You don’t want to cram every inch of your home with shelves and cupboards. But you will probably need more storage space than you have.

What does your storage space need to house? At the very least, it will include clothes, shoes and minimum of tableware and kitchen gadgets. On top of that you will have books and any number of other personal possessions.

Where to look

The first place to look is anywhere that provides a ready-made recessed. As these slots can be fitted with storage without robbing the room of any useful space. Alcoves on either side of a chimney breast can be transformed into shelves , cupboards , bookcases. All custom-made to fit the exact size. Shallower alcoves are perfect for bookcases, or fitted media cabinetry with top open shelving. Fireplaces themselves are useful spaces, can create full width and height wardrobes that can be custom designed to fit the exact space. If the fireplace is no longer in use. It is up to you to decide whether you leave these storage spaces open or front them with cupboard doors.

Doors can give the room a neater, more streamlined finish by continuing the line of the wall.

Unlikely areas

Do not waste high-level areas that can be used for storage, they can be easily created by experienced carpenter. Bespoke furniture is the way forward to achieve the sleek, neat look. The advantages of bespoke furniture is that all is created for that specific space. An example will be storage above picture rail height, which will probably need a custom-made ladder.

Usable space is often wasted behind doors, either because you do not think of looking there. Or because the door itself blocks off the space. There is probably enough available wall for a set of narrow bookshelves, or wardrobe.

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