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File all your home information Avoid wasting time searching for essential information about your home by keeping it all in one place. Whenever you sign up for a new bill, buy something for the home, or even paint a wall, keep the related paperwork. Allocate a few folders to store the information, no matter how trivial you might think it is – you never know when you might need to refer to old flat-pack instructions or find the name of a particular paint shade.
This smart wall unit was a very clever Ikea hack. The shelves are classic Ikea Billy bookcases, and the cabinets below are kitchen bridging units. Interior designer Malcolm Begg of DesignSixtyNine attached the cabinets to the base of the wall and laid a sheet of wood on top. He screwed the bookcases to the wall upside down, and attached a cornice to the top. The whole thing has been painted grey to give it a cohesive, bespoke look.
Choose a zen work space If your bedroom doubles up as your home office, make sure your dedicated work area doesn’t impinge on the calm feel of your room. Simply choosing a desk that looks attractive and ties in with your scheme will help. This midcentury desk has become a feature of the room, and the plentiful storage keeps things tidy and uncluttered. If you have the space, a hideaway desk is a smart option, too.
Shutters in downstairs front windows
Make designs dual-purpose “Before you look at building extra storage, consider ways you can make the most of the space you have,” Jane says. “The easiest solution is to have dual-purpose furniture that doubles as storage. Pieces can often incorporate drawers or compartments.” Another suggestion is to create a raised platform by building up a higher level of floor. “You’ll need a few steps to get onto it,” Jane says. “Then within the depth of the platform, you can conceal all sorts of storage solutions. It’s a good way to hide a bed, or kids toys, or anything really.”
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