Innovative storage solutions for small homes

Corners are the most difficult areas to design around, so they are often left unloved and forgotten. They are perfect for objects and shelves that don't obstruct access.

To think differently about corner space, it can help to look at a kitchen design which is purely function and see how kitchen designers utilised every spare corner for ease of access. Then walk through the other living areas and see how those concepts might be used throughout the home.

The lonely corner shelf doesn't have to be a mere functional space either. It can be turned into a visual feature of its own like this beautiful feature by Fundamental Berlin. Add a small spotlight or lamp. Collect all the miscellaneous clutter into decorative boxes and store them on the new shelves.

The space under stairs is often a clutter magnet. To properly use this space, bookcases or covered shelving can be installed for innovative storage solutions. A variety of shelves can be installed for storing awkwardly shaped household items such as cleaning items, bikes and boxes of children's toys.

To finish the look, install a sliding door to create a clean aesthetic or even a sliding door to create a clean, simple look like Germany designers Held Schreinerei have done here. Even better, build a small kitchen island on wheels that can be slotted perfectly under the stairs when not in use.

The divan bed dates back to the romantic era when it was used in boudoirs across Europe and the Middle East. A perennial favourite, the simple and minimalist divan bed comes in a huge variety of styles, one of which includes an array of storage solutions.

From the pop up top to the sliding drawers beneath, the divan bed creates a clean, quiet space for your bedroom storage. While the pop up bed may be more helpful for spare sheets, pillows and duvets, the slide out drawers may be more suitable to access items of daily use.

Bathroom wall shelves often take up unnecessary space and tend to be filled with an unsightly display of various personal products. One solution is to install classy, deep wooden drawers to hide all your products.

Another common problem is the space gobbling towel rack. Save your wall space and install little cubicles for rolled towels. Alternatively, another popular solution is to hang towels off a beautiful wooden bamboo ladder that utilizes your very precious vertical space.

The original kitchen larder was a cold room somewhat separated from the rest of the house. It was eventually killed off by the advent of the kitchen fridge and has come to be something between a large kitchen cupboard and a storage room. Essentially, it's a space just for food.

Over the years we have become overly reliant on the less environmentally friendly fridge. But many things we keep in the fridge can be kept in a simple cupboard.

As long as the cupboard is dry and all pulses are adequately sealed, many of our essentials can be moved to a simple cupboard. The key is to keep it large with lots of display areas so at one glance you can see most of your ingredients and spark that desire to cook.

For anyone who has grappled with storage solutions in a small space, the humble bookcase has been a long standing favourite. But what is not always appreciated, are the variety of approaches to the simple bookshelf.

The bookcases can extend to the ceiling to take advantage of every square meter and introduce a feeling of spaciousness.

Introduce a variety of shelving. Install hinged doors and create a mix of open and closed compartments. The open shelves can neatly display televisions and audio equipment while the covered compartments can hide untidy collections of objects you might need, but may not necessarily want on permanent display. The doors can also create a clean uncomplicated design for a modern look.

Tip – leave some of your open shelves partially empty to create a sense of spaciousness and enjoy your new clean and uncluttered space.