17 Storage Ideas for Every Room That You May Not Have Considered
Finding spots to squeeze in extra storage is a challenge we all face – here are 17 out-of-the-box solutions to consider
Controlling clutter can feel like a never-ending battle in a busy home. Smart storage can go a long way to help. Looking for ideas? We’re here to help: we’ve rounded up 17 of the niftiest storage ideas from homes around the world on Houzz to show you what’s possible with some out-of-the-ordinary thinking.
2. Work your angles
A pitched ceiling provides a great opportunity to squeeze in an overhead bookshelf and add a fun touch to a home office.
Looking to add built-ins to your home? Find a joiner or cabinetmaker on Houzz to help
A pitched ceiling provides a great opportunity to squeeze in an overhead bookshelf and add a fun touch to a home office.
Looking to add built-ins to your home? Find a joiner or cabinetmaker on Houzz to help
3. Make the most of what you’ve got
When space is tight, you need to get creative with storage. Take a tip from the designers of this Sydney home and add generous drawers under the stairs to house bulky household items. Finishing them in the same matt pale-grey paint as the walls adds a sophisticated edge.
When space is tight, you need to get creative with storage. Take a tip from the designers of this Sydney home and add generous drawers under the stairs to house bulky household items. Finishing them in the same matt pale-grey paint as the walls adds a sophisticated edge.
4. Pop in a pull-out
A pull-down hamper, with dedicated baskets for whites and colours, makes smart use of space in a tiny bathroom.
A pull-down hamper, with dedicated baskets for whites and colours, makes smart use of space in a tiny bathroom.
5. Bring it to you
Make your pantry work harder (and eliminate the need to dig around in its depths for cooking ingredients) with a trio of shelves that automatically extend outwards when you open the door.
Make your pantry work harder (and eliminate the need to dig around in its depths for cooking ingredients) with a trio of shelves that automatically extend outwards when you open the door.
6. Over the hob
In a compact bathroom with a built-in tub, consider running the vanity over the hob to maximise storage potential.
Browse images of more Australian bathrooms on Houzz
In a compact bathroom with a built-in tub, consider running the vanity over the hob to maximise storage potential.
Browse images of more Australian bathrooms on Houzz
7. Double trouble
… And elsewhere in that bathroom, a recessed niche next to the bathroom provides a handy spot for shampoos and soaps; highlighting it with tiles that match ones used elsewhere in the room takes it from practical feature to design moment.
… And elsewhere in that bathroom, a recessed niche next to the bathroom provides a handy spot for shampoos and soaps; highlighting it with tiles that match ones used elsewhere in the room takes it from practical feature to design moment.
7. Screen time (or not)
Sick of seeing the screen every time you walk into the living room? Take inspiration from the architects of this space and add in panelled sliding doors to conceal the television when it’s not in use.
Sick of seeing the screen every time you walk into the living room? Take inspiration from the architects of this space and add in panelled sliding doors to conceal the television when it’s not in use.
8. Tailored to fit
If you have young children, standard-height coat hooks that the little ones can’t reach won’t work. Coats and school bags end up being dropped on the floor, turning your entry into an eyesore. Make it easy for everyone to keep their things tidy with hooks and drawers at different heights.
If you have young children, standard-height coat hooks that the little ones can’t reach won’t work. Coats and school bags end up being dropped on the floor, turning your entry into an eyesore. Make it easy for everyone to keep their things tidy with hooks and drawers at different heights.
9. Now you see it, now you don’t
A comfy upholstered bench seat on castors that can be pulled out at mealtimes and then tucked under the island benchtop when not in use is a genius solution for a space-starved kitchen.
A comfy upholstered bench seat on castors that can be pulled out at mealtimes and then tucked under the island benchtop when not in use is a genius solution for a space-starved kitchen.
10. Easy access
Another beaut idea for keeping a family home clutter-free – easy-access, angled storage baskets for the kids to pop their toys and knick-knacks in custom-sized nooks under the stairs.
Another beaut idea for keeping a family home clutter-free – easy-access, angled storage baskets for the kids to pop their toys and knick-knacks in custom-sized nooks under the stairs.
11. Two-in-one
Book display? Storage? Why not have both, as the designer behind this child’s room has done. Books are kept neatly arranged and, as the covers are facing forward, your little one will be encouraged to pick up one to read at any time (and bonus points for the cosy reading spot beside it – who’d ever want to leave?)
Book display? Storage? Why not have both, as the designer behind this child’s room has done. Books are kept neatly arranged and, as the covers are facing forward, your little one will be encouraged to pick up one to read at any time (and bonus points for the cosy reading spot beside it – who’d ever want to leave?)
12. Pull-down perfection
Running out of space for your shoes? Consider adding in a pull-down shoe rack that houses multiple pairs of your finest footwear without swallowing up precious closet space.
Running out of space for your shoes? Consider adding in a pull-down shoe rack that houses multiple pairs of your finest footwear without swallowing up precious closet space.
13. See the light
A shelving unit that runs right to the ceiling is a smart way to carve out zones in a large room. But the last thing you want to do is block out the light. Get the best of both worlds by opting for open shelves that allow light to filter through.
A shelving unit that runs right to the ceiling is a smart way to carve out zones in a large room. But the last thing you want to do is block out the light. Get the best of both worlds by opting for open shelves that allow light to filter through.
14. Make it a feature
Forget humdrum wall storage: get creative with shelves and nooks at different heights and various shapes and sizes, and turn your vertical storage into a design feature.
Forget humdrum wall storage: get creative with shelves and nooks at different heights and various shapes and sizes, and turn your vertical storage into a design feature.
15. Space maximiser
Standard cupboards and shelves are the only things you install under the stairs: take inspiration from the designers of this space, and add in a pull-out printer shelf and even a dog bed.
Standard cupboards and shelves are the only things you install under the stairs: take inspiration from the designers of this space, and add in a pull-out printer shelf and even a dog bed.
16. Step it up
Deep under-bed drawers are ideal for storing bulky toys and out-of-season clothes in a child’s room. But it’s important to consider functionality too; here, the designer has included a pull-out step that makes it easy for a child to get into bed.
Deep under-bed drawers are ideal for storing bulky toys and out-of-season clothes in a child’s room. But it’s important to consider functionality too; here, the designer has included a pull-out step that makes it easy for a child to get into bed.
17. Celebrate simplicity
Fancy butler’s pantries with luxe finishes might be all the rage, but there’s an appealing honesty about simple ply shelving – it’s warm, practical and (best of all if you’re on a budget) affordable.
Your turn
Which of these clever solutions would work in your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more on storage? Check out this story: Pro Reveal: 4 Super Kitchen Storage Set-Ups
Fancy butler’s pantries with luxe finishes might be all the rage, but there’s an appealing honesty about simple ply shelving – it’s warm, practical and (best of all if you’re on a budget) affordable.
Your turn
Which of these clever solutions would work in your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more on storage? Check out this story: Pro Reveal: 4 Super Kitchen Storage Set-Ups
If you have a split-living kitchen/diner set-up, consider making a feature of your storage with end-of-island shelving that steps down the stairs.