study

Now is the time to de-clutter your home because a spacious and clutter free environment promotes good things, is less hazardous and let’s face it, so much nicer to live in; and it also creates a positive mind-set. So where should you begin? Why not optimise your storage at home using clever storage solutions to streamline your environment?

LOVE YOUR LIVING ROOM

Dual-purpose furniture is the way to optimise storage of your belongings and keep your living room tidy and clutter free. Make your coffee table work harder for you and invest in one with shelves or secret compartments. Alternatively a wooden chest or dresser with drawers where you can store bits and bobs, and ottomans and footstools used to store away your winter blankets, cushions, board games and magazines, are all great investments towards reclaiming your sanctuary.

Images: Wilko

SPACIOUS HALLWAYS

Every family has an abundance of shoes, most of which will get removed at the front door. Why not dissipate an unruly mess and keep the family’s shoes stowed away neatly in a shoe storage cupboard? A tall or wide shoe cupboard is a must to store shoes so that you don’t trample dirt and dust indoors, plus it keep them hidden away. Again a dual-purpose piece of furniture, the top of the shoe cupboard can also used as to store keys, letters and ornaments.

Images: Argos

TIDY KIDS MEAN HAPPY ADULTS

Whilst we know it’s hard to get your little one to keep their bedroom or play area tidy, you can always arrange toys and books into brightly coloured cubes and fun, colourful storage units. Look for ones with plenty of drawers for toys, stationary and other bits and pieces, so you’ll be able to keep clutter to a minimum.

Images: Argos

Stackable storage boxes are perfect for storing toys and games. Invest in ones with a crocodile lid so you and your child can easily access both sides of the box without having to take off the whole lid or pull out the whole box if it is stored under a bed or desk. Because these boxes are stackable, you can also save on floor space.

Pop-up tidies are a great invention as they can hide a multitude of dirty laundry, shoes and toys and they can be folded away as a flat pack when you’re not using them.

Images: George at Asda

A GROWN UP BEDROOM

Make your bedside table work harder for you. A bedside table should be stylish but it must be practical, so make sure you choose something that can multitask all your essentials. Folding storage boxes are a great way to store extra bed linen or chunky, winter knits. They usually come in faux suede or leather with a padded lid and can be used as additional seating in the bedroom. These storage boxes can easily fold up in seconds so you can store it away when you don’t need it.

If you have a dressing table or a flat surface on a chest of drawers then utilising this area with storage and Perspex or mirror tidies for cosmetics is a good way to keep things neat and away.

Images: Home Bargains

SAVOUR A SLEEK STUDY

To make your study area work for you, create storage in specific areas that you occupy most often. If you have a study, an office or even a desk area, utilise and desk tidies and drawer inserts to maximize on your space and hide clutter. Drawer inserts are perfect for creating a bespoke organising system and they fit into most existing drawers. Crates and drawers that can sit upon the desk are also great for hiding clutter; you may even find some have a dual purpose with a front facing noticeboard or chalkboard.

Images: Clas Ohlson and Wilko

Lastly think about optimizing walls for storage. Perfect for any room in the house, including bathrooms and kitchens, floating shelves, cubes and hanging racks will help create more space.