If your possessions are outgrowing your living space, you’re not alone. Sometimes it’s just clutter that ought to be discarded, like piles of outdated magazines or worn out clothes. Often though, things we love and can’t bear to part with surround us. These special things make finding suitable storage hard. Here are some ideas to help you get the most from your living space:
Space Enhancing Furnishings
If you can see under, through or round a piece of furniture, it makes the area seem more spacious. Sofas on legs, glass topped tables or floating shelves in place of free standing book or CD stands all help to make the floor seem bigger.
Storage furnishings like lift-top coffee tables, side tables with drawers, or storage stools, all help control common living room clutter such as TV remotes or games consoles. If space is really tight, look for folding tables and chairs you can tuck away when you don’t need them. Drop leaf dining tables, for instance, take up almost no space when folded down. Some include a storage compartment that holds folding chairs.
Take storage furniture into the bedroom too. Here, you could opt for an ottoman bed with a lift up mattress or a divan with built in storage. If you prefer a bed frame, wheeled storage boxes are ideal as they keep items dust free and are easy to pull in and out. Use them for spare bedding or toys in children’s rooms.
Hidden and Vertical Space
Corners are neglected areas we tend to ‘round off’ with chairs or a TV unit. Alcoves or other awkward spaces also get neglected. Corner shelves are great storage additions, and can also be used for accent lighting to help with mood and ambiance, as well as creating display areas.
Storage spaces such as under stair cupboards may not be huge, but with a few shelves, hooks or rails they can help to organise all kinds of things from shoes to cleaning products. If space in the kitchen is restricted, consider a row of baskets (wire mesh are ideal as you can see what’s in them) on top of wall cabinets. The baskets look neat, and are easier to retrieve than individual items.
Seasonal Storage Ideas
Taking a seasonal approach can help with identifying which items you don’t need right now. Things to consider include out-of-season clothes, lawn mowers and paddling pools during the winter, snow boots and overcoats in the height of summer, Christmas decorations and trees, discarded larger toys, sports equipment… the list of things we only use at certain times of the year is almost endless. Pack summer and winter items separately in clearly labelled cardboard boxes or plastic tubs so you have all your seasonal items to hand.
Keeping everything at home, even when it won’t be used for several months, is a waste of valuable space. Many people are turning to storage units to clear the decks at home. Without being tied into long contracts, you can get a storage unit as small as a locker or big enough for a house full of belongings.
While the space advantages are obvious, a perk not often realised is how fresh things seem when you return to them after a few weeks or months. They either become extra precious when you rediscover them, or you realise they’re not so special after all and you’re more comfortable with letting them go.
Decor Tips
As well as finding physical storage places, there are some things you can do to help give the appearance of more space. These include hanging mirrors opposite windows to bounce more natural light around the room, and installing additional side and accent lamps in place of one overhead ceiling light.
If you’re redecorating, experts advise to paint door frames and skirting boards the same colour as walls. This makes a room seem larger because it creates a single flow of colour instead of dividing the room into distinct blocks. With home décor improvements and clever storage ideas and solutions, it’s possible to make even the smallest of living spaces appear much more spacious.
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