Transition spaces are often overlooked when trying to find extra storage space. What about a wall in your stairwell – is there room for shallow (but effective) shelf? Or around door frames – is this a good spot to add bookshelves? Remember, when storing paperbacks, the shelves often only need to be about 15cm deep. Surely you can’t spare that somewhere?
Consider investing in any sort of furniture that can be folded or packed away. For instance, these days blow-up mattresses (such as those by Aerobed, www.aerobed.com.au) are such good quality, you don’t need to buy a cumbersome second guest bed. Prices start at $159. Also, don’t forget trundle beds or bunk beds in kids’ rooms. Wall beds are another option. These look like cupboards until you open the doors and pull the bed down. They can be expensive, but once they’re installed they can be there forever. If you live in a studio apartment, this is an excellent way to hide your bed away by day; or if space is tight in the spare room you can just pull the bed down when you have guests. Interfar (www.interfar.com.au) is one Sydney company that makes custom-built wall beds with special mattresses designed for vertical storage; prices start at $2060.
Any piece of furniture that can perform more than one task is a godsend for those of us who struggle with space in our homes. For example, why not buy a stool that also works as a side table for nibbles when you’ve got guests? Or use an ottoman as a footrest one minute and as a coffee table the next?
In kids’ room’s it’s good to buy furniture that has storage, like beds with drawers or large units with flat surfaces you can put things on. Try the Trofast storage combination, $149 from Ikea. It has six pull-out compartments for storing toys, and they can stack their books inside on top.
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