement - you have to get a bit more creative.
Often when moving into or redecorating a smaller home or apartment, it can be tricky to slot everything in and find space for it all. It’s no secret that new builds in particular often lack any decent kind of storage and one of the most common things clients say to me is that they would like everything to have a home. To have a feeling of space and remove unsightly clutter. The solution to this, rather unsurprisingly, is storage. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - you can never have too much of it!
As a passionate designer of new build homes and spaces that need organising, I am sharing some easy solutions for maximising storage. These ideas are not limited to new builds, and could in fact be applied to any home or apartment - large or small! Hopefully you will feel inspired to give your home a refresh and get organised. I can promise you, you will feel 10 x better for it!
1. Make clever use of wall space
Free up precious counter space in your kitchen by making the most out of your walls. Open shelving or additional cabinets can totally transform a space. Get creative with your styling - hooks for mugs, glassware, your nicest serving dishes stacked up - all of these items not only look great but will make the space feel more homely. If you’re really tight for cupboard space think about hanging rails to hang pots and pans.
Wall storage solutions don’t have to end there - floating sideboards, bedside tables and even TV units can be the perfect addition to smaller living or bedroom spaces. By freeing up valuable floor space, you create the illusion of the room being bigger than it actually is.
2. Organise your existing cupboards and drawers
One of the best ways to improve your storage space is to make your existing cupboards work harder for you. Often, there will be drawers or cabinets that aren’t being utilised to their full potential. Drawer organisers, shelf inserts or dividers can mean that you can double up on the amount of things you can store - and as an added bonus helps to keep everything in its rightful place!
3. Invest in multi-purpose furniture
There are so many clever designs available for furniture with integrated storage - so clever in fact, that often, you won’t even know it was there just from looking at it.
Storage ottomans, bathroom mirrors with hidden shelving, head boards with storage in the sides, pull out desks that double up as shelving and sideboards - the list goes on. It’s certainly worth doing some research if you are looking for new furniture and want to maximise your storage options.
If you aren’t looking to replace items - use baskets, boxes and purpose-made storage bags for under beds or on top of wardrobes. The perfect place to keep seasonal clothes, shoes, bedding or toys to free up essential space elsewhere!
4. Bespoke joinery
You may find you have a small nook that is hard to source furniture that fits. Make use of small alcoves with floating shelves, window seats with lift-up lids for storing shoes in hallways, media walls for hiding TVs, displaying books and photo frames (and if you’re a mum or dad - shoving toys out of sight at the end of the day!). You could even make use of the space around the doors with some clever shelving for plants and other nik-naks.
5. Use baskets for quick tidy ups
Rattan baskets are the perfect solution for a quick tidy up at the end of a long day. Label them with everyone’s names and you can throw all their belongings in whilst keeping your home neat and tidy and looking stylish.
6. Moveable trolley
If you’re tight on space in a kitchen or bathroom, a moveable trolley could be just the answer! The perfect place to store all your daily essentials and you can wheel it around so that it is never in the way!
You could even make a cute cocktail bar or have it as a craft station for the kids - the uses are endless!
7. Storage ladder for blankets/throws etc
If you’re looking for somewhere chic and stylish to store blankets and throws when not in use - look no further. Get yourself a storage ladder and you can simply throw them over. Not only does it look great but it serves a useful purpose too - now that is my kind of ladder.
You could even use one in the bathroom for towels and throwing clothes over when in the shower!
Thanks for reading along - let me know if you try any of my tips, I’d love to hear from you! As always, info@danipyant.com or comment below. See you again soon!