Modern home interiors have a strong element of minimalism about them. Add in the current enthusiasm for decluttering, thanks to Marie Kondo and others, and the goal is to have as little as possible visible in your living spaces.
But this trend creates a problem – if you do have stuff, where do you put it? Thankfully, most modern homes do incorporate a reasonable number of storage spaces. The tricky part is taking full advantage of those spaces to maximise their storage capacity.
Here are 5 ways you can get the most out of the storage spaces in your home.
1. Identify and Measure Your Storage Spaces
To begin with, work out what amount of storage space you have available, so that you can work backwards from there. This will help you work out what sort of storage containers may be appropriate for the space, and also determine if you need to do some decluttering before starting to fill you storage spaces.
2. It’s Hip to Be Square
When it comes to storage containers, square (or rectangular) is always best for space efficiency. If you’ve done step 1 already, then you’ll be able to work out how many of your chosen containers will fit in your space. Round containers can look great as a decorating feature in open shelving, but in a cupboard they never fit flush and you end up with dead spaces.
3. Quality!
It’s tempting to buy the cheapest containers you can find, particularly if you need quite a few. If you’re storing clothes in a wardrobe, it’s probably not going to matter, but if your storage area is subject to large temperature changes, exposed to the elements or accessible to pests, then reist the temptation to go cheap and buy better-made versions. If you’re storing things long-term, plastic is best.
4. Stack the Deck in Your Favour
In large spaces, containers that stack or nest are definitely best. Nesting containers can be both stylish and practical. Watch for extra “bits” such as wheels on the base, that may interfere with the container’s stacking ability, particularly if you’re mixing different types of containers.
5. Boring is Best
Smaller containers are often sold in sets, with only one or two containers in each size. This can make them difficult to stack into a specific space. Multiples of the same size are the easiest. Also check the size of the items you are storing and make sure you buy enough containers of the right size to hold everything.
So there you have it – 5 ways to maximise your storage spaces. If you choose to put items out on display rather than tuck them away out of sight, then you can go crazy with attractive, stylish or colourful jars and baskets. But for your utilitarian storage areas, it’s all about maximimising the space. Time to get storing!