A guide to some inventive home storage solutions

With homes becoming smaller, inventive storage solutions are the key to meet the growing requirement for storage areas. Home storage need not be expensive or elaborate. Inventive home storage requires the identification of potential places for storage and applying the most appropriate storage unit, shelving and racking. Read further for tips on some inventive storage solutions.

Reclaim lost spaces

If you were to have a careful inspection of your home, you would find that there are often niches and recesses which are redundant. Install a set of shutters over the niche and fit it out with storage racking systems to create a closet. If plan profiles are regular and free of niches, you can install window benches over the door storage. Window benches can have drawers and compartments for roomy storage space. The space below a flight of steps may be enclosed and cut-off by dry-walling. You can have an access cut-out in the dry-wall and utilise the space below the flight for miscellaneous storage or you can make it a shoes or broom closet. You can also reclaim the space occupied by walls and install full height shelving systems which also double up as room dividers. Steel racking and metal shelving in the garage can even be used to reclaim the ceiling space for suspended platform storage. Smaller cabinets can be fitted between wall studs for mini-storage.

Wall storage

Creative home storage ideas are oriented towards keeping the floor free so that the storage does not obstruct other activities. Wall organisers, whether they are in the form of fabric pocket organisers or pin-up boards, are great for providing handy storage which is easily viewed and accessed. Garage racking can treat an entire wall as storage space. Flexible storage racking systems allow baskets, shelves or trays to be snapped on at any location. Shelving solutions should allow customisation to suit your requirements.

Closet organisation

Whether it is fitted wardrobes or pantry closets, organisers can augment storage capacity. Stacked wardrobe boxes with neat labels can hold seasonal clothing or shoes. Accessory trays and drawer dividers can compartmentalise the space and allow more storage without compromising in organisation. Wire racking in bathrooms, kitchen cabinets or pantry closets is easy to clean and it is suitable for damp conditions. Put corner cabinets to use by installing revolving shelves.

Multi-purpose furniture

Beds with drawers can hold extra bedding. Ottoman stools and entryway benches can offer secure storage places. You can also customise a storage unit for another purpose. Use a blanket box or wooden trunk as a coffee table to make a unique statement while reducing the number of furniture pieces in the home. Inventive storage identifies, utilises and organises existing underused spaces in a home.