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Architects’ Tips to Help You Plan Perfect Storage
Before you embark on a renovation, take a look at this expert advice to ensure you incorporate all the storage you need
Amanda Pollard
11 giugno 2019
When you’re planning a project for your home, it’s a good idea to think about storage right from the start. We asked three architects to give us their top tips for ensuring a redesign includes plenty of places to store your belongings.
Professional advice from: Angus Eitel of Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors; Jane Leach of i-architect; Nimi Attanayake of Nimtim Architects
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Professional advice from: Angus Eitel of Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors; Jane Leach of i-architect; Nimi Attanayake of Nimtim Architects
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Think ahead
Before you plan any shelves, cupboards or drawers, it’s important to know exactly what you need to store. “The first thing to do is make sure you’re not wasting your time and money creating storage for things you don’t really love or need,” Jane Leach says.
Nimi Attanayake highlights the importance of speaking to your architect about storage from the outset. “A good team will offer practical solutions to the challenges of construction,” she says. “At the early stages, your architect can plan the overall spatial strategy alongside the storage.”
Before you plan any shelves, cupboards or drawers, it’s important to know exactly what you need to store. “The first thing to do is make sure you’re not wasting your time and money creating storage for things you don’t really love or need,” Jane Leach says.
Nimi Attanayake highlights the importance of speaking to your architect about storage from the outset. “A good team will offer practical solutions to the challenges of construction,” she says. “At the early stages, your architect can plan the overall spatial strategy alongside the storage.”
Tailor to fit
Once you’ve identified those items you’re going to keep, you can then start planning storage for them. “Group like with like and decide in which part of your home it makes sense to store each category,” Jane says. “Consider what you do in each room and what you need nearby to support your use of that space.”
“Work out what you need the storage unit to contain and design it accordingly,” Nimi says. “Think about the details: for example, work desks and TV units need a lot of cables, so it’s often neater to locate the cable route and drill holes into the storage to conceal them.”
“Consider ergonomics, especially your own physical needs,” Jane adds. “A height of between 800 and 1800mm is easiest for most adults to access. If you struggle to crouch down, you can use drawers for lower storage to make it easier to get to things, especially at the back.”
Once you’ve identified those items you’re going to keep, you can then start planning storage for them. “Group like with like and decide in which part of your home it makes sense to store each category,” Jane says. “Consider what you do in each room and what you need nearby to support your use of that space.”
“Work out what you need the storage unit to contain and design it accordingly,” Nimi says. “Think about the details: for example, work desks and TV units need a lot of cables, so it’s often neater to locate the cable route and drill holes into the storage to conceal them.”
“Consider ergonomics, especially your own physical needs,” Jane adds. “A height of between 800 and 1800mm is easiest for most adults to access. If you struggle to crouch down, you can use drawers for lower storage to make it easier to get to things, especially at the back.”
Don’t forget the details
“Think about materials, colours and whether you want the storage to stand out or blend in with the space,” Nimi says.
“The material should be suited to the space,” she adds. For example, bathroom storage is best made from water-resistant materials, such as tiled or melamine-faced plywood. She also advises that external storage should be made of hardwearing materials, such as cedar, larch, polyester powder coated [PPC] aluminium, or a modified timber called Accoya.
Nimi also suggests you can save money with clever planning. “The door materials could be different, with more cost-effective surfaces used for the carcasses,” she says. “Also consider whether the storage needs slatted doors for ventilation or for a remote signal to go through to a TV box.”
Find a local architect or building designer to help with your project.
“Think about materials, colours and whether you want the storage to stand out or blend in with the space,” Nimi says.
“The material should be suited to the space,” she adds. For example, bathroom storage is best made from water-resistant materials, such as tiled or melamine-faced plywood. She also advises that external storage should be made of hardwearing materials, such as cedar, larch, polyester powder coated [PPC] aluminium, or a modified timber called Accoya.
Nimi also suggests you can save money with clever planning. “The door materials could be different, with more cost-effective surfaces used for the carcasses,” she says. “Also consider whether the storage needs slatted doors for ventilation or for a remote signal to go through to a TV box.”
Find a local architect or building designer to help with your project.
Adapt for an open-plan room
Many of us choose to design our homes with an open-plan layout, which provides a lovely feeling of space and connection. However, this type of scheme does present some issues. “The loss of wall space results in a loss of storage space,” Angus Eitel says.
Angus’s solution is to merge storage in the different zones to create a harmonious look. “Using kitchen cabinets in the adjacent living space makes perfect sense,” he says. Here, for example, large kitchen units are positioned at the back of the living room to create a wall of storage.
“Island units are another solution,” he says. “Many manufacturers also offer plinth drawers, so you can utilise every inch of space.”
