If one of your new year’s resolutions was to be more organised, then these storage options will help you re-claim your living area.
If you’re short of space, remember that many storage options are dual purpose; free-standing shelves will double as room dividers, wooden trunks can be used as seats and a stack of pretty cardboard boxes in different sizes makes impromptu shelves.
Here’s our pick of what’s available:
1. Cardboard storage boxes, The Contemporary Home
Perfect for holding all these useful everyday odds and ends, such as pens, notebooks, scissors and sticky tape, the smallest box of this set of three is also divided into compartments to hold drawing pins, paper clips etc. The fresh, bright colours are perfect for spring, and will fit into any décor. Priced at £30 for the set, from The Contemporary Home.
2. Wooden storage boxes, The Old Cinema
While we’re on the subject of storage boxes, we can’t resist these hand painted wooden boxes made from reclaimed teak, from vintage and retro specialists The Old Cinema. They’d look great in a home office, for holding documents, stationery, CDs or business cards. Priced at £45 each, from The Old Cinema.
3. Storage bench, Decker
Possibly the most versatile piece of furniture you’ll ever buy, this storage bench is crafted from solid birch wood, and has a cushioned top covered in linen-mix fabric. Position it at the end of a bed, or use it as extra living room seating, covered with bright scatter cushions. Priced at £269, available from MADE.
4. Movable shelving unit, Plantabox
We love this quirky shelving unit from apple crate specialists Plantabox. It’s made of four large crates bolted together and mounted on wheels to make it movable. It would be perfect for a pantry, conservatory, summer house or utility room, and it’s available in a range of six colours to suit your colour scheme. £89.95 from Plantabox.
5. Wall shelves, The French Bedroom Company
These cute wall shelves are designed to look like a mirror frame, and are perfect for providing extra storage space in the bedroom. Use them to hold CDs, books and ornaments, and drape jewellery and scarves from the carved edges of the frame. Available from The French Bedroom Company, priced at £145.
6. Oak ladder shelves, Mobius Living
If DIY drives you dotty and flatpack frustrates you, then this ladder shelf is for you. Made from solid oak, there’s no self assembly required and the design means that it’s completely stable when just leant against a wall. Available from Mobius Living for £225.
7. Wooden toy chest, Gift Wrapped and Gorgeous
With a hint of the Captain’s chest or old school trunk about it, this beautifully-crafted solid oak toy chest will last for years. It can be personalised with a child’s name or message, and once your children have outgrown their toys it will still have a long career as a coffee table or storage chest. Made to order by Gift Wrapped and Gorgeous, £395.
8. Seagrass Basket, Bloomingville
This squashy seagrass basket will make itself useful holding bathroom necessities, toys, magazines, paperwork…..Keep one at the bottom of the stairs to collect all the things that need to travel upstairs on your next trip, and if there’s really nothing to put it in you can roll it up and put it out of the way. £24 from House Envy.
9. Wine rack, Living It Up
This (s)wine rack makes us chuckle. Made from sturdy, lasercut steel, he’ll sit on top of a shelf or bookcase and hold up to six bottles of wine – let’s just hope the little swine doesn’t finish them off. £49.99 from Living It Up.
10. Wall wire paper rack, Drift Living
Tidy up your home office with this wall-mounted wire rack, perfect for holding all those bits of paper you can’t afford to loose, from books of stamps to urgent correspondence. At only £11.99 each, you could create your own wall-mounted filing system. Available from Drift Living.
That wine rack is amazing! In my home I don’t think it’d ever stay full long enough though…