IT’S NOT JUST YOU. AS OUR LIVES BECOME BUSIER THAN EVER AND RESPONSIBILITIES PILE UP, IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR OUR HOMES TO BEGIN TO LOOK AS CLUTTERED AS OUR SCHEDULES.
Sometimes, even the neatest of neat freaks could use a helping hand to tackle the mess. Short of converting into a hardcore minimalist, your next best sanity-preserving solution is clever storage. Here are a few tips, tricks and ideas to get you started on the road to a stylishly organised home.
1. CRATES, CUBES & BASKETS
Simple, right? Crates, cubes, and baskets are affordable, coming in so many different colours, textures, sizes and materials that you’ll have no trouble finding the right one for your space. As a general rule, natural timber crates are perfect when creating an industrial feel, while whitewashed versions work wonderfully in shabby chic interiors. Wicker baskets are very versatile, and lend themselves particularly well to French provincial settings.
Tip: If you’re thinking of slotting your favourite crates, cubes or baskets into shelves (and you really should), have the measurements while shopping to ensure you get the correct size.
2. FOLDING AND LEANING SHELVES
Slim, sleek, and stylish, vertical storage options such as folding and leaning shelves can be life-savers for those of us struggling with small spaces. Folding and leaning shelves can be used in just about any area of the home, even the kitchen (extra pantry space, anyone?). Plus, they’re often a much cheaper alternative to bookcases of a similar size. Bonus!
3. HIDDEN DRAWERS
When you literally don’t have a single square inch of space to spare, it’s time to get crafty. Hidden drawers, especially under beds, are popular in kids’ and adults’ rooms for good reasons and are relatively easy to find. Our Georgia bed, for example, ticks all the style boxes while two smooth sliding drawers at the foot of the bed keep spare blankets (or out-of-control shoe collections) out of sight and out of mind.
4. DISPLAY CABINETS
At 1825 interiors, we attract a lot of accessory addicts. Our staff, for example, can’t seem to get enough! If you, too, find yourself with a wealth of beautiful homewares without a place to show them all off, a display cabinet is your best bet. Our Vintage display cabinet (below), for example, delivers the best of both worlds with glass doors to boast your best bits, and a spacious lower drawer to hide the rest.
5. STORAGE BENCHES
An old favourite, storage benches (or blanket boxes) are large enough to hide all sorts of things and can be placed in a hallway, at the foot of a bed, or even under a window. At a pinch, they also double as extra seating!
Just because it’s practical, doesn’t mean it can’t look good! Storage doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, when it’s done right, clearing the clutter can not only leave you and your family with more space (and time) for the important things, but also add style and charm to your home.