Feature article
Storage ideas that actually work
Maximise storage in your new home with built-ins, hallway solutions, and under-stair designs without moving again.
24 September 2024
Of the many potential pain points of moving into a new home, a lack of storage has to rank as the most irksome. A new paint job and some top-level staging may have you making a heart decision but scratch beneath the surface and if there’s nowhere to store your belongings, it might be the cue to keep on looking.
Of course, if your heart has already won out and the dye is cast, don’t despair, here are some really great ways of incorporating more storage into your existing space, without breaking the bank and without having to move — again.
Built-ins: everything old is great again
Throughout our history a number of architectural styles have championed built-in furniture — and with good reason, it just makes sense. Since the middle of last century, there has been an increasing shift towards the open plan living we prefer these days and with that, built-in furniture has fallen by the wayside. However, when it comes to clever storage ideas, you really can’t look past a custom built-in.
One of the clear advantages of built-in furniture is its ability to transition from one space into another, such as here, in this home by Tobin Smith, in which the joinery seamlessly morphs from kitchen cabinetry to living room furniture.
Designed as a single, continuous unit, this built-in does double duty as kitchen cabinetry and living room storage, in a home designed by Tobin Smith.
As well as providing invaluable storage, custom built-in furniture can also be used to delineate spaces and create a sense of intimacy in an otherwise open expanse, much like this ‘sleeping pod’ designed by Patchwork Architecture for a Wellington studio apartment.
Encapsulating a bed and providing wardrobe, general storage and pantry space, this custom built-in takes storage practicalities to a whole new level.
Thinking outside the box: moving beyond your living areas
While there’s no question that living areas can greatly benefit from carefully curated storage, other spaces within your home can also provide opportunities to conceal clutter and seldom-used items. Corridors and hallways are a boon when it comes to unused space, being, as they are, traditionally used as little more than circulation routes.
If you’re at the planning stage of your home build or renovation, think about how you can utilise the space contained within your hallway(s) in a more considered fashion, turning them into multi-purpose spaces. A window seat or day bed with storage underneath or even a custom built-in will provide ample storage and give you another usable space within your home, such as this stunning storage solution by Fieldcraft.
Careful consideration at the design stage has turned this ‘dead space’ into a restful window seat with ample storage.
While we don’t tend to incorporate attic or basement spaces into our homes in New Zealand, where they do exist, they too can be used in meaningful ways to provide storage space while freeing up the other rooms of your home for living and resting. By investing a few extra dollars at the beginning, properly lining and insulating your attic space, or basement, to provide weathertight storage, will reward you ten-fold in the usability of your home.
Stairway to Heaven: making use of space you didn’t even know you had
A grand entrance with a sweeping staircase is a thing of architectural beauty, but let’s face it, it’s out of the realm of most of us, and anyway, just think of all that unused space… it’s enough to keep you up at night!
Give me a regular old staircase any day, and one with cleverly designed storage underneath is my idea of Nirvana, much like this staircase designed by the late David Mitchell. Conceived as a feature of the home, open shelving allows the owner to showcase their collectables. However, if you’re into more of a sleek look, then nifty touch-release panels will help keep things streamlined.
Form and function collide in this feature under-stair storage unit that takes advantage of unused space.
Another room where good storage is a must is the bedroom. With the current trend of designing bigger and bigger bedrooms, especially when it comes to main bedrooms, it can be easy to lose sight of the necessities.
Why not dedicate some of the floorplan to a walk-through wardrobe? Not only does it create a sense of luxury but it can act as a dividing agent between the bedroom space and the ensuite. Also, doing away with traditional closets, especially on an external wall, means you can incorporate even more windows for natural light and ventilation.
This glass-fronted Gliss Master wardrobe unit is a stylish storage solution that can be customised to suit a range of configurations.
Your ability to incorporate useful storage — whether on a small or large scale — into your home may very well be the difference between whether you decide to move or stay put as your family grows and your needs change.
Author
Clare has spent the last 16 years working across Australasia as a journalist, editor and writer. Her work has appeared in books and publications around the world. Clare has led editorial teams for numerous architecture and design publications. In 2020, she was appointed Editor in Chief of HOME magazine, before taking the helm as publisher in 2023.
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