Combining style and functionality in interior design often poses a challenge for homeowners. In most cases, they strive for a chic-looking home instead of trying to implement items that will serve a specific purpose and improve the practicality in their living area.
One aspect many people struggle with is storage space. A major reason for that is because they live in rather tight quarters that don’t really allow making extra room. However, no matter the size of your place, you can still be resourceful and make the most of your home’s square footage to make it seem like you have plenty of room available.
From the classic repurposed crates in the living room to the large credenzas in the bedroom, there are many ways you can make your decor more spacious and welcoming.
To help you get started, here are some unique interior design tips you can follow to organize, declutter and open your home for comfortable space living.
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For your entryway
Most times, people think of their hallway as a connective space to the rest of their home. That’s why they often pay less attention to it when they are decorating the interior and as a result, overlook the fact that this part of the house can also be used to maximize storage room.
From organizing the space under your staircase to installing wood shelves in the nook, there are many options you can choose from to increase the functionality of your corridor.
For example, if you have decorated your home to look a bit retro but still timeless, then you should opt for a stylish and practical mid century modern sideboard to add extra storage space for your shoes and other footwear items while adding more visual interest to the area.
For your dining room
No matter the size of your dining room space, it should always be as clutter-free as possible in order to create a comfortable spot to dine and entertain guests. This means including the right mix of seating and plenty of storage to keep all of your food items and crockery out of sight.
For example, depending on the orientation of your dining room area, you can opt either for a sideboard or closed cabinets to make use of the dead space next to your dining table. They are available in many designs and can easily become the focal point in the room. You can even enhance their appearance by hanging a wall art decoration above the furniture piece and draw all attention to it whenever you walk in.
For your kitchen
Keeping the kitchen’s clutter under control is an everyday struggle for many homeowners. Despite the many drawers and cabinets you already have, it often feels like you never have enough storage for all of your kitchenware.
You can start by doubling up your storage space in your pantry by implementing a few smart organizers. For example, you can add small turntables to hold pantry staples such as spices to make them easily reachable. This is because they have a spinning base that allows you to quickly grab anything you need.
Another practical storage idea is to try and squeeze in more shelves. You can attach a floating shelf to the side of your refrigerator cabinet using brackets or above your counter space to leave more room for food prep.
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For your living room
The living room is often the most crowded space in every home as it includes various decorative items that often make the room feel overwhelmed. In order to give the area a neat, organized and welcoming feeling, you should implement well-planned and stylish storage to achieve a practical and chic interior.
For example, you can install a customized wall unit to help you clear excess clutter from your coffee tables and living room credenzas. Not only will this furniture piece provide you with extra room to display your accessories, but it will also dress up the largest wall space in the room.
If you are looking for a more creative idea, then you should opt for a storage ottoman to keep other living room essentials out of sight.
For your bedroom
The bedroom also needs extra storage to make it feel less cramped. Unfortunately, homeowners who have rather small bedrooms often have difficulties achieving this because they are limited in space. But, there is no need to worry because there are plenty of genius ways you can make more room for your clothes, bedsheets and other bedroom essentials.
A very popular strategy is to get a storage bed where you can put anything you aren’t using at the moment. For example, you can store your winter blankets and other essentials to make more room in your wardrobe for your clothes.
If you are looking for a more stylish storage unit, then you can go for a bedroom trunk or a built-in bench under the window.
For your bathroom
The bathroom is usually the only room in the house that has the least storage space. Between all your skincare products, towels and other bathroom essentials, it is often challenging to make the interior look neat and spacious.
One common way to do this is to repurpose an older furniture piece that will function as extra bathroom space. You can place it next to your bathroom sink and your vanity and use it to store all kinds of bathroom necessities.
If you have items you’d rather not display like extra toilet paper or cleaning products, then you can opt for baskets that you can put under the sink. Depending on how much space you have available, you can stack more than two baskets and keep other bathroom essentials there.
Photo by La Belle Galerie from Pixabay
Final thoughts
For many homeowners, having a clutter-free interior is a real challenge especially if they are living in a smaller-sized home. However, no matter how limited you are in space, there are plenty of practical how you can maximize storage. From installing customized wall units to implementing stylish sideboards and cabinets, you have many options to choose from that will enhance the appearance and functionality of your interior.
In case you need help, you can borrow some of the ideas mentioned here and make your home look neat and organized in a creative way.
Cover photo by Jane Duursma on Unsplash
