NOOKS AND CRANNIES
Uncovering hidden storage space
Homeowners never seem to have enough storage space, no matter how large a condo or home they buy. Yet most of us overlook areas in our homes where, with a little creativity, extra space can be carved out, even in the tiniest spots. All it takes is some expert advice and some imagination.
Before you move into the decorative phase, look at the bones of your new condo or home and see where you can maximize, said Lori Anders, of LoriAndersDesign.com.
“If it’s pre- construction, ask to have your upper kitchen cabinetry extended up to the ceiling,” she said. “It’s a very worthwhile addition; aside from looking much nicer, you gain an extra two feet of storage up there for the things you don’t use regularly.
“You could also run a shelf 22 inches from the ceiling all around the perimeter of any room so you’re using the height for extra storage space.”
Consider purchasing ready- made furniture with concealed compartments, Anders added, such as beds with drawers underneath or mattresses that flip up to reveal open storage below.
“These have been around for years, but the mechanisms have gotten much better. They’re lighter and easier to use now.
“Some headboards have a bookshelf built in on the side, which is great if you don’t have room for a night table.”
Anders also recommends investing in your closets by hiring a closet designer to outfit the space according to your needs.
“You can have a huge closet, but if it’s not being used properly, then it’s a waste of space,” she said.
Cynthia Hyde, owner and custom storage designer at Simplespace.ca, said today’s buyers need more than closets featuring just one shelf and a rod, because they want to store their things efficiently and attractively.
“Whether you’ve bought a condo that hasn’t been built yet, or you’ve just moved into a new home, take your dimensions to a designer’s showroom to see what options are available and what it would cost, or have them come to the home,” said Hyde, whose company designs and builds walk- in closets, builtins and other storage solutions.
“Have an idea of what you want to store: How many inches of long and short hanging things do you need? How many purses and pairs of shoes do you have?
“Some clients have special bins they want us to work around; others want a sleek, spacious look like a boutique.”
For cramped entryways with tiny closets or none at all, Hyde recom- mends a custom piece designed to fit a slice of nearby wall space, with hooks and closed storage. The cost — about $ 1,200 — adds value to your home that will more than pay for itself when you resell, said Lucie Pitt, a designer and home stager with VersaStyleDesign.com.
“Every single buyer has clutter at their home; they’re always looking for places with more storage, and they’ll fall in love with a house that has it,” said Pitt, who recently designed a hallway bench with a large hole on the side to house the cat’s litter box.
In the kitchen, Pitt recommends opting for slim, retractable panels in between lower cabinets, rather than a panel with wasted space behind it.
“If you can get a vertical panel that you can pull out next to the stove, for instance, you can put some trays in there, or make shelves for spices or niches for utensils,” she said.
“And instead of eating areas with four chairs, have a banquette made with pullout drawers underneath, where you can store little- used items.”
If you’re stuck with a small footprint in the bathroom, open up the walls and add in shelving for bathroom products and cleaning supplies, and cover it up with a mirrored door, Pitt suggested.
“In bedroom, hallway and vestibule closets, make the opening bigger, because the closets are always wider than the opening — sometimes by a full two feet on either side,” she said. “It’s a dark abyss in there — you can’t use it! It’s not an expensive endeavour, but the accessibility and functionality really adds value.”
Every single buyer has clutter at their home ... and they’ll fall in love with a house that has ( more storage).
LUCIE PITT