8 Ways to Increase Storage in Your Home
From custom designed pieces to maximising space along bay windows, explore clever ideas to amp up your storage potential at home
Deborah Jane Goon
24 April 2016
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Deborah is a freelance, Melbourne-based Journalist who began her career working across a number interior design and lifestyle magazines in Singapore, including Home Concepts, Space, SquareRooms, Simply Her and Women's Weekly, 16 years ago. She loves writing about interior design, decorating ideas, organisation tips, entertaining ideas and easy updates for the home. When she’s not creating Ideabooks for Houzz, Deborah can be found on Instagram, playing with her 17-year old Westie (yes! He's 17) or looking after her 9-month old baby. She's also a big fan of redoing her own interior and believes that little changes like new cushions or rotating artwork can have a huge impact without burning a hole in your pocket.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Deborah is a freelance, Melbourne-based Journalist who... More
Whether it’s a brand new apartment or a more established property, running out of space to store stuff is possibly the number one issue facing homeowners in Singapore. Check out these clever ideas to boost your storage options, no matter how small your home.
1. Utilise storage space under windows for occasional items
In my previous home, a 1,690 sq ft maisonette, I designed custom cabinets under my windows in the bedroom, since this would otherwise be wasted space. This area is great for less utilised items like bulky bedding, winter clothes and household stuff.
Keep in mind that it can get quite hot during the day so don’t store valuables or fragile items (e.g. leather shoes) here that will be susceptible to the heat.
In my previous home, a 1,690 sq ft maisonette, I designed custom cabinets under my windows in the bedroom, since this would otherwise be wasted space. This area is great for less utilised items like bulky bedding, winter clothes and household stuff.
Keep in mind that it can get quite hot during the day so don’t store valuables or fragile items (e.g. leather shoes) here that will be susceptible to the heat.
2. Make the most of a bay window by creating a study niche
Very often bay windows tend to be wasted space. If you’re clever about it though, you can also create a bonus function area.
Make use of the ample light flow along bay windows and craft out a study niche complete with storage for books and files.
Very often bay windows tend to be wasted space. If you’re clever about it though, you can also create a bonus function area.
Make use of the ample light flow along bay windows and craft out a study niche complete with storage for books and files.
3. Designate one full wall for storage
Since the living room is one of the most utilised spaces in a home, keeping it clutter free is highly important.
In order to maximise your storage here, choose one wall and create a long row of cabinets. High gloss cabinetry will help boost natural light while mirrored cabinets can help add depth to a small space.
You can also integrate your TV and other entertainment gear here too. Just ensure there’s adequate ventilation as heat builds up inside cabinets.
Plan for deeper, higher shelving for larger goods and mix it up with drawers for smaller items too.
Since the living room is one of the most utilised spaces in a home, keeping it clutter free is highly important.
In order to maximise your storage here, choose one wall and create a long row of cabinets. High gloss cabinetry will help boost natural light while mirrored cabinets can help add depth to a small space.
You can also integrate your TV and other entertainment gear here too. Just ensure there’s adequate ventilation as heat builds up inside cabinets.
Plan for deeper, higher shelving for larger goods and mix it up with drawers for smaller items too.
4. Custom-design furniture to add versatility
Platform beds are such a versatile piece of furniture since the added height allows for storage drawers.
Why stop here though? How about getting a whole suite of custom designed pieces so you can fully take advantage of every square inch of space.
Think: the likes of a matching dresser with designated space for jewellery and watches; a TV wall with shelving for books or collectibles; or even custom-made shelving that extends across one entire wall.
Platform beds are such a versatile piece of furniture since the added height allows for storage drawers.
Why stop here though? How about getting a whole suite of custom designed pieces so you can fully take advantage of every square inch of space.
Think: the likes of a matching dresser with designated space for jewellery and watches; a TV wall with shelving for books or collectibles; or even custom-made shelving that extends across one entire wall.
5. Go for minimalist book storage
Floating book racks are perfect for use in the kitchen if you have a free wall and lots of recipe books. This not only frees up precious cabinetry space but it keeps recipe books easily accessible so you can cook up a storm!
