Custom Interior Molding & Architectural Trimwork

By Lester Fong

Those looking for practical ideas to maximize storage space, here’re some tips. First, try looking beyond the obvious to the slightly more unusual - the angled area beneath the stairs or the space beneath the eaves, for instance. Look, too, at the often unnoticed alcoves formed by boxed-in pipes, as well as at the space beneath beds and windows.

Built-out window seats with cupboards below serve two purposes - they offer a comfortable place to muse or read, combined with easy-to-access, deep storage. In the bedroom, consider the possibilities of a deeper-than-usual built-in headboard that offers hidden storage space accessed from above.

Beneath sinks and basins are other obvious, but often ignored spots. You can readily find store-bought shelf units that are designed to fit around plumbing and pipes.

If you live in a large open-plan area such as a converted loft apartment, you may need to define the different functional areas. I’d suggest getting room dividers that doubles as a wall of storage. The secret lies in making sure that the storage-divider is deep enough and each side is appropriate to its own space. Don’t be fooled into thinking they have to be a mirror image of one another; Janus-like, each can present a different public face.

One of the most successful of this type of divider is a low-level unit, one face of which acts as a custom-made bedhead, complete with bedside shelving, built-in lighting and so on, while the other side functions either just as a plain wall or as an additional storage unit.

Here’re some more tips on maximizing your storage space:

• Mobile stacking storage towers will slide into narrow upright spaces

• Corner units make good use of what might otherwise be ‘dead’ space

• Mail-order catalogues are a surprisingly good source of unusual storage solutions.

• Some mobile dress rails can be height-adjusted to fit an angled space.

Lester Fong

http://www.unique-home-decor-ideas.com

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