If you’ve ever moved home, you probably know the feeling. Stood in an empty room, with all your worldly possessions crammed into sealed cardboard boxes, the inevitable question pops into your head – “where on Earth do I put all this stuff?”
Let’s face it – storage isn’t the most glamorous subject. It’s often viewed as a chore with a rather mundane goal: finding manageable space for the multitude of objects you’ve accumulated over the years and making sure your house is free of clutter. However, with a little creative thinking it can become a fun aspect of interior design, providing a theme, focal point or signature feature that transcends its basic function. With that in mind, we’ve put together a selection of home storage ideas that might get you thinking outside the box…
Refresh with mesh
Mesh storage units are commonly associated with warehouses and factories, but why not transpose the industrial look into the home? As well as being robust, they can bring a metallic counterpoint to a room dominated by softer, natural tones. They’re also a practical option for children’s rooms – kids have a tendency to misplace their toys, but mesh will keep them all in plain sight!
More than just storage
Sometimes, the best storage is the kind that makes the space work harder. In other words, it’s more than just storage. On ottoman is an ideal example – as well as providing a tidy container for assorted items, this versatile classic works as a coffee table, side table or even a bench providing extra seating for guests. Ottomans come in a huge variety of styles, from shabby chic to basket weave, so you won’t be short of options to fit the aesthetic of your room. Similarly, a footrest is another multi-tasking piece that can function as inconspicuous storage.
Ladders are on the rise
When it comes to storage solutions, a ladder certainly wouldn’t be the first object to spring to mind. However, it’s an increasingly popular option for storing fabrics, from throws in the lounge to towels in the bathroom and scarves or clothes in the bedroom. You could opt for sharp, chic white or an unfinished rustic style. Laddered shelving units are also popular, providing free-standing storage which is easily portable and avoids the hassle of fixing shelves onto walls. Which brings us to the next subject…
Shelving needn’t be off-the-shelf
Putting up shelves is one of those uninspiring household tasks that very few of us relish. Choosing them in the first place is often hampered by a similar lack of inspiration, but it needn’t be that way. It helps to escape traditional thinking and try something inventive. Experiment with different shapes, such as a triangle hung from its apex. For an easy way to achieve the distressed look, find an old wooden crate, remove the base, apply a lick of white paint and fix it to your wall as a bespoke box shelf. If you shop around, you can also find off-the-shelf designs providing aesthetic imagination. The below example is all-in-one unit that branches out, mixing sharp angles and straight lines with a sprawling, organic feel that creates an eye-catching wall feature as much as it creates storage space.
Maximise storage with a high sleeper
A bunk bed is an excellent way to maximise floor space in a bedroom shared by two children, but similar efficiency can be applied to a single-occupancy bedroom. As well as being fun for kids, a ‘high sleeper’ opens up ample storage space below the bed, often in the form of built-in shelves, drawers or desks.
Think long-term in the kitchen
Whilst most rooms allow you to adapt and adjust your storage over time, the kitchen is a space where your initial choice is likely to have more permanence. Storage is integral to the installation of a kitchen, so it can’t really be treated as an afterthought. That’s why it’s important to think long-term and carefully consider everyday practicalities before you make any decisions. Orion Homes use specialist experts in kitchen design, so our kitchens are always specified and fitted with a range of high-quality units to make storage easy and efficient. We can also offer upgrades from our Finishing Touches range, which include beech upgrade cutlery trays and kitchen drawer dividers, Le Mans pull-out kitchen corner shelves and pull-out larder units. The Finishing Touches range also applies to bathroom with luxury vanity units providing stylish under-sink storage.
Box clever with re-purposed items
We’ve already touched on the potential of old items given a new lease of life with a clever twist. It’s certainly fertile ground for innovative storage solutions. Reclaimed items can often be re-purposed to become unique pieces. Something you wouldn’t expect to find in the home can become quirky storage space with a refreshing break from convention. You could convert a disused school locker into a cabinet or refurbish an old trunk or pallet to create a coffee table. With a dash of ingenuity, all of kinds of non-domestic containers can be transformed into unorthodox furniture for the home.
When it comes to creative storage, the best ideas are the product of imagination, vision and clear thinking about how to utilise the space – an uncluttered mind often leads to an uncluttered home.