Likewise, this idea works perfectly in a bedroom or study too.
Floating book racks are perfect for use in the kitchen if you have a free wall and lots of recipe books. This not only frees up precious cabinetry space but it keeps recipe books easily accessible so you can cook up a storm!
Likewise, this idea works perfectly in a bedroom or study too.
6. Carve out clever – and child-accessible – book storage in your kid’s room
Having adequate storage in a kid’s room is so important since the little ones seem to accumulate so much through the years.
Instead of traditional bookshelves, why not explore the possibility of a custom-designed bed with storage underneath for books. Open storage is great for easy access but pullout drawers under a bed work well, and keep clutter hidden too.
Having adequate storage in a kid’s room is so important since the little ones seem to accumulate so much through the years.
Instead of traditional bookshelves, why not explore the possibility of a custom-designed bed with storage underneath for books. Open storage is great for easy access but pullout drawers under a bed work well, and keep clutter hidden too.
7. Devise custom cabinetry to cater to your cooking needs
The kitchen is possibly one of the best places you can really amp up storage possibilities. Custom cabinetry is your best bet but before you cook up a storm, visualise the way you use your kitchen.
Do you have lots of appliances like a toaster, mixer or rice cooker that you use daily?
Pull down roller doors or cabinets that lift upwards are really great for hiding those bulky items, while keeping this daily appliances close at hand, plus free up precious countertop space so your kitchen stays organised.
Other smart additions include deep drawers or pull out organisers so you can really increase your kitchen space.
The kitchen is possibly one of the best places you can really amp up storage possibilities. Custom cabinetry is your best bet but before you cook up a storm, visualise the way you use your kitchen.
Do you have lots of appliances like a toaster, mixer or rice cooker that you use daily?
Pull down roller doors or cabinets that lift upwards are really great for hiding those bulky items, while keeping this daily appliances close at hand, plus free up precious countertop space so your kitchen stays organised.
Other smart additions include deep drawers or pull out organisers so you can really increase your kitchen space.
8. Maximise storage in your bathroom with top and bottom cabinetry
Since the bathroom is usually the tiniest room at home, maximising storage for toiletries, towels and other essentials is definitely a must.
Your best bet is probably to have top and bottom storage, and opt for mirrored cabinets to help add an element of space while you’re at it.
If you’re clever about it, you can even get your designer to custom design drawer space for versatile storage options.
TELL US
How do you deal with a lack of storage space in your home? Share in the Comments.
MORE
11 Smart Hallway Storage Solutions
Turn Your Small Bathroom Into Something Special
9 Ideas for a Concealed Cookspace
Since the bathroom is usually the tiniest room at home, maximising storage for toiletries, towels and other essentials is definitely a must.
Your best bet is probably to have top and bottom storage, and opt for mirrored cabinets to help add an element of space while you’re at it.
If you’re clever about it, you can even get your designer to custom design drawer space for versatile storage options.
TELL US
How do you deal with a lack of storage space in your home? Share in the Comments.
MORE
11 Smart Hallway Storage Solutions
Turn Your Small Bathroom Into Something Special
9 Ideas for a Concealed Cookspace
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My current home in Singapore also has a platform bed. It's the perfect solution for small apartments in Singapore - helps to keep the mess out of sight and easy to clean. Just lean the bed against the wall and give the entire platform a good wipe!
I've also stuck to my minimalist approach for my rental studio apartment in Sydney. Due to space constraints, it's hard to make a tiny apartment look huge, so the clean minimalist look is the way too go. It makes the apartment look clean and bright too. Most Singaporean apartments are also smaller in size, which is why minimalism is also quite popular here in Singapore!
@Charmaine Choo Where did you get your platform bed from? Or was it custom built?
Hey Julia, we got it custom built for our rooms so the height fits nicely with our windows. My parents had their platform covering one half of their massive bedroom to create a "division" between the lounging area of the bedroom and the resting area. The whole platform has storage spaces as well, perfect for storing quilts covers etc.