How to maximise storage space in your new home build
Storage might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re building a home, but it’s an essential part of the design process. Maximising your storage space makes your home more pleasant to live in and adds value when it comes time to sell.
There’s an additional benefit to building with storage in mind: knowing your storage options before moving in makes it easier to stay organised and keep your house tidy from Day One. Here are our room-by-room suggestions for maximising the storage space in your new build.
Living areas
Inbuilt shelving is a popular storage option for main living areas. Recessed bookshelves and cabinets are becoming increasingly common as they increase your available storage without taking up usable space in the room. Floor-to-ceiling recessed shelving adds an upscale look and feel, while providing plenty of places to display decor or keep useful items close to hand.
Hidden storage is also an excellent option for living areas and means you don’t need to fill your lounge with bulky furniture pieces. Consider a window seat with built-in cupboards, or pop down to a homewares store and pick up a couple of storage ottomans.
Kitchen storage
Kitchen storage is a major consideration in any house design, from ensuring there’s enough cupboard space through to the design and layout of your pantry. If your plan includes a smaller kitchen, overhead cupboards can provide a good amount of storage without compromising the amount of usable bench space. Kitchen islands can provide additional storage, with cupboards tucked away under the countertop, while vertical pullout cabinets come in handy for designs that don’t include a walk-in pantry.
Hanging or wall-mounted pot and utensil racks are another good option for smaller kitchens, providing an eye-catching feature while keeping your kitchen tools right where you need them.
If your space and budget allow, consider a walk-in pantry with inbuilt shelving, or a butlers’ pantry (which is similar to a walk-in but usually includes some food preparation areas – it’s where you might have your coffee machine and toaster).
Entranceway
The entrance to your home is a natural magnet for clutter, with shoes, keys, bags and sports gear often dropped higgledy-piggledy just inside the front door.
Adding a ‘mudroom’ at your front entranceway is a great way to increase storage space, as well as encouraging family and guests to keep the hall tidy! A mudroom is a small area at the front door, which often includes coat racks or a small closet and built-in seating with storage compartments. It’s the perfect place to keep muddy gumboots, work boots, umbrellas, and sports kit.
Bedrooms
Bedroom storage might seem simple, with the wardrobe providing the majority of your storage space. However, the type of wardrobes you choose will make a difference to the look and feel of the room, as well as your amount of functional space.
Walk-in wardrobes are a popular option in the master bedroom, as they give you more than enough room to keep everything organised! Your walk-in wardrobe can include inbuilt cabinetry, rails and shelving customised to suit your needs. If you have a sizable bedroom but would prefer not to include a walk-in wardrobe, a floor to ceiling partition behind the bed is a modern way to create a separate closet space.
Guest bedrooms and kids’ rooms might be better suited to a smaller inbuilt wardrobe, but there’s still room to add extra storage through smart furniture choices. Beds with under-bed drawers can effectively double your storage space in smaller rooms and are perfect for holding toys, spare linen, and winter clothing.
Outdoor storage
The outdoor living area is often overlooked as a storage space – but if you’ve got plenty of room outside, why stop at a garden shed? Bench seating with inbuilt storage is a perfect spot to stash gardening tools, cushions for your outdoor seating, and blankets for staying warm outside on cooler evenings. Options include permanent benches that match your decking or durable outdoor storage boxes that you can move as required.
If your outdoor living area includes a fire pit or chiminea, or if your home has an indoor fire, don’t forget to include a covered area for firewood.
Garage storage
A well-designed garage provides a lot of storage, but it can quickly attract clutter without a sensible system. Maximise your garage space with inbuilt shelving, then add in the storage systems that match your family’s needs. If you’re a keen DIYer, a wall-mounted tool rack and a dedicated workbench help to keep everything in its place. For outdoor enthusiasts, overhead pulley or rack systems keep bikes, kayaks and accessories out of the way – and open up more floor space for car parking or working on projects.
