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Finding extra space for storage with custom cabinetry

Clive Anderson / Finding extra space for storage with custom cabinetry

Finding extra space for storage with custom cabinetry

Published in December 3rd, 2019
Living room decor with alcove custom cabinetry

You do not want to cram every inch of your home with shelves and cupboards, but you will probably need more storage space than you have. If you want to keep your living space clear and uncluttered. Make the best possible use of wasted corners and unexplored angles, by investing in custom cabinetry.

What does your custom cabinetry need to house? At the very least, it will include clothes, shoes and a minimum of tableware and kitchen gadgets. On top of that you will have books, CDs, videos and any number of other personal possessions. Some more important than others, and some needing more regular access than others. Photographs and letters are precious but you will not need to get at them too often, so they can be hidden away in closed storage. While everyday tableware needs to be near at hand and easy to retrieve and replace.

Where to look

The first place to look is anywhere that provides a ready-made recess, as these slots can be fitted with custom-made cabinets without robbing the room of any useful space. Alcoves on either side of a chimney breast can be transformed into fitted bookcases, custom-made cupboards or fitted wardrobes and are deep enough to take chunky equipment like televisions, music systems. Shallower alcoves are perfect for fitted bookcases for books and CDs. Fireplaces themselves are useful spaces: if the fireplace is no longer functioning, or you are happy to forgo the idea of an open fire. You can remove the fittings and reline the space to provide a deep, practical recess.

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.

Remember the prioritizing process you went through earlier. You may have to make sacrifices to create effective storage for the things that really matter to you.

Storage in an open-plan room

Published in August 5th, 2019
built-in cupboard

Whether space is tight or you are just looking for a way to incorporate plenty of unobtrusive storage. In an open-plan room, a built-in cupboard, bespoke furniture is a savvy choice. Especially if it’s painted the same colour as the walls. When it comes to the dining room – or dining area, if your home has an open-plan layout. The question of storage usually revolves around tableware, cutlery/ flatware, glassware and linens.

Dining room storage

The chances are that you will be able to answer most, if not all, of your dining-room storage needs with one statement piece of furniture, such as bespoke furniture.Alternatively, you might opt for a custom-built display cabinet with cupboards below and shelves above. Or even a built-in cupboard with open shelves. Built-in storage and custom-made furniture are particularly useful in a narrow room. Because they can be made to any depth or size, much better than many floor-standing pieces.
Another handy option for a small space is custom-made banquette seating with integrated storage. Floor-to-ceiling built-in cupboards help to keep the dining space shown above free from clutter and provide a sleek, minimalist backdrop for the vintage table and chairs.

Custom-made display cabinets

A great choice will be custom-made display cabinets since tableware and glasses as well as all manner of other things. Can be displayed decoratively while being protected from gathering dust.
Storing breakables must be approached with caution. Plates for example, should only ever be stacked in piles of eight or fewer. Another worthwhile addition to a dining area might be a wine rack, which will allow you to grab another bottle of red during dinner. Pursuing a similar line of thought, you might decide that the dining room is the best place for a drinks cabinet.
Finally, consider any other purpose that your dining room may have. Perhaps it doubles as a study or a place to do homework. Dedicate a built-in cupboard to that activity, so that anything relating to the room’s additional function can be kept in one place.

Living room – Storage requirements

Published in December 17th, 2018
storage cabinets

As a recreational space, the living room often has simpler storage requirements that the parts of the home with specific practical functions (for example, the kitchen). Even though it tends to be the place where we spend most of our waking hours. The majority of living room only need storage provision for entertainment technology. Media collections and comfort related items such as firewood, cushions and throws. That said, living spaces with a dual purpose – those with a corner used for hobbies or a play area – demand special consideration, consider investing in a bespoke furniture.

Uncluttered look

For an uncluttered look, try to invest in storage that keeps the TV, games consoles, media players and any discs collections out of sight – a specialist unit or a fitted cupboard will do the job nicely. If you don’t mind your TV screen being always visible. There’s no reason why you can’t re-purpose another kind of cabinet as an entertainment centre, simply by drilling holes in the back for the cables. Glass fronted examples can be a benefit here, as remote controls will work without the doors having to be open. But make sure that there is adequate ventilation. Or you could find that your electrical equipment is overheating. There are plenty of designs available with integrated shelves and drawers. Even some with a laptop table that rises up, simultaneously offering a higher level surface and access to the storage space inside.

Fitted storage

If you live in a period home, your living room may already feature fitted storage. Such as shelves and cupboards either side of the chimney breast. If it doesn’t, this traditional arrangement is both pleasingly symmetrical and makes good use of the alcoves; without encroaching too much on the floor space, so it is well worth emulating.
A more contemporary take would be to create a whole wall of storage, concealed behind sliding doors. Where literally anything and everything could be stored; allowing you to have only carefully edited belongings on show in the rest of the space.

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