But we could all be making the most of the space we have with clever little storage hack ideas. Which could give us back our living spaces. It is not just about identifying where we could have storage spaces in our homes it's about how we can utilise the spaces to make them work better for us.
Making storage space is one of those things that we all say we will get around to doing and before we know if we are living in a cluttered and disorganised home. There are so many simple solutions we can put in place to solve these problems. Say goodbye to tripping over toys or annoying junk in your life and say hello to a more organised and relaxing space in your home.
Let's delve into simple tricks and tips on how you can get creative with storage in your home.
1. Storage Tables
Most of us have coffee tables in our living rooms or side tables by our beds. All too often they are just that tables. However, if you replace these with a vintage chest, a purpose-built storage table, or a small shelving unit, then you will increase your storage space without actually ridding yourself of any more floor space. This is also a fun opportunity to upcycle an old box or crate to create your own, homemade storage-efficient coffee table!
2. Under Stair Storage
Under the stairs! Yet another neglected area in our houses. It is true that many under stair areas do have a cupboard in place, but these are often not making the most of the space available. There are so many awesome solutions and ideas out there about how to create great under-stair storage. With Purpose-built racking or pull-out drawers, mini office spaces, wardrobes, and even workshops, the options are endless. Utilise your under-stair space today!
Most of us have coffee tables in our living rooms or side tables by our beds. All too often they are just that tables. However, if you replace these with a vintage chest, a purpose-built storage table, or a small shelving unit, then you will increase your storage space without actually ridding yourself of any more floor space. This is also a fun opportunity to upcycle an old box or crate to create your own, homemade storage-efficient coffee table!
2. Under Stair Storage
Under the stairs! Yet another neglected area in our houses. It is true that many under stair areas do have a cupboard in place, but these are often not making the most of the space available. There are so many awesome solutions and ideas out there about how to create great under-stair storage. With Purpose-built racking or pull-out drawers, mini office spaces, wardrobes, and even workshops, the options are endless. Utilise your under-stair space today!
3. Ceiling Height Shelving
There are several areas of dead space commonly found in our homes. By this, we mean areas of rooms that are commonly not used for anything at all. One of these places is the area of the wall between the top of our standard units and the ceiling. So, if you are going to have shelving, use all the space you have and make them reach right up to the ceiling, and, whilst you are at it, right to the edges of your wall or alcove! This has a surprising impact on the amount of storage space you can get out of a shelving unit.
4. Hooks
Hooks are a really simple addition to any home. They are great tools for storage for a number of reasons; they utilise some of that empty space that wouldn’t otherwise be used for anything. Hooks are cheap and easy to install. They are versatile and can be used to get so many things up out of the way, including coats, hats, towels, mugs, bags, pans and shoes.
These new additions to your wall also help to create texture, colour and interest in a wall that might otherwise be boring. Who said these have to be boring you can get a variety of fun and interesting hooks why not make them more of a feature in your home.
5. Headboard Drawers
The headboard of your bed is probably not the first place you would go to when thinking about adding storage to your home. However, it is a great place to add storage for this very reason; it is not space you will already have taken up, or that you will miss once it has been utilised! You could build an entire shelving unit that reaches to the ceiling in place of your headboard or even replaces your headboard with a bed-width drawer unit with the drawers facing outwards of course!
6. Under Bed Storage
From the head of the bed, to underneath it! Under the bed has got a bit of a bad reputation; it’s where we tend to sling bits and bobs without any regard for space efficiency. However, there are many storage boxes on the market perfect for slipping under the bed. No matter how much height you have to play with, there is a box that will fit your needs. Great for storing shoes, clothing, bedding and baggage.
5. Headboard Drawers
The headboard of your bed is probably not the first place you would go to when thinking about adding storage to your home. However, it is a great place to add storage for this very reason; it is not space you will already have taken up, or that you will miss once it has been utilised! You could build an entire shelving unit that reaches to the ceiling in place of your headboard or even replaces your headboard with a bed-width drawer unit with the drawers facing outwards of course!
6. Under Bed Storage
From the head of the bed, to underneath it! Under the bed has got a bit of a bad reputation; it’s where we tend to sling bits and bobs without any regard for space efficiency. However, there are many storage boxes on the market perfect for slipping under the bed. No matter how much height you have to play with, there is a box that will fit your needs. Great for storing shoes, clothing, bedding and baggage.
This is a wonderful trick, especially if you have a large and uninteresting room to play with. Divide up your space with walls made from open shelving units and display cabinets. These are cheap, easy to find and simple to build.
Instead of putting them flat to the wall, place them at protruding angles from the wall in order to not only create storage but also to create a snug area in your large room. This is particularly good in a space such as a lounge/dining room, or a shared bedroom for children. These also help to create zones in a room whilst still allowing light and air to flow through freely.
8. Your vehicles
How often do you jump in your car or van and think yuk what a mess? A lot of you are like me. But there are really convenient solutions,
For your car
You can get over-seat storage pockets, These hang on the back of the seats with separate pockets for storing different items. Very handy for children's snacks and games.
You can also utilise storage boxes and under-seat storage bags to keep all your items nice and tidy. If you do not use your boot there are a lot of custom boot storage solutions options.
For your van
I have a van conversion. I have built van racking into the back this way I can make better use of the dead space in the van. I have fitted shelves and storage boxes within the racking. This keeps all the important items safe when travelling and organised when I need them. Van racking is very affordable and essential if you have a van conversion like me. Vans are small and you need to have them organised for them to be functional living spaces.
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