Canny Storage Ideas
In my opinion good interior design is more than just choosing a colour scheme. An aspect that I consider key to intelligent design is the incorporation of ‘canny’ storage.
To my mind clever, or canny, storage is the equivalent of a good filing system; everything must be easily retrievable whether it has been put away for the long-term or short-term.
It must also, wherever possible, enhance a scheme rather than detract from it.
There are some obvious solutions but some might require a little more imagination.
Under-bed storage is an obvious solution and inexpensive storage containers can be purchased specifically to fit this void. Vacuum pack bags can reduce the volume of items being stored, such as clothes, bedding, or other soft miscellany, thus allowing more to fit inside the container.
Dividing walls are far from a new invention but can be used to hide unsightly items. In the photograph below a pine shelving unit as been placed at right angles to the wall to hide an ugly filing cabinet and printer.
The view is taken from the open doorway so passersby only see the shelf and its contents, and not the hidden office equipment.
In my sitting room I have a matching oak coffee table and side table. I chose both as they have a shelf below the table top surface on which I can neatly store DVD’s, magazines, TV remotes, etc. This provides easy access to the items when required but otherwise they are neatly stowed away.
Bowls, napkins, and coasters are kept on this unit in easy reach for impromptu nibbles.
I favour baskets in my home as they are both practical and decorative. The three on top of my double wardrobe contain out of season clothing, such as swimwear in the winter months, and thermals in the summer.
The contents are easily switched to my chest of drawers when the seasons change.
Ikea sell very sturdy, relatively inexpensive, albeit flat-packed, furniture in many different styles. I mixed and matched these pine-veneered and white veneered chests to fit under the eaves of my bedroom ceiling.
The deep drawers are ideal for storing sweaters and T-shirts which would otherwise take-up hanging space in my cupboards. The pine-look units also have a shallow pull-out tray inside the top drawer which accommodates small items such as scarves, socks, and jewellery.
Storing shoes can be a challenge if they are kept in their boxes as it is not always easy to recognise them. A neat way of overcoming this problem is to photograph the relevant footwear and adhere the picture to the side of the box.
They can then be neatly stacked inside a wardrobe or cupboard and easily found when needed.
When cupboard space is limited use ‘over-the-door hooks’ to provide additional hanging space. These come in many different styles and conveniently hook over the top of a door. They are particularly useful in bathrooms for hanging towels and dressing gowns.
Garden storage is equally important and it is possible to find stylish options at garden centres and on the internet.
The arbour below serves several purposes. It provides privacy and protection from the elements where the hedge has receded to virtually nothing; it has a big trunk in which to store garden games; and when the trunk is closed it becomes a seat on which to sit and enjoy the early morning sunshine.
Anyone for croquet?
There are obviously infinite methods of storage and far too many to mention here. Sometimes a little imagination goes a long way to introducing canny storage.
An example of a less conventional method in my home is this set of three decorative glazed flower pots that I have on my kitchen windowsill above the sink.
One contains the dishcloth, one the scourers, and one a vegetable brush.
I know what is in each one but to anybody else they are just attractive blue pots sitting on the windowsill.
I hope this helps with your storage dilemmas and would be pleased to hear from you with your canny ideas.
