7 Spiffy Built-In Storage Systems That Work Almost Anywhere
Wondering how to add built-in storage to your home? This guide shows you the way
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
12 January 2021
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Devising effective storage systems for your home can seem like persevering in an endless exercise. However, with a little imagination, you can maximise every nook and corner to come up with storage solutions that actually work. Here’s a round-up of the top 10 built-in storage solutions that win in form and functionality.
Find out more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
Find out more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. Built-in cupboards…
Over a bed or desk, along an empty alcove, in the bedroom or across the living room; built-in cupboards work practically anywhere. Plus, as concealed storage systems, they help keep clutter behind closed doors –perfect if you’re not the neatest organiser!
See how this kids’ workstation benefits from an array of cupboards with variously sized cubbyholes.
Over a bed or desk, along an empty alcove, in the bedroom or across the living room; built-in cupboards work practically anywhere. Plus, as concealed storage systems, they help keep clutter behind closed doors –perfect if you’re not the neatest organiser!
See how this kids’ workstation benefits from an array of cupboards with variously sized cubbyholes.
…And cabinetry
In this all-white bedroom, the built-in cabinetry provides plentiful storage while blending into the overall aesthetic of the room.
In this all-white bedroom, the built-in cabinetry provides plentiful storage while blending into the overall aesthetic of the room.
Likewise, this wall-sweeping cabinet provides a pleasing backdrop to this dining room, giving its dwellers easy access to crockery.
These built-in cabinets for dining rooms serve up sophisticated storage
These built-in cabinets for dining rooms serve up sophisticated storage
2. Open shelves
Why not make storage pretty? Open shelves are versatile storage options, offering ample storage while dialling up the eye appeal.
In this Bangalore home, the open shelving system creates a charming frame around the central workstation, accenting the wall behind it.
Why not make storage pretty? Open shelves are versatile storage options, offering ample storage while dialling up the eye appeal.
In this Bangalore home, the open shelving system creates a charming frame around the central workstation, accenting the wall behind it.
This Mumbai living-cum-dining space uses open shelves as both a storage and a display device. Note how the variously arranged books double-hat as swish accents.
Tip: If you want the option of open shelving with concealed storage, consider using baskets along your shelves. This is also a great way to compartmentalise your belongings.
3. Under-sofa storage
The space under the sofa often goes to waste, seldom seeing the light of day. However, with elevated seating like in this home, you can cleverly accommodate under-sofa storage.
This living room offers the best of both worlds – lots of needed seating and well-planned storage.
See how designers incorporate stylish built-in storage with extra shelves, drawers and cabinets in these living rooms
The space under the sofa often goes to waste, seldom seeing the light of day. However, with elevated seating like in this home, you can cleverly accommodate under-sofa storage.
This living room offers the best of both worlds – lots of needed seating and well-planned storage.
See how designers incorporate stylish built-in storage with extra shelves, drawers and cabinets in these living rooms
4. Storage under the stairs…
If you live in a home with a staircase, where better to store stuff than under the stairs?
Open cubbyholes like in this home could work well if you have a penchant for visual displays and vignettes.
What to do with the area under the stairs?
If you live in a home with a staircase, where better to store stuff than under the stairs?
Open cubbyholes like in this home could work well if you have a penchant for visual displays and vignettes.
What to do with the area under the stairs?
5. …Or under the bed (for kids)
If you’re looking to add storage to a kids’ room, consider maximising the vertical space at hand. A bunk bed with storage underneath could be the ideal solution for encouraging your child to put things back where they belong.
See how these LEGO block lookalike storage devices make for a quirky addition to this bedroom.
Browsing bed designs with built-in storage?
If you’re looking to add storage to a kids’ room, consider maximising the vertical space at hand. A bunk bed with storage underneath could be the ideal solution for encouraging your child to put things back where they belong.
See how these LEGO block lookalike storage devices make for a quirky addition to this bedroom.
Browsing bed designs with built-in storage?
No bunk bed? No problem. Take inspiration from this bed, which hosts sleek drawers underneath.
6. Wall storage
A smart way to cover up beams and columns is to mask them with wall-clad cupboards. Not only does this make the cupboards seem remarkably invisible, it also unlocks precious negative space for the rest of the room.
A smart way to cover up beams and columns is to mask them with wall-clad cupboards. Not only does this make the cupboards seem remarkably invisible, it also unlocks precious negative space for the rest of the room.
7. Slide-out cabinets
If you feel like dedicating an entire wall to storage, slide-out cabinets are a worthwhile option, allowing you to reach the farthest sections effortlessly.
With a wall full of pull-out racks, this home is a lesson in vertical storage.
Read more:
16 Clever Ways With Built-In Storage
30 Built-In Cabinets & Shelves That Boost Storage and Style
Tell us:
Which of these built-in storage solutions would work best in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
If you feel like dedicating an entire wall to storage, slide-out cabinets are a worthwhile option, allowing you to reach the farthest sections effortlessly.
With a wall full of pull-out racks, this home is a lesson in vertical storage.
Read more:
16 Clever Ways With Built-In Storage
30 Built-In Cabinets & Shelves That Boost Storage and Style
Tell us:
Which of these built-in storage solutions would work best in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
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Slide out cabinets displayed at # 7. tend to get very heavy as they get occupied with such books etc. hence not practical. Regret having done them once upon a time.