Pro Panel: 3 Architects’ Tips for Planning Your Home Storage
Before you embark on a renovation, take a look at this expert advice to ensure you incorporate all the storage you need
When you’re planning a project for your home, it’s a good idea to think about storage right from the start. We asked three architects to give us their top tips for ensuring a redesign includes plenty of places to store your belongings. This panel consists of Angus Eitel of Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors; Jane Leach of i-architect; Nimi Attanayake of Nimtim Architects.
Tailor to fit
Once you’ve identified those items you’re going to keep, you can then start planning storage for them. “Group like with like and decide in which part of your home it makes sense to store each category,” says Leach. “Consider what you do in each room and what you need nearby to support your use of that space.”
“Work out what you need the storage unit to contain and design it accordingly,” says Attanayake. “Think about the details: for example, work desks and TV units need a lot of cables, so it’s often neater to locate the cable route and drill holes into the storage to conceal them.”
“Consider ergonomics, especially your own physical needs,” Jane adds. “A height of between 800 and 1,800 millimetres is easiest for most adults to access. If you struggle to crouch down, you can use drawers for lower storage to make it easier to get to things, especially at the back.”
Once you’ve identified those items you’re going to keep, you can then start planning storage for them. “Group like with like and decide in which part of your home it makes sense to store each category,” says Leach. “Consider what you do in each room and what you need nearby to support your use of that space.”
“Work out what you need the storage unit to contain and design it accordingly,” says Attanayake. “Think about the details: for example, work desks and TV units need a lot of cables, so it’s often neater to locate the cable route and drill holes into the storage to conceal them.”
“Consider ergonomics, especially your own physical needs,” Jane adds. “A height of between 800 and 1,800 millimetres is easiest for most adults to access. If you struggle to crouch down, you can use drawers for lower storage to make it easier to get to things, especially at the back.”
Don’t forget the details
“Think about materials, colours and whether you want the storage to stand out or blend in with the space,” says Attanayake.
“The material should be suited to the space,” she adds. For example, bathroom storage is best made from water-resistant materials, such as tiled or melamine-faced plywood. She also advises that external storage should be made of hardwearing materials, such as cedar, larch, polyester powder-coated (PPC) aluminium, or a modified timber called Accoya.
Attanayake also suggest saving money with clever planning. “The door materials could be different, with more cost-effective surfaces used for the carcasses,” she says. “Also consider whether the storage needs slatted doors for ventilation or for a remote signal to go through to a TV box.”
“Think about materials, colours and whether you want the storage to stand out or blend in with the space,” says Attanayake.
“The material should be suited to the space,” she adds. For example, bathroom storage is best made from water-resistant materials, such as tiled or melamine-faced plywood. She also advises that external storage should be made of hardwearing materials, such as cedar, larch, polyester powder-coated (PPC) aluminium, or a modified timber called Accoya.
Attanayake also suggest saving money with clever planning. “The door materials could be different, with more cost-effective surfaces used for the carcasses,” she says. “Also consider whether the storage needs slatted doors for ventilation or for a remote signal to go through to a TV box.”
Adapt for an open-plan room
Many of us choose to design our homes with an open-plan layout, which provides a lovely feeling of space and connection. However, this type of scheme does present some issues. “The loss of wall space results in a loss of storage space,” says Eitel.
Eitel’s solution is to merge storage in the different zones to create a harmonious look. “Using kitchen cabinets in the adjacent living space makes perfect sense,” he says. Here, for example, large kitchen units are positioned at the back of the living room to create a wall of storage.
“Island units are another solution,” he says. “Many manufacturers also offer plinth drawers, so you can utilise every inch of space.”
Many of us choose to design our homes with an open-plan layout, which provides a lovely feeling of space and connection. However, this type of scheme does present some issues. “The loss of wall space results in a loss of storage space,” says Eitel.
Eitel’s solution is to merge storage in the different zones to create a harmonious look. “Using kitchen cabinets in the adjacent living space makes perfect sense,” he says. Here, for example, large kitchen units are positioned at the back of the living room to create a wall of storage.
“Island units are another solution,” he says. “Many manufacturers also offer plinth drawers, so you can utilise every inch of space.”
Get creative
“Consider the house as a volume, not just a floor plan,” says Eitel. “Use every bit of space you can, including those hard-to-reach spots, such as under the stairs. It may be that some clever tricks can be employed by a designer to provide easy access.
“The bathroom, for example, is an area where some simple advance planning can make all the difference,” he says. “Incorporate storage in false walls that conceal pipework and the toilet cistern.”
End Morning Madness! 4 Steps to Organised Bathroom Storage
“Consider the house as a volume, not just a floor plan,” says Eitel. “Use every bit of space you can, including those hard-to-reach spots, such as under the stairs. It may be that some clever tricks can be employed by a designer to provide easy access.
“The bathroom, for example, is an area where some simple advance planning can make all the difference,” he says. “Incorporate storage in false walls that conceal pipework and the toilet cistern.”
End Morning Madness! 4 Steps to Organised Bathroom Storage
Go to new levels
“Look high for places to add storage,” says Leach. In a kitchen, for instance, cupboards can be extended right up to the ceiling. “You can add more cabinets on top of wall cupboards, so they use the full height of the room,” she says.
