How many times have you looked at all your ‘stuff’ and thought….”If only this could be more organised”? It happens to us all. We have lots of nice items whether it’s kind gifts bought by friends or relatives or whether it’s something we have bought ourselves, we somehow manage to end up with lots of ‘stuff’ but then wonder where we are going to store it all! Also, this pile of lovely items creeps up on us because they aren’t just accumulated overnight. But finding the right storage solution for you and for your items can be tricky because although you may be able to pick up something reasonably priced from a popular DIY or home store, you are significantly restricted in the standard dimensions that they come in. This is why bespoke storage solutions are generally the best option. You can have the unit or storage solution customised to the exact shape and dimensions of the space, or spaces, that you have available.
Below are a few examples of some storage solutions to act as inspiriation for your home.
FITTED BOOK SHELVES
Installing some custom bookshelves to any room can provide an excellent way of providing additional, space saving storage. The unit doesn’t have to protrude out into the room too far but can maximise the space by spanning from wall to wall, as well as from floor to ceiling to take advantage of as much of the space as possible but based on the same footprint. If built from MDF, the dimensions are fully customisable to give you the ideal storage solution. Finish with some MDF paint, or have the unit sprayed for that ‘factory finish’ and it’ll look like it’s always been there.
UNDER STAIRS STORAGE
Under the stairs is a greatly under utilised space but actually offers a reasonable amount of square meterage of potential storage. Given the depth from one side of the stairs to the other being around 900mm, it doesn’t lend itself ideally to shelves as they become too deep to become fully usable. Pull out drawers and hanging space options are the most popular options. Each home is different in side but on average, there is sufficient space under the stairs to accommodate 3 cupboards around 500mm – 600mm wide, and sometimes 4 if there is a particularly large space available.
ALCOVE CUPBOARDS IN A LOUNGE / DINING ROOM
In some homes where there is a chimney breast in the lounge or dining room (generally Victorian style homes), there can be an awkward space either side that it can be difficult to use in an effective way. This is where alcove storage comes into it’s own. You could choose from some popluar features such as:
- Lower storage cupboards with internal shelves
- Lower storage cupboards with upper shelving
- Lower storage cupboards with upper alcove lighting
- Lower storage cupboards with upper acoustic wall panelling
- Lower storage cupboards with upper shelving and central chimney breast storage
CUSTOM UNITS FOR AWKWARD SPACES
When dealing with unusual or awkward spaces, it can be almost impossible to find any ‘off the shelf’ solutions from DIY / home stores as they tend to cater for standard size units. You may find a unit that will fit a space but it may leave much of it completely unused and wasted. Therefore, a custom solution is the preferred, and sometime only option as almost all of the space can be utilised to maximise the amount of ‘usable’ space on offer in your storage unit.
BESPOKE WARDROBES
Wardrobes have long been the best way to take care of large storage solution problems mainly in the bedroom but they can also be utilised in other rooms. Again, you can be limited by either standard dimensions and configurations, or a large price tag for an installation by one of the popular wardrobes companies who advertise on the television. Custom made wardrobes can provide you with the ideal solution to better fit the space that you have available, the internal features of which can also be fully customised to suit your needs.
The final look and finish of the end product could vary dramatically depending on whether the work has been completed by a DIY’er or whether it has been installed by professional installers who have the experience to ensure the finish of a high quality and overcome any obstacles that may arise during installation.
At Smart & Simple Home Improvements, we work with our clients to ensure that we provide them with the best solution to suit their home so get in touch now to discuss your new custom storage project and book your free consultation.
Contact: Matthew
T: 07954 168666
E: enquiries@sshomeimprovements.co.uk