Storage Tips For Small Homes

Posted on: 18 May 2020

There are many advantages of living in a small home, such as lower bills and less time spent keeping your home clean, but there are some potential disadvantages, too. Storage can be a challenge for those living in small spaces and certain rooms that tend to house a lot of regularly used items, such as the kitchen, can easily look cluttered. Not having a space to keep your favourite things can make your home seem impractical, but there are a wide variety of storage solutions to help you make the most of your living space. Here are a few storage tips for small homes.

Make Use Of Dead Space

You likely already have standard shelving around your home, but have you considered installing shelves along the top section of your walls or in the space between the doorframe and celling? These areas are considered dead space because they are typically not used, and while it wouldn't be practical to store items you use regularly so high up, high shelving is ideal for items that are only required occasionally, such as seasonal bedding and some kitchen appliances. You could also make use of dead space in kitchen cupboards by fitting slide-out storage racks below cupboard shelves and attaching small racks to the inside of doors. In the bathroom, fit an under sink cabinet around the pedestal to provide boxed in shelving, and in the bedroom, consider using wheeled drawers under your bed in place of a bulky chest of drawers.

Utilise Multifunctional Furniture

When purchasing new furniture for your home, try to opt for multifunctional pieces that offer storage or fulfil more than one need. For example, some L-shaped sofas have a section that lifts up and allows you to use the sofa base as for storage. You could easily keep books, toys, bedding or memory boxes in this space. A lift top coffee table elevates the table and can be used as a desk for working or studying, and you can store your laptop and other home office essentials inside the table. Additionally, if you require a floor lamp, opt for one with shelving built into the stand to provide you with book storage space.

Consider A Storage Unit

If you've employed all the space-saving solutions you can think of and your home still feels too cramped, you may want to look at renting a storage unit. This can be a particularly good option for families living in small homes or for those with hobbies that require the use of bulky equipment. Storage units come in a variety of sizes, so you won't have to pay for space you're not using, and many storage companies offer flexible terms that allow you to try it out without committing to a lengthy contract. You can access a storage unit whenever you like, so in some ways, it's like having a garage or attic that's not attached to your home.

These are just a few ideas for carving out a little more space to relax in when you have a small home. Focus on how you use your home, your lifestyle and your values when assessing your living environment and you'll be able to find innovative ways of maximising your current space.

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Storing my household

Last year I was offered a really awesome 12-month work secondment in New York, but of course I couldn't take all of my stuff over there as I have a 4 bedroom house here and I sure wasn't able to afford that in New York! I had to go through the process of packing everything up so that I was able to rent a furnished place over there then come back to all of my belongings. This blog is all about how to be an efficient packer and how to store your items properly if you are heading away for a period of time.