“Consider, also, storage solutions that hang from the ceiling that you can drop down, then raise again, using a pulley system,” she says. “You can do this with all sorts of things. Typically, traditional clothes airers used this system, but it works for storing bikes or even a bed.”
Design Cycles: 21 Ways to Store and Style Your Bike Inside
“Look high for places to add storage,” says Leach. In a kitchen, for instance, cupboards can be extended right up to the ceiling. “You can add more cabinets on top of wall cupboards, so they use the full height of the room,” she says.
“Consider, also, storage solutions that hang from the ceiling that you can drop down, then raise again, using a pulley system,” she says. “You can do this with all sorts of things. Typically, traditional clothes airers used this system, but it works for storing bikes or even a bed.”
Design Cycles: 21 Ways to Store and Style Your Bike Inside
Exploit the eaves
An attic conversion provides a good opportunity to edit your possessions. “Loft conversions result in the loss of a significant amount of storage, which offers the opportunity to undertake some serious decluttering,” says Eitel.
“However, there are certain items that can’t be sent to recycling, such as suitcases and Christmas decorations, so it’s important to ensure that any loft conversion makes good use of the total volume,” he says.
“Pay particular attention to the hard-to-reach perimeter spaces, such as the eaves,” he says. “It’s important that this is considered from the outset, to ensure the structure is designed appropriately to allow access, and the flooring and insulation are installed correctly.”
An attic conversion provides a good opportunity to edit your possessions. “Loft conversions result in the loss of a significant amount of storage, which offers the opportunity to undertake some serious decluttering,” says Eitel.
“However, there are certain items that can’t be sent to recycling, such as suitcases and Christmas decorations, so it’s important to ensure that any loft conversion makes good use of the total volume,” he says.
“Pay particular attention to the hard-to-reach perimeter spaces, such as the eaves,” he says. “It’s important that this is considered from the outset, to ensure the structure is designed appropriately to allow access, and the flooring and insulation are installed correctly.”
Squeeze in a utility area
It’s worth asking an architect to try to incorporate a separate storage zone away from the kitchen, say our experts.
“We often recommend a small laundry-type space adjacent to a kitchen, which can double as a boot room or garden access,” Angus says. “With efficient space planning, you can house a significant amount of stuff in a tight spot.”
Best of the Week: 26 Laundries Where Storage is the Star
It’s worth asking an architect to try to incorporate a separate storage zone away from the kitchen, say our experts.
“We often recommend a small laundry-type space adjacent to a kitchen, which can double as a boot room or garden access,” Angus says. “With efficient space planning, you can house a significant amount of stuff in a tight spot.”
Best of the Week: 26 Laundries Where Storage is the Star
Make designs dual-purpose
“Before you look at building extra storage, consider ways you can make the most of the space you have,” says Leach. “The easiest solution is to have dual-purpose furniture that doubles as storage. Pieces can often incorporate drawers or compartments.”
Another suggestion is to create a raised platform by building up a higher level of floor. “You’ll need a few steps to get onto it,” says Leach. “Then within the depth of the platform, you can conceal all sorts of storage solutions. It’s a good way to hide a bed, or kids toys, or anything really.”
“Before you look at building extra storage, consider ways you can make the most of the space you have,” says Leach. “The easiest solution is to have dual-purpose furniture that doubles as storage. Pieces can often incorporate drawers or compartments.”
Another suggestion is to create a raised platform by building up a higher level of floor. “You’ll need a few steps to get onto it,” says Leach. “Then within the depth of the platform, you can conceal all sorts of storage solutions. It’s a good way to hide a bed, or kids toys, or anything really.”
Work in display space
Our experts recommend having both concealed and open storage in your home. “When briefing a designer, make sure you mention any objects or collections you’d like to display from the outset,” says Eitel. “A full-height bookshelf can be incorporated into a design very easily and can house a significant number of books or collectibles.”
“If you want your space to look more designed,” Leach adds, “make sure you curate the visible objects and hide the rest away. You could select the display items based on colour, texture, shape or style to give a cohesive look.”
Your turn
Will you plan storage from the beginning of your renovations or was it an afterthought? Share your experiences in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more professional advice? Don’t miss our last Pro Panel: 9 Butler’s Pantry Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Our experts recommend having both concealed and open storage in your home. “When briefing a designer, make sure you mention any objects or collections you’d like to display from the outset,” says Eitel. “A full-height bookshelf can be incorporated into a design very easily and can house a significant number of books or collectibles.”
“If you want your space to look more designed,” Leach adds, “make sure you curate the visible objects and hide the rest away. You could select the display items based on colour, texture, shape or style to give a cohesive look.”
Your turn
Will you plan storage from the beginning of your renovations or was it an afterthought? Share your experiences in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more professional advice? Don’t miss our last Pro Panel: 9 Butler’s Pantry Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Before you plan any shelves, cupboards or drawers, it’s important to know exactly what you need to store. “The first thing to do is make sure you’re not wasting your time and money creating storage for things you don’t really love or need,” says Jane Leach.
Nimi Attanayake highlights the importance of speaking to your architect about storage from the outset. “A good team will offer practical solutions to the challenges of construction,” she says. “At the early stages, your architect can plan the overall spatial strategy alongside the storage.”
Find a local architect who can factor in stylish home storage in your redesign