Many of us choose to design our homes with an open-plan layout, which provides a lovely feeling of space and connection. However, this type of scheme does present some issues. “The loss of wall space results in a loss of storage space,” Angus Eitel says.
Angus’s solution is to merge storage in the different zones to create a harmonious look. “Using kitchen cabinets in the adjacent living space makes perfect sense,” he says. Here, for example, large kitchen units are positioned at the back of the living room to create a wall of storage.
“Island units are another solution,” he says. “Many manufacturers also offer plinth drawers, so you can utilise every inch of space.”
Get creative
“Consider the house as a volume, not just a floorplan,” Angus advises. “Use every bit of space you can, including those hard-to-reach spots, such as under the stairs. It may be that some clever tricks can be employed by a designer to provide easy access.
“The bathroom, for example, is an area where some simple advance planning can make all the difference,” he continues. “Incorporate storage in false walls that conceal pipework and the toilet cistern.”
“Consider the house as a volume, not just a floorplan,” Angus advises. “Use every bit of space you can, including those hard-to-reach spots, such as under the stairs. It may be that some clever tricks can be employed by a designer to provide easy access.
“The bathroom, for example, is an area where some simple advance planning can make all the difference,” he continues. “Incorporate storage in false walls that conceal pipework and the toilet cistern.”
Go to new levels
“Look high for places to add storage,” Jane says. In a kitchen, for instance, cupboards can be extended right up to the ceiling. “You can add more cabinets on top of wall cupboards, so they use the full height of the room,” she says.
“Consider, also, storage solutions that hang from the ceiling that you can drop down then raise again using a pulley system,” she suggests. “You can do this with all sorts of things. Typically, traditional clothes airers used this system, but it works for storing bikes or even a bed.”
“Look high for places to add storage,” Jane says. In a kitchen, for instance, cupboards can be extended right up to the ceiling. “You can add more cabinets on top of wall cupboards, so they use the full height of the room,” she says.
“Consider, also, storage solutions that hang from the ceiling that you can drop down then raise again using a pulley system,” she suggests. “You can do this with all sorts of things. Typically, traditional clothes airers used this system, but it works for storing bikes or even a bed.”
Exploit the eaves
A loft conversion provides a good opportunity to edit your possessions. “Loft conversions result in the loss of a significant amount of storage, which offers the opportunity to undertake some serious decluttering,” Angus says.
“However, there are certain items that can’t be sent to recycling, such as suitcases and Christmas decorations, so it’s important to ensure that any loft conversion makes good use of the total volume,” he says.
“Pay particular attention to the hard-to-reach perimeter spaces, such as the eaves,” he advises. “It’s important that this is considered from the outset, to ensure the structure is designed appropriately to allow access, and the flooring and insulation are installed correctly.”
A loft conversion provides a good opportunity to edit your possessions. “Loft conversions result in the loss of a significant amount of storage, which offers the opportunity to undertake some serious decluttering,” Angus says.
“However, there are certain items that can’t be sent to recycling, such as suitcases and Christmas decorations, so it’s important to ensure that any loft conversion makes good use of the total volume,” he says.
“Pay particular attention to the hard-to-reach perimeter spaces, such as the eaves,” he advises. “It’s important that this is considered from the outset, to ensure the structure is designed appropriately to allow access, and the flooring and insulation are installed correctly.”
Squeeze in a utility area
It’s worth asking an architect to try to incorporate a separate storage zone away from the kitchen, say our experts.
“We often recommend a small utility-type space adjacent to a kitchen, which can double as a boot room or garden access,” Angus says. “With efficient space planning, you can house a significant amount of stuff in a tight spot.”
It’s worth asking an architect to try to incorporate a separate storage zone away from the kitchen, say our experts.
“We often recommend a small utility-type space adjacent to a kitchen, which can double as a boot room or garden access,” Angus says. “With efficient space planning, you can house a significant amount of stuff in a tight spot.”
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.”
“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.”
Work in display space
Our experts recommend having both concealed and open storage in your home. “When briefing a designer, make sure you mention any objects or collections you’d like to display from the outset,” Angus says. “A full-height bookshelf can be incorporated into a design very easily and can house a significant number of books or collectibles.”
“If you want your space to look more designed,” Jane adds, “make sure you curate the visible objects and hide the rest away. You could select the display items based on colour, texture, shape or style to give a cohesive look.”
Tell us…
Are you planning storage as part of your renovation project? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Our experts recommend having both concealed and open storage in your home. “When briefing a designer, make sure you mention any objects or collections you’d like to display from the outset,” Angus says. “A full-height bookshelf can be incorporated into a design very easily and can house a significant number of books or collectibles.”
“If you want your space to look more designed,” Jane adds, “make sure you curate the visible objects and hide the rest away. You could select the display items based on colour, texture, shape or style to give a cohesive look.”
Tell us…
Are you planning storage as part of your renovation project? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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