8 Guaranteed Space Saving Solutions
Why choose between keeping your grand parents' cutlery or your children's baby clothes when you can now store them all
We value our storage and always want a lot more of it. We collect items over the years which we can’t seem to discard. After years of building a household, how does one get rid of a lifetime of treasures and memories? Here is a list of space saving hacks that will help lessen your anxiety about what to throw and what to keep.
Tip: Get organised with a refreshing under-the-bed solution. For any book lover who hates parting with even a magazine, here is a built-in bookshelf that gives you easy access to your next night-time read. All you need to do is stretch out and grab it from under your bed. Bed storage is extremely versatile; you could even add pull-out drawers behind the bookshelf to keep all your family heirlooms safe and accessible.
2. Choose wall-to-wall shelving
For the amount of stuff we collect, Indian households are prone to clutter. Instead of buying several different pieces of furniture, save space by purchasing one that offers maximum and clever storage options. For instance, an open wall-to-wall unit has been installed in this living room, which houses all the small curios and books. You can add a sliding door to a portion to hide away some of the items like extra linen.
For the amount of stuff we collect, Indian households are prone to clutter. Instead of buying several different pieces of furniture, save space by purchasing one that offers maximum and clever storage options. For instance, an open wall-to-wall unit has been installed in this living room, which houses all the small curios and books. You can add a sliding door to a portion to hide away some of the items like extra linen.
3. Exploit dead space
This is an oldie but a goody. Every nook and corner counts. Don’t just put up hooks or a shelf near the front door, if you have an empty wall put in a floating cupboard. Given its proximity to the living room, this becomes an especially ideal space to store all your utility-bill-paperwork.
Tip: Allow the space to still seem large and reduce cutting down on the volume by opting for a white or light-toned cupboard and a few open shelves.
This is an oldie but a goody. Every nook and corner counts. Don’t just put up hooks or a shelf near the front door, if you have an empty wall put in a floating cupboard. Given its proximity to the living room, this becomes an especially ideal space to store all your utility-bill-paperwork.
Tip: Allow the space to still seem large and reduce cutting down on the volume by opting for a white or light-toned cupboard and a few open shelves.
4. Look overhead
Overhead cupboards can be your home’s best friend. They allow you to store things in places that are out-of-sight, but still not so hidden that they become out-of-mind. Being overhead, they won’t block your view, nor occupy floor space. But make sure to have them within reach, so you can easily access the crockery and other knick-knacks when you need them. Opt for light toned shutters to blend with the room, or glass if you want to keep a look at what’s inside.
Overhead cupboards can be your home’s best friend. They allow you to store things in places that are out-of-sight, but still not so hidden that they become out-of-mind. Being overhead, they won’t block your view, nor occupy floor space. But make sure to have them within reach, so you can easily access the crockery and other knick-knacks when you need them. Opt for light toned shutters to blend with the room, or glass if you want to keep a look at what’s inside.
5. Think shallow
If sometimes a niche is not deep enough for a full-on cabinet, bring in a shallow one instead. For instance, this cabinet is just the right size to store jewellery (or ties, belts) without you having to go through the nightmare of untangling those chains. It even has a mirror attached to the inside. Now that your accessories are on display, you can finally get around to using them, rather than just hatching them for a rainy day.
If sometimes a niche is not deep enough for a full-on cabinet, bring in a shallow one instead. For instance, this cabinet is just the right size to store jewellery (or ties, belts) without you having to go through the nightmare of untangling those chains. It even has a mirror attached to the inside. Now that your accessories are on display, you can finally get around to using them, rather than just hatching them for a rainy day.
Tip: Speaking of mirrors, since they boost the feeling of space and light, why not clad your wall-to-wall cupboards in them? Look at how this hallway secretly hides so much storage behind those vast mirrored doors.
6. Opt for storage boxes
Let’s face the big, ugly truth. We love hoarding and always have stuff lying around that needs to be ‘put away’. You can still collect, but in an organised manner. A great way to stay on top of all your paperwork is to use separate boxes. You can have open or closed ones – and label everything. It’s not just for paperwork, this works with all the other clutter too.
Tip: To create a cohesive look to your hard work, pick colourful or patterned boxes. Once you see them all beautifully and neatly stacked up, you will be so proud.
Let’s face the big, ugly truth. We love hoarding and always have stuff lying around that needs to be ‘put away’. You can still collect, but in an organised manner. A great way to stay on top of all your paperwork is to use separate boxes. You can have open or closed ones – and label everything. It’s not just for paperwork, this works with all the other clutter too.
Tip: To create a cohesive look to your hard work, pick colourful or patterned boxes. Once you see them all beautifully and neatly stacked up, you will be so proud.
7. Be top and bottom heavy
Usually in the bathroom, the vanity is the storage hot spot. Given that it is the tiniest room of the house, not many think of adding more storage here. But if you love stocking up on new towels and toiletries and don’t want to get rid of the old stuff till every last tube is squeezed out, then your best bet is having top and bottom storage. Again opt for mirrored cabinets in addition to under the sink shelves. Often large indents in walls or niches can be found in bathrooms. Why not install a cupboard there as well?
Usually in the bathroom, the vanity is the storage hot spot. Given that it is the tiniest room of the house, not many think of adding more storage here. But if you love stocking up on new towels and toiletries and don’t want to get rid of the old stuff till every last tube is squeezed out, then your best bet is having top and bottom storage. Again opt for mirrored cabinets in addition to under the sink shelves. Often large indents in walls or niches can be found in bathrooms. Why not install a cupboard there as well?
8. Pull out cabinets everywhere
So you’ve used that tiny corner spot of space, but you can never have the storage you need? After all that rummaging in the back, you finally just give up looking for it.
Why not save yourself the hassle and opt for pull-out shelves? This solution is a staple in small kitchens. But hey, there is no restrictions to its use. It is especially ideal for any narrow space – so bathrooms are fair game too.
Read more about staying organised:
10 Things Every Cleanliness Freak Can Relate to
Tell us:
What space saving hacks do you use at home? Comment below.
So you’ve used that tiny corner spot of space, but you can never have the storage you need? After all that rummaging in the back, you finally just give up looking for it.
Why not save yourself the hassle and opt for pull-out shelves? This solution is a staple in small kitchens. But hey, there is no restrictions to its use. It is especially ideal for any narrow space – so bathrooms are fair game too.
Read more about staying organised:
10 Things Every Cleanliness Freak Can Relate to
Tell us:
What space saving hacks do you use at home? Comment below.
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