• MAKE A HOUSE A HOME
Create a sense of ease and order with simple storage tips that keep your home organised and your mind clear
Keep your home organised
CURATE CORRIDOR CLUTTER
To keep the flow through a hallway, go for an open console with shelves or drawers over chunky furniture pieces. Use the shelves to store blankets and scarves, using baskets to hide shoes. Giving everything a home makes it easy for everyone in the family to tidy up. Coat hooks are ideal for jackets you use every day, but try not to overcrowd the hooks, and edit the selection seasonally.
CUPBOARD BUDDIES
Hanging storage shelf, £3.50, Wilko. Variera shelf insert, £3, Ikea. Laundry capsules container, £15.99, Zara Home
THE ART OF FOLDING
Start by organising linens and towels by category. Bundle bedding sets when they are put away, either by tying them together with string or ribbon or storing the set inside one of the corresponding pillowcases. For small towels, flannels and additional pillowcases, stack them on their thinnest end, stored in labelled baskets rather than piles, making it easy to pull the basket out without disturbing everything else.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
Maximise hanging space in a wardrobe by using skinny hangers for shirts and removing bulky items, such as jeans, to store folded on shelves instead. Ensure long items are hung at one side to free up space for a small shelving unit or drawers. Use these spaces to organise smaller items, such as rolled T-shirts and scarves, or to stack shoes and sandals, adding boxes for jewellery or belts.
GATHER BITS AND BOBS
Designate jars and boxes or add a hanging basket to hooks in the hallway to store spare change, pens, batteries – all those miscellaneous items that end up cluttering surfaces or drawers.
USEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL
Natural rattan three-tier storage stand, £225, Ella James. Aqua Nova Lubin storage basket, £15, Amara. Elizabeth jar, £35, Hunter & Co. Vintage-style numbered bottles, £12 for five, Rockett St George
STATEMENT SHELVING
Be brave and paint not just the shelves a dark colour, but behind them, too. To style them, group similar items together to create vignettes, ensuring there’s a variety of shapes and sizes, leaving space around them so the eye rests on the display. To keep shelving uncluttered, maximise space inside cupboards by using under-shelf baskets, stacking shelf inserts or racks for pans, lids or baking trays.
CALM AND COLLECTED
Decanting frequently used items into matching jars will create a uniform look. Try to use up what you have before buying new to avoid too many bottles cluttering up the bath or shower ledge. Have a clear out of the bathroom cupboard, too.
TREAT THE SENSES
Iris Hantverk cedar balls, £5, Arket. Morris & Co scented drawer liners, £10 for five, Heathcote & Ivory. Scented oval, £45, Diptyque
FLEXIBLE PIECES
A trolley can be a flexible friend, and the thin frame and minimalist design makes it perfect for small spaces. When not in use, create a display with your bottles and glasses, adding a plant, vase, lamp or candle. It will work in the kitchen as an over-flow piece, in the bathroom for stacked towels and toiletry bottles, and in an office or hallway.
SPACE SAVER
In utility spaces, bathrooms or even teenager’s bedrooms, the back of the door can be prime storage space. And because you can easily see what you have, you’ll be more inclined to use it up and not over-buy. This easy-to-reach storage is ideal for items that are in constant use, such as washing detergents and tea towels, while less-used cleaning items can be stored away.
OUR EXPERT SAYS…
❝ HAVING AN ORGANISED HOME WILL REDUCE TIME SPENT CLEANING AND ALLOW YOU TO ENJOY YOUR SURROUNDINGS MORE❞ VICKY SILVERTHORN, PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER, YOUNEEDAVICKY.COM