New places to hide
Ceiling-mounted shelves require ample structural support from above.
You can never have too much storage space. Whether you live in a house or a condominium unit, the need for a place to hide items is always essential.
However, many of today’s homes are getting smaller as real estate prices continue to rise. Though the best solution would be to limit your possessions, there are just some things that can’t be thrown away.
So if you aren’t keen on the idea of renting a storage unit or throwing stuff out, how can you make the most of your space? Is there an alternative to minimalist living when you just can’t let go of things?
Thankfully, many designers nowadays would answer with a resounding yes.
Today, different storage solutions are being developed to satisfy our constant need to keep things.
While others might find the designs wacky or inconvenient, there is no question that these solutions have given a new spin on the concept of storage space.
Beyond your traditional cabinets and shelves, there are actually other places in the house where you can keep your stuff. It’s up to you to decide which one of these solutions can help you maximize space, while allowing you to live comfortably.
Ceiling
The ceiling is often an underutilized part of a room. While not all ceilings are capable of supporting storage, overhead storage racks have become popular in the international market.
Usually installed in garages, attics and basements, these unique storage solutions require ceiling joists to support the suspended rack.
As per one manufacturer’s website, the ceiling-suspended storage racks can support load up to 750 pounds. A combined attachment to the wall and ceiling, however, can further increase the maximum load up to 1,000 pounds.
Though not readily available in the Philippines yet, this kind of storage space is worth exploring as it clears up the room beneath the racks. It is also suited to accommodate hazardous chemicals and equipment, safely out of reach of children and pets.
Floor
Under-floor storage keeps clutter hidden from view.
Raised flooring is a common architectural feature in offices where data wires and cables are concealed underneath floor tiles. These tiles can easily be lifted to allow maintenance of the items underneath.
Similarly, raised flooring can provide additional storage to homes short on space.
Constructing storage space underneath the floor boards is not complicated. You can either create an opening on the existing floor or better yet, create a new platform to sit above the original floor.
It can easily be done by a do-it-yourself hobbyist. It requires, however, ample ceiling height to allow the space above to remain useable. For condominium units and townhouses, this kind of storage can do wonders to maximize space.
Corner
Room corners are considered dead spaces because they rarely accommodate traditional furniture.
For those willing to consider custom-made shelving, corners have great potential in accommodating random knickknacks and sprucing up a room.
Cabinets, shelving, or even pull-out tables—imagination is the limit when it comes to deciding how you can utilize a corner. There are also ready made furniture for corners available in the market, if you know where to look. At best, having one fabricated will allow you to dictate its design and modify it to suit your storage needs.
Under-bed space
The space underneath the bed should no longer be considered the hiding place of imaginary monsters.
Instead, this area can be used to accommodate low containers or unique cabinetry.
You can go all out by customizing bed frames to include a storage underneath. A cheap alternative, however, would be to just place your stuff in enclosed boxes and baskets and place them underneath your bed.
Transforming furniture
For a room with limited space, furniture that is able to accommodate a variety of activities can do wonders.
From Murphy beds to pull-out tables, there are a lot of multi-purpose furniture that are available nowadays. These can also be customized to suit actual room dimensions.
It should be considered that not all tasks can be accommodated by transforming furniture. If you have to use the desk while your partner is still sleeping on the bed, this kind of storage might not be ideal for you.
Nevertheless, the capacity of these items to transform an entire room is an ingenuity worth looking into.
Overall, you have to be creative if you wish to maximize living in a small space. It would be difficult to install all kinds of unique storage solutions in your home, but one or two can already help you make the best use of your space. At times, these items can even serve as accent features in the room.
Allow your imagination to run wild to help keep your things organized.
While you cannot do anything to increase the area in your home unless you renovate, you can always find cheaper ways to maximize your space.
(Sources: “The Cabrio Bed” by resourcefurniture.com; Hiart via Wikimedia Commons; royalquartz via blog.wickerparadise.coml; www.qanvast.com; www.kinggeorgehomes.com; www.seedsandfruit.com)
The author is a licensed architect who studied abroad and currently works for DSFN Architects. She dreams of living in a home with high ceilings which she can modify into a small loft with pull-out storage.
