Storage space
In flats substantially smaller than 1,000 square feet, the interior design focus is not necessarily on personal taste, but rather on the effective use of space - and particularly on maximising storage
Plan your space
It's important to look at the whole space and to visualise how it is going to function before you start buying furniture. The first step is to plan your space on paper - it can be quite difficult to imagine how your belongings will fit in otherwise. Don't over-design and put too many items in the available space. Plan the whole house before you start decorating - this is much better than decorating in an ad hoc fashion.
Flexible shelving
Ready-made shelves can be installed just about anywhere to create storage for books and decorative items, toys, glassware, and china. If you intend to store heavy items, make sure the brackets are securely anchored. Choose cabinets with efficiently spaced shelves, so that you can easily reach objects stored at the back. A good starting point is to space the shelves about one foot apart (in terms of height), enabling you to easily retrieve objects without disturbing the rest. If you have the space in a bedroom, set up a floor-to-ceiling cabinet, where you can store large or bulky objects.
Create space in unusual places
If your hallway is wide enough, it can double as an effective storage area if you line the walls with shelves or shallow cupboards. You can also create a "closet" by storing bulky items such as golf clubs, camping equipment and baby strollers behind a decorative folding screen in a little-used corner. If you have a staircase in your home, you can easily create a storage area for anything from children's toys to suitcases and sports equipment by enclosing the underside. The space you create could even be used as a pantry.
Be creative in the bathroom
Hang a wicker basket on the bathroom wall for storing towels, tissues, soap and bath toys. Your shower rod can easily do double duty if you attach extra hooks for hanging objects such as a back brush, net bag for bath toys and washcloths. Choose shelves that offer convenient storage without intruding on floor space - for example using the space next to the basin, behind the door or above the toilet.
Effective storage in the bedroom
Build a headboard storage unit. You can keep extra linen and blankets inside, while placing books, lamps, an alarm clock or a radio on top. Use flat roll-out bins for under-the-bed storage. They can hold bed linen, sewing supplies and infrequently used items. For a double-duty ottoman, build a plywood box with a hinged cover. Add a thick cushion for comfortable sitting, and store your magazines in style.
Make your kitchen more efficient
Small, modern kitchens offer limited storage options, so you have to be creative. Store crockery and cutlery near the dishwasher, so that they can be easily and quickly stored away. Keep placemats flat and out of the way by hanging them on a clipboard hung from a hook inside a kitchen cupboard or on the pantry door. Free up counter space by placing your microwave oven on a shelf above the counter. Hang your sharp knives inside or on the side of a high cabinet to save drawer space.
Organise the laundry room
An easy way to organise your laundry room is to create shelves that can hold coloured plastic baskets - one colour for each family member. When you take clean clothes out of the dryer, place each person's clothes into his or her own basket. Family members can then fold and put away their own clothes.
All-in-one living space
If you live in a tiny studio flat, the all-in-one solution is to hide everything away until you need to use it. Wall beds can be integrated into a storage or office system, converting a great office by day into a bedroom by night. The kitchen can be open-plan, and integrated into your living room. If you have one big room, use screens or cabinets to create separate spaces.
Don't over-decorate
Keep your home style minimalist and smart. Functionality should go hand in hand with style. Don't clutter your space. Less is definitely better than more.
Get professional advice
Professionals can help you visualise and design, a space efficiently and according to your needs. They'll come up with specific solutions for issues like clothes storage. Moreover, they will do all this in a way that is both visually appealing and functional.
