Whether you’re downsizing, buying your first home on a tight budget or simply want a low-maintenance lifestyle, smaller homes offer many advantages but the downside of a compact home is the limited storage space which can be a real headache if not properly addressed.
However, with a little planning, creativity and out-the-box thinking, it’s very possible to live small and store well without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.
Prepare:
- Do your homework – every home and every room is different, so spend some time considering each space carefully. What is it to be used for? What would need to be stored? Which unused spaces can be cleverly adapted?
- Declutter - Clutter can be a constant battle in small spaces, so get rid of all the odds and ends you’ve been hanging onto for no reason, donate old toys your children have outgrown and clear closets of clothing that hasn’t been worn for years.
Optimise existing cupboard space:
Many wardrobes aren’t very practical in design, especially in older homes, so a little modification can make a world of difference.
- Add a drawer – Cosets with a high hanging rail will often have enough space below the hanging clothes where a small chest of drawers can be fitted;
- Double up – If you have more clothes that need hanging than need to be folded, add a second hanging rail instead of drawers;
- Utilise the doors – By placing door racks and hooks on the inside of cupboard doors, you have a very neat way in which to store accessories like scarves, belts and even shoes;
- Hidden hooks – The back of the cupboard is also space that can be utilised by placing a few adhesive hooks behind the hanging space for belts, scarves and bags that are seldom used.
Maximise wall space:
Walls account for more square meterage than the floor space, and certainly don’t only have to be used for adornment.
- Perimeter shelving – Bedroom walls above head height are usually the least-used space in the room and will add a good couple of metres of storage space if you install shelves;
- Adapted nightstand – if you install a floating nightstand with a drawer, can store other goods in attractive baskets or boxes with lids on the floor underneath;
- Colourful hat boxes – when mounted, they are great for knickknacks, extra jerseys or colourful T-shirts and in bathrooms for loo rolls and rolled up fresh towels;
- Floating shelves - these work especially well in corners where they will not be in the way or in small rooms like the bathroom above the toilet cistern.
Don’t overlook vertical spaces:
Just because a space is narrow, doesn’t mean it can’t be used – you’d be surprised at just how much can be cleverly stored in these areas.
- Hang a rack on the kitchen wall – these are great for frequently used items like pans, colanders and sieves. And hooks mounted to the backsplash are ideal for keeping cooking utensils handy;
- Think elongated – Shelving that is tall and narrow rather than short and wide will fit into those narrow spaces and will also add visual variation and interest;
- Vertical herb garden - a vertical herb garden brings life to the kitchen, looks great and adds a natural element to your spice collection;
- Slim rolling shelves on wheels – are perfect to utilise even the smallest areas like that space on the side of your refrigerator, or between your dishwasher and the wall.
Door duty
Doors also offer meters of unused space to store a multitude of things.
- Behind the door - hang plastic multi-pocket shoe organiser to store things like cleaning supplies – or shoes, of course;
- Floating box shelf – installed above a bedroom or bathroom door, they’re handy to store rolled up fresh towels, loo rolls and bathroom toiletries you don’t often use;
- Hanging hamper – laundry baskets can take up a square metre of floor space, so rather hang a fabric hamper on the back of your bedroom door.
Decorative storage
Storage doesn’t have to be utilitarian – it can be an attractive décor features as well.
- Colour contrast –if you have built in storage like shelving, paint the back of each unit in a bold colour;
- Bins and baskets - Decorative bins and baskets are both affordable and aesthetically pleasing and a great way to save space as they can be placed almost anywhere, including entryways, kitchens, closets, bedrooms, bathrooms and pantries.
Other clever tricks
- Maximise your drawer storage – cheap to buy and simple to use, modular drawer organisers work as well in any room as they do in the kitchen and they’re great for small items like hair accessories, make up and stationery;
- Double up – in the bedroom, mount a magazine rack on the side of the bedside stand for reading matter or on the side of a kitchen cabinet for the cling wrap, wax paper and tin foil;
- Suspension – if you don’t have a shed or garage, bicycles take up a lot of room and best way to save space is to use a hanging or wall-mounted rack.
If you put every nook and cranny in your home to use with well-thought-out and space-saving storage solutions, you will have a compact but comfortable and very attractive home.
However, if the space into which you’re moving is simply too small to fit everything, you’re renting and unable to make too many changes or if your move is temporary, consider renting a storage unit for those items you cannot bear to part with or still use regularly.
You can then access your belongings whenever you need them and you know that they will be safe and will not get damaged in any way.