Five tips for better storage
In the kitchen, lack of storage can drive you to distraction. A larder is ideal, but may not be an option in a small kitchen, where it’s really important to have clever storage and a well-designed layout. Kitchen showrooms and DIY stores can offer ingenious ways of making more of the space, including pull-out worktops, pull-out shelves/racks in larder units, carousels so you can easily access the back of corner units, and tall wall units that provide extra storage in kitchens with higher ceilings. Away from the kitchen, there’s potential to create storage space all over the home. Ideas include turning an understairs space into a cupboard, window seats with built-in storage, stairs that contain drawers, a vanity unit for extra bathroom storage, and built-in bookshelves and cupboards in alcoves – even a desk. With a bespoke home office, the space can be tailor-made for your computer, printer, files and more. Some of the best storage is, of course, your home’s loft. If you need to access it often, fitting a large loft hatch with a built-in ladder will make it much easier. You’ll also need to board the loft (if it’s not already boarded) before storing things up there. Use sheets of chipboard, or chipboard loft boards, which slot together. ‘Soft’ insulation (in rolls), such as mineral wool, shouldn’t be compressed, though, so use loft legs to raise the floor level above the insulation – the recommended depth for mineral wool is 27cm. Another option is to lay rolls of insulation between the joists, put rigid insulation over them and chipboard on top – some rigid insulation has a chipboard top layer.