Interior Design
13 Places in Your Small Home to Create Storage
Outsmart small spaces with these unexpected storage solutions
Fitting more into less is possible; if you get creative in your humble home. There are plenty of unused areas to tap into and unexplored storage solutions to truly maximise every inch of your space. Interior Design Leader April Kwan from Ikea Southeast Asia lends us her expertise on small space storage dilemmas.
Kwan recommends using seating that doubles as storage such as the Vallentuna seat module. It has a padded seat top which opens up to reveal a deep compartment for stashing away these extra living room essentials.
2. Mirror ledge
These mirrors in decorative frames jazz up a plain white wall and draw in more light. What you can also consider is add a floating ledge behind the sofa. This works as a display shelf and your decor accents like potted plants will be in sight but out of your way.
These mirrors in decorative frames jazz up a plain white wall and draw in more light. What you can also consider is add a floating ledge behind the sofa. This works as a display shelf and your decor accents like potted plants will be in sight but out of your way.
3. Two-in-one
Multi-purpose pieces like this Guälov storage table an make excellent coffee table or even bedside table for petite spaces. Kwan adds: “This ‘multi-talented’ table offers a removable tray for serving snacks and basket storage below for storing books or throws.”
Multi-purpose pieces like this Guälov storage table an make excellent coffee table or even bedside table for petite spaces. Kwan adds: “This ‘multi-talented’ table offers a removable tray for serving snacks and basket storage below for storing books or throws.”
4. Extendable features
Tables with adjustable dimensions let you reclaim space when the dinner party’s over.
Tables with adjustable dimensions let you reclaim space when the dinner party’s over.
“Not every home can accommodate a long table, so having the flexibility to extend when needed is important,“ says Kwan. The Ingatorp extendable table seats four to six comfortably when extended and can be configured back into a round table after the meal.
5. Store upwards
Short on worktop space? Use the often overlooked wall area to hang up all those kitchen essentials and to keep countertop space clear.
They managed to do what in a small kitchen?
Short on worktop space? Use the often overlooked wall area to hang up all those kitchen essentials and to keep countertop space clear.
They managed to do what in a small kitchen?
“Even thought we are not all three-star chefs, we can still benefit from a good flow and plenty of extra space on the kitchen worktop to whip up the next feast,” adds Kwan. “With this Kungsfors series, it’s easy to create a personal combination and store everything so you get a good overview in the kitchen.”
You can also free up drawer space with this pots-and-pans wall centrepiece.
10 ways to put your kitchen walls to use
10 ways to put your kitchen walls to use
Pegboards are another great way to hang up cooking tools with flair. Plus, this hanging system can be easily adapted when you move things around.
6. Moving islands
A kitchen island is always handy to have. It offers more space for food prep and doubles as a breakfast counter.
A kitchen island is always handy to have. It offers more space for food prep and doubles as a breakfast counter.
However, not all of us have the room for this freestanding counter. The answer is simple: islands on castors! The locking castors will keep it firmly in place while you work, and you can tuck it under the counter when you’re done.
For a ready-made piece rather than a custom-built unit, this Stenstorp trolley will add much convenience, storage and an extra worktop to your kitchen space.
7. Serving station storage
Think about boosting the functionality of your serving counter by incorporating drawers under the tabletop. Every little bit of storage helps.
Think about boosting the functionality of your serving counter by incorporating drawers under the tabletop. Every little bit of storage helps.
8. What lies beneath
Your bed takes up a big part of the room so the amount of the storage space beneath it will be equally generous. A platform bed comprising custom-built units will more than double the amount of storage space in the room.
Your bed takes up a big part of the room so the amount of the storage space beneath it will be equally generous. A platform bed comprising custom-built units will more than double the amount of storage space in the room.
There’s lots of customisable features you could consider with a platform storage bed. One really smart idea is this pull-out desk which can be rolled back into the custom-built unit.
9. By your side
Pair your vanity with these cosy nooks at the side of the wardrobe. It’ll provide easy access to your beauty products while minimising the visual clutter.
Pair your vanity with these cosy nooks at the side of the wardrobe. It’ll provide easy access to your beauty products while minimising the visual clutter.
10. Divide and conquer
Working a walk-in wardrobe, let alone a decent closet, into a tiny bedroom can be tricky business. With the bed taking up almost half of the bedroom, where can you find ample room? Behold the room-in-room concept – a space-savvy wardrobe system that only requires a minimal amount of wall space. By taking down the boundary wall between a connecting bedroom or bathroom, you can save on some floor area with this closet and divider instead.
Working a walk-in wardrobe, let alone a decent closet, into a tiny bedroom can be tricky business. With the bed taking up almost half of the bedroom, where can you find ample room? Behold the room-in-room concept – a space-savvy wardrobe system that only requires a minimal amount of wall space. By taking down the boundary wall between a connecting bedroom or bathroom, you can save on some floor area with this closet and divider instead.
11. Go vertical
Floor area is always precious in the bathroom. This is why when you can’t build out, build up instead. Mount shelving like these powder-coated steel ones on the wall to boost the amount of storage space and in return, it elevates the aesthetics with its edgy industrial charm.
Floor area is always precious in the bathroom. This is why when you can’t build out, build up instead. Mount shelving like these powder-coated steel ones on the wall to boost the amount of storage space and in return, it elevates the aesthetics with its edgy industrial charm.
This other room-in-room concept boasts a seamless and streamlined look with the closet hidden neatly behind the sliding TV console.
This shelving unit maximises the entire wall area and conceals all the clutter behind handle-free doors.
Carving out a recess within the wall as a storage nook will contain the clutter chaos behind closed doors. Better yet, hide it behind a mirror.
12. Utility setup
For those without a service yard, this dedicated cleaning supply cabinet is the next best thing.
For those without a service yard, this dedicated cleaning supply cabinet is the next best thing.
13. Charging station
The sight of trailing wires is never a pretty sight. Designate all the mess to a drawer.
TELL US
How are you maximising your small space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
The sight of trailing wires is never a pretty sight. Designate all the mess to a drawer.
TELL US
How are you maximising your small space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Besides vertical storage, another area that holds great storage potential is under seats. Says Kwan: “Having extra cushions, pillows and throws will make the space extra cosy, and is great when you have people over. However, finding the space to store these bulky items can be a challenge.”