The Insider: How to store stuff
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Is it wrong to admit an obsession with storage that borders on fetish? Probably. Oh well. Still, there must be a lot of us out there – that exciting downstairs bit of Ikea with all the nice boxes is vast. But beyond tantalising cardboard magazine racks, how can you get your fix?
Closed doors
Why keep wardrobes in the bedroom? Spruce up a junk-shop find with a splash of Farrow & Ball colour, then keep the hanging rail and hide coats in it in large halls, or fit MDF shelves inside and bundle in toys, bed linens or even crockery or food in the kitchen.
Tread the boards
Many Victorian houses have a void between the floorboards and the ground, says Hugo Tugman of architect-yourhome.com. He installed a rowing machine beneath the pull-up flaps in his home – but you could stash all sorts down there.
Best foot forward
Too many shoes? Display them on your stairs.
Sit on it
Bench seating makes great secret storage – but it can be hard to get at. Consider hinged flaps on the front rather than the top for easier access, and design it to fit crates on casters so everything inside is contained.
Wheelie clever
Cycles can be hideously cluttering; ceiling hoists are around £10 on Amazon, while Cycloc's wall-mounted gizmos (£59.95 plus delivery) look swish.
Shelve it
Lakeland's under-shelf baskets for kitchen cupboards and under-sink shelves are genius.
Hole in the wall
No space for sticky-out shelving? Ask a builder to insert niches for nick-nacks into suitable walls.
Storage porn
For further ideas, smallplacestyle.blogspot.com is a sexy source of inspiration for tidy nerds.
Find Kate's blog on affordable interiorsat yourhomeislovely.blogspot.com
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments