From stylish coffee tables with storage, to ottoman beds and wall-mounted baskets, we look at all the ways you can maximise storage in small or awkward spaces. 

If you live in one of London’s ‘studio apartments’ that’s well located but low on floor space, or if you’re trying to squeeze 2.4 children into a compact two-up, two-down then it’s likely you’re no stranger to storage space frustrations. It might not be space that’s the issue, you may live in one of those wonderfully eccentric houses with a mix of tall-ceilinged open spaces, offset by an abundance of nooks and crannies that look utterly fabulous but invite clutter chaos. In all too many homes, and for all too many reasons, the storage-nightmare is real.

Whatever the root of your storage space dilemma, we’re here to save the day with some creative solutions that’ll not only give you plenty of places to put things, but will look great too. From stylish storage-inclusive coffee tables to easy DIY hacks, we’ve got it covered.

1. Make use of vertical spaces

Who said you had to stick to horizontal surfaces when storing things? There are loads of fun and quirky door-hanging frames, which look as good as they are useful. We love hanging wire baskets, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, perfect for storing those little knick-knacks that usually get lost under sofas/beds/the eternal pile of post on the kitchen table.

2. Put away more than coffee with a storage coffee table

Coffee tables with storage compartments built in are one of life’s brilliant inventions. Not only do they look fantastic, they can literally double the storage space in smaller rooms. From delightfully heavy trunk coffee tables with deep-set drawers, to sleek, two-tiered tables with an in-built shelf underneath, there’s something to suit every taste and need. If you’re a magazine hoarder, go for the shelved version – there’s something both enticing and attractive about a display of glossy publications. And if yours is a household forever littered with fiddly electronics (chargers, iPads, more chargers), opt for a drawer set. Out of sight, out of clutter-hating mind.

3. Make the most of alcoves

One of the most annoying layouts to deal with is one characterised by lots of awkward alcoves. They’re too small to accommodate any kind of seating or standalone bits of furniture, creating a useless waste of what could otherwise be quite valuable space. If this problem sounds familiar, try getting your DIY hat on and building some shelves directly into the alcove, or find an expert who can do it for you. Not only will it look like an intended interior design feature, it’ll make great, practical use of that previously ‘non-space’ space.

4. Be creative with bookcases

Bookcases double up as great shelves, and are generally shallower and narrower than traditional cabinets. Use one to slot into the gap by your bed, and fill it with tasteful trinkets, jewellery boxes, clocks, lamps, storage baskets and even the occasional book if it takes your fancy. And if you’re feeling really creative, we’ve seen some Grand Design-esque uses of bookcases as headboards that are, frankly, ingenious. Not only do they look impressive, they provide even more space to play with elsewhere in your room.

5. Maximise space with clever furniture choices

Nothing will diminish space and potential storage spots faster than poorly-chosen furniture. From awkward, not-quite-square, not-quite- to clunky dining room chairs and sofas that are so deep you struggle to get out of them, these bad-picks create overcrowded chaos. That is, until you ditch them and replace them with sleek, space-loving choices instead. If your room is narrow, go for a slim sofa with legs – something that enables you to slide storage baskets underneath. And if it’s an awkward shape, try minimalist, square-shaped tables that fit snugly into corners.

6. Store things in your bed, not just under it

In bedrooms that are too small to offer an adequate amount of wardrobe space, ottoman beds can be a real-life saver. This is all about maximising on those chunky pieces of furniture that take up so much of our homes i.e. the giant king-size you had to squeeze into your already too-small room on account of someone’s bed-hogging issues. An ottoman bed doubles up as what is essentially a generously sized wardrobe, and makes all your storage problems (and bickering) diminish for the foreseeable future.

7. Make a feature of storage in the kitchen

Love impeccably designed kitchens but struggle with a tiny space? It’s time to get creative. If space is too limited to hide everything away, then turn a negative into a positive with storage solutions that are also cool, eye-catching features – hang utensils above the cooker, stack cook books on the worktops, and slot crockery into plate racks on the walls. If you love kitchen islands but don’t feel you have enough space for one, something that can work really well is to remove some of your side cabinets to make room, and introduce an island with inbuilt storage.

8. Show off your wardrobe

If your house is lacking in built-in storage space but feels too small to accommodate standalone or even inbuilt wardrobes, opt for open clothes rails instead. They take up a fraction of the space, and can serve as chic design features in themselves, giving your bedroom an eclectic and textured feel.

Storage dilemmas are present in most households, but when you’re working with a small space it can make things feel ten times harder. That’s why it’s important to get creative with your space-saving solutions. With a little imagination and practical thinking, you’ll be able to turn your home from cluttered and chaotic to serene, tidy and utterly tasteful.