Storage solutions with style
Your home is first and foremost for living in, and should be filled with items which you love. But what happens when your possessions take up too much space? By maximising your storage you can have a clutter-free home without sacrificing the things you love.
The first rule in minimising clutter is not to allow unwanted items to collect in the first place. At least twice a year take a long look at your possessions and dispense with clothes you haven’t worn in months, out of date paperwork, and any other odds and ends that have collected since your last big clear-out.
Try not to hang on to items which are of no use or value. An easy rule of thumb is, if you don’t use it and it is of no significant sentimental value, throw it out, or better still recycle it.
If this process leaves a lot of bits and bobs that have no home, don’t despair. By using shelves, ornamental boxes, baskets, and other handy space savers you can have your clutter sorted in no time.
Shelves are ideal for storing books and ornaments, and can be used for myriad small items stored in attractive boxes. A blanket box is ideal for toys, clothes, and other items as well as blankets. The bonus of a blanket box is it can be used in any room in the house by adding a few accessories to turn it into a coffee table or window seat.
However clothes, paperwork, and very small items can look untidy if stored on open shelves. One way around this is to place these items in ornamental boxes, desk tidies, or file holders.
The best way to store clothes is out of sight, but resist the urge to cram everything into drawers where they will be out of sight and never worn.
Children’s toys have a habit of turning up all over the house, so an attractive wooden box or wicker basket makes an ideal receptacle for stray toys which find their way into the living room. Stackable plastic boxes are durable, and can save a lot of space if used for storing toys in the bedroom.
Storage tips
• Go low - simple, streamlined low-level storage is less obtrusive and won’t take up half as much space as boxy wardrobe style storage.
• If space in the kitchen is tight, go shaker style and hang your furniture from peg rails on the wall when not in use.
• Store cleaning essentials in willow baskets. As well as looking nice, it will make it easy to carry all the necessary cleaners from room to room during your spring clean.
• No matter how small your bathroom there is always room for storage somewhere - under the sink or over the toilet. Have a look around and think ‘outside of the box’.
• Create a space in the kitchen with a trolley that can be wheeled out of the way when necessary. Use it to store fruit, vegetables, and kitchen utensils or even to provide work surfaces.
• Personalise cupboards and drawers in children’s rooms to encourage them to be tidy. Stencil their names above coat hooks in the hall, or paint a brightly coloured design onto their bedroom furniture. It will give them a great sense of ownership and encourage them to keep their mess in order.
