15 Ways to Add Storage to Every Room
/I’m not sure we could recall the number of times clients have protested their lack of storage in their home. Funny enough, we hear this from couples with small condos, AND from couples/families with large homes in the suburbs.
We never have enough SPACE for all of our STUFF do we ?!
Here are a few tricks and Design hacks we’ve collected along the way, to help you stretch the usage of every last square foot.
Hallway Credenzas
Useful for just about everything entry & exit- a catch-all for keys, gloves, mitts, letters, gifts, purses, umbrellas. Basically this piece manages the “comings and goings” of the household.
Although tempting to keep the hallway open and unobstructed, the usefulness of a credenza can outweigh the feeling of airiness.
2. Banquette Seating/ Under Window Cabinets
Wherever there is a large window, we always wonder whether a long bench beneath would be helpful. Serving as extra seating, a cozy book nook, and, ultimately, housing storage below.
3. Kid’s Centre
Harmonize a kid’s play area by focusing it around 1 piece of furniture that acts as a Multi-platform. Something that can hold books & bins for toys, all-the-while looking pretty ( of course ! )
4. Radiator Covers
If you are in an old house, you know those radiators take up a lot of space. Creating Radiator Covers, enables you to at least, have a useable “surface”, atop.
5. Wallmounted Pots & Pan Holders
We all know this one, as the look has become increasingly popular. But, it takes a bunch of useful items, out of your cabinets, and keeps them “at-the-ready” for your next cooking event. Plus, we love the visual of something unique, like this Copper one.
6. Mudroom Built-Ins
We do TONS of these. There’s nothing nicer than walking in and having a “Spot” for everything. And for every family member !
7. Recessed Medicine Cabinets
One of our favourite Storage Solutions for the bathroom comes down to a neatly recessed Medicine Cabinet to house all the small, important things. When closed, it’s a seamless look.
8. Smart Vanities
Not all vanities are created equa! We do many custom pieces for clients that are tailored to their specific storage needs. Often we add in GFI’s, blowdryer & curling iron holders, pull out drawers & dividers, all made to spec.
9. Built-In Bookshelves
We love building these to flank doorways, windows & media units. Essentially the bookcase is a super-useful “wall”. You can have some fun with these, painting them out in vivid colours, or wallpapering the back, or simply painting them to match the other walls.
10. Creative Bedroom Set-ups
If you have a good carpenter ( ah-hm, ah-hm ), you can really get creative in the build-out of your kids’ bedroom. With enough cabinets, all the toys just might make their way off the floor ( or not ! )
11. Cabinets Under the Stairs
This useless little space can easily be transformed into prime real estate. Custom cabinetry that follows the staircase can be used for dead storage ( think - old bins of paperwork, and things you basically NEVER access ), or for Wine Storage ( we just did this for a client ! ), or extra toys, cleaning supplies….you name it.
12. Deck Seating
Let’s not forget the outdoors. If you are going to the trouble to build some wood seating on the deck, consider making some of it dual-purpose, with pull-out drawers. Here you can keep outdoor dining placemats, beach towels, outdoor toys, pool toys, umbrellas, outdoor blankets, and more.
13. Wrap-Around Shelves
We challenge you to think non-linearly when it comes to shelving ! Sometimes, shelves can go longer, and wrap further, than you might think. Doing this can often create a “nook” or a deliberate “space” in the home, that connotes a certain vibe, or sets the tone for a certain activity.
14. Dual-Purpose Furniture
Anything that serves as a “surface” and a “storage container” is aces in our books ! Ottomans or coffee tables with storage (like this one from CB2) are often exceedingly useful in small spaces.
15. Double Workstations
The #WFH Office, now oh-so-coveted, can be built for 2, as easily as it is for one. Employing principles of symmetry & a plethora of built-ins or shelves, you can get everyone’s STUFF into one unified Home Office.
