Hide away
By thinking laterally about what to store and how to store it, you should come up with something that fits neatly into your design scheme. Jane Drew reports
1. Expand your horizons
With the average local home covering less than 600 square feet, having somewhere to put away all your unsightly clutter is a must. But don’t get frustrated at the lack of storage offered by most apartments – there are as many different types of storage solutions available as there are categories of items that need to be stored.
2. Showcase
If you have room to create a focal point with your storage units then really go all out and create something that’s unusual. Sure, wall-hung shelving gets books and CDs off the floor, but what about using a great looking Chinese wedding cabinet instead for a solution that’s both practical and pretty.
3. Divide and conquer
Creating storage space that acts as a room divider is a great cheat. It minimises the amount of space you use by splitting it over two rooms. And it doesn’t have to comprise of a basic cabinet: choose a sleek attention-grabbing unit that ups the bar design-wise and helps create a link between the two rooms.
4. Take it outside
Task-specific shoe cabinets are a superb invention, and if you are really pushed for space hang them in the communal hall outside. This is something of a local tradition (no one will steal them). You can even add in a chair, so that people can sit down and remove their shoes before coming inside.
5. Library space
For all bookworms, shelves are essential for restoring order to a room. Open shelves are great for providing a studious and relaxed feel, but you can also consider a solution with sliding doors. This way books can be covered up at a moment’s notice to maintain the minimal and contemporary feel of a space.
6. Have an agenda
Always take an inventory of what you need to store. Start in the living area and move onto the dining room. Collate these if the space is shared. Identify what you need to put away – books, CDs, DVDs, the entertainment unit, sports equipment, children’s toys… Shop around for a smart solution that you can adapt as your needs change and your collection expands.
7. Fitting tribute
Not all storage needs are about hiding junk away. For many of us, it is also about displaying the treasures that we’ve picked up along the way. Consider dual-purpose cabinets that make a show of the pieces you want people to see, and provide somewhere to hide the pieces that you don’t.
8. Let there be light
It’s always a good idea to fit wardrobes with lights so that you can see all the way to the back; this also means you won’t have to turn on the overhead light in the mornings if your partner is sleeping late. Likewise, in a mixed-use cabinet, target down-lights to create a central focus on artwork, accessories or a simple floral arrangement.
9. Small to big
For small spaces keep storage simple and consistent and see just how stunning the result can be. The consistency will result in a feeling of spaciousness, and if you use naturally reflective materials, such as high-gloss veneers or tempered glass, the light will bounce back and forth making the room feel larger.
10. Customise for control
Having specialised storage made, to fit your space and suit your style, is a neat and surprisingly inexpensive option. Simply call in a contractor to measure up your room (and what you need to store). Fitted wardrobes, with shelves and hanging spaces specifically planned for your clothes, shoes and bags, really take the strain off Hong Kong living.
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