Plan to perfection
Get organised, select practical storage and your space will be transformed
It’s a wonderful feeling when
the house is well organised and you can easily lay your hands on any item you need.
Although getting the right storage in place is an important part of the process, decluttering comes first, so before investing in new
furniture, clear the decks then review of the possessions you’re keeping. If similar
items are scattered around
the house, decide on a
dedicated spot for them.
A new arrangement
Before investing in furniture take an overview by using an online planner (try Ikea) or drawing up a sketch plan of the room, to scale, on squared paper, including any alcoves or a fireplace. Mark on windows and doors, plus the direction that doors open, and any fixtures such as radiators. Make a note of the ceiling height. Cutting out paper furniture shapes to scale and trying them on the paper plan will enable you to
work out the best arrangement.
Get clever with design, turning awkward corners to advantage, boxing out wall alcoves with cupboards, or
filling a shallow niche with display shelving. Furniture with flat-fronted doors with pressure catches rather than handles gives a streamlined look.
Or opt for sliding doors so they won’t encroach into the room when opened. Look
out too for furniture with storage potential, such as an ottoman bed.
All-in-one option
Consider creating a storage wall – the on-trend way to deal with clutter. Include a mix of open shelves and cupboards and ensure it’s adaptable enough to take the TV as well as provide display space. Incorporate lighting within the shelves to make it a real showstopper.
The trend for open-plan spaces means losing some of the walls that could have included
storage, but room divider
shelving comes to the rescue
– it’s ideal for zoning a large space into separate areas to cater for different activities, and will also let light filter through. It needs to be fixed in place so it can’t topple over.
Even a coffee table can become a useful focal point.
‘Many people prefer a statement coffee table that occupies a lot of room,’ says Nadia McCowan Hill, style expert at Wayfair. ‘Opting for
one with storage compartments is a great way to maximise your space.’ For a softer look, choose an ottoman or blanket box for the bedroom or living room. ‘Upholster it in an eyecatching fabric and keep it at the foot of the bed or use as a window
seat,’ says Sarah Massouh, founder of Willow & Hall.
Access all areas
When planning a new kitchen, the most important point is to arrange storage around the flow of activity, keeping items close to where they’re needed. Including the latest ergonomically designed units ensures you won’t be reaching at full stretch for ingredients. For instance, Second Nature’s iMove pull-down system for wall units has a drop handle that brings an upper shelf downwards within easy reach. In the newest larder units, drawers are tucked away behind a door, so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for.
‘The larder can be customised to suit your needs, and its contents can be accessed from three sides, while inner dividers keep everything in order,’ says David Roy of Schmidt Kitchens. In both kitchens and bathrooms, drawers are now better organised, with internal pullouts within deeper drawers, ensuring everything’s to hand.
For quick fixes, consider a hanging rail by the hob for
utensils, extra hooks or shelves within cupboards and adjustable drawer dividers.
Space-making tricks
Unless your bathroom is spacious, large freestanding
storage furniture just isn’t an option. Today’s sleekest bathrooms, large or small, feature wall-hung furniture. It has just as much storage
space as more traditional fitted options, but shows more floor, for a less enclosed feel.
A wall-hung basin unit topped by a mirrored cabinet can be the focal point of the room. Open shelving works for those items you reach for every day. Choose unobtrusive shallow glass ones that won’t close in the space and use the back of doors by including hanging storage racks.
Made to measure
Fitted storage is the ideal solution if you intend to be staying in your home long-term. Whether it’s for a bedroom, home office or living room, it can be a great problem solver as it can be built into alcoves or beneath sloping ceilings.
A ‘front frame’ wardrobe uses the wall as the back, while ‘full carcase’ wardrobes have a back. The interior doesn’t need to consist of the usual arrangement of full-length hanging space but could include space for holiday gear or sports equipment, hanging rails on two levels, or drawers beneath a rail.
Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes can offer a huge amount of storage, though bear in mind the aesthetics of the design. ‘In larger rooms, break up a run of wardrobes with some open shelving or a dressing table area,’ says Rachal Hutcheson, bedroom design expert at Sharps.