For many of us, life involves accumulating a certain amount of memorabilia along the way. And although a more ruthless person may consider it clutter and have regular clear outs along the way, for many, it is hard to say “goodbye” to that netball trophy, or the ornament from your first holiday together.
The problem is, as our precious possessions increase, storage in newer builds tends to be dropping dramatically, which means that those moving into new homes may need to get ruthless or get creative. Here are some top tips from interior experts and carpenters.
Make the most of under the stairs
If you live in a house with stairs, there is likely to be plenty of untapped storage potential for you to take advantage of. Even the smallest under-stair space can be used. Options include utility cupboard with a simple single door, or you can make the most out of even the lowest areas with a series of shelves and drawers at various heights. A clever carpenter will be able to make you roll-out drawers to fit the space, or create bespoke shelving to meet your needs.
Invest in bespoke shelving
Heading to your local furniture shop may be your first thought when trying to get a handle of the clutter, but one-size-fits-all pieces may not quite cut it, particularly if you have limited and quirky space to work with. A carpenter or interior expert will have a huge amount of experience and knowledge; ask them for advice on how you can make the most of every small recess or void.
Make every feature count
By making your furniture multi-task, you can more than double its impact. Sneak storage space into your headboard if space is at a premium in your bedroom. Add a compact side table to your kitchen for your “junk” (keys, sunglasses, devices and chargers) so that they don’t take up precious prep space. Turn seats under your window into blanket or games storage. Make the back of your doors work harder by adding mirrors and/or hooks. The key here is to avoid cramming every available blank space with stuff, while making the most of the space that you have; it is a fine balance but a designer may be able to provide you with inspiration. If a designer isn’t an option, search online for design inspiration!
Create a multi-media wall.
If you don’t want to add a television table to a spatially challenged living room, a multi-media wall could be the answer to your problems. While the wall may take a few inches off the floor space, the absence of clutter, not to mention lashings of storage space for electronics and accessories, will actually make the room feel more spacious.
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