Smart storage solutions

If you are looking for extra storage, all you have to do is think of smart solutions. An old trunk repainted or powder-coated and used as a centre table can hold books, for instance. The skirting used for wardrobes or computer tables can be converted to drawers for storing footwear or stationery.

In an ideal world, infinite and uncluttered space could be yours for the taking. But in reality, to be able to live well in a small space is a challenge in itself.

Whether it is an apartment or work area, one of the main-stays of making life easier within a limited space is to create enough storage space. The thumb rule is to design easily accessible, clever and sleek storage solutions with a place for everything.

Additional help can come in the form of hardware such as channels, heavy-duty hooks in all sizes, shelf-supports or adjustable shelves which are easily available in many varieties and brands.

Here are some ingenious storage ideas you could use to give a neat streamlined look to your house or workspace.

Vertical pull-out panels or a mesh can be inserted into a three or four-inch narrow space (could be next to the kitchen cabinets). Hooks fixed to these panels / mesh boards can be used to hang pot-holders, brushes, tools etc.

A six-inch space next to a washing machine or refrigerator which is thought to be unusable can have pull-out drawers for handy storage.

An old trunk repainted or powder-coated and used as a centre table can hold books. Alternatively, the trunk can be accessorised with a seating-cushion and can be set in a corner of your bedroom. It can be used to store old clothes, toys or sleeping bags.

The skirting used for wardrobes or computer tables can be converted to drawers for storing footwear or stationery.

Six-inch partition walls between the kitchen and dining/living room can be knocked down and in its place a sleek bar or crockery cabinet can be installed.

Bulky items like a guitar or other music equipment, dish-drainers etc can be hung up on walls when not in use as they eat up a lot of floor and counter-space.
Seaters, stools, pouffes can be made with openable tops to store knick-knacks.

Horizontal plywood slats jutting out by two inches on the sides of wardrobes or the inner sides of a study-area can hold magazines and books. This makes for a sleek and space-saving magazine-rack; innovative too.

Instead of closing up the sides of study tables or work tables, convert the legs into slim-line shelves.

These can easily fit in your pen-holders, small tools, paint-boxes etc.

While clever and creative storage can help you organise your everyday rubble and paraphernalia, they can also create clean lines and visually increase space in your interiors.

(The writer is a practising interior designer.)