Order in the House

Revamping a room? By making use of awkward and unused areas, you can maximise storage and free up your living space.

Kitchen makeover
Kitchens are all about storage – and the more we use them as family rooms the more important it is to keep clutter under control.

If you’re planning a new kitchen, it could be a good idea to fit corner units with carousels or pull-out sections so you can make use of hard-to-reach nooks. Pull-out larders with wire shelving can also help where you’ve got a narrow or deep space.

Avoid dust traps above wall units by building cupboards right up to the ceiling. In small spaces, instead of bulky wall-hung units, try narrower shelving starting at work surface level and going all the way up the wall.

Bathroom bliss
Replacing a pedestal sink with a vanity unit instantly creates space for cleaning products and spare loo rolls. But there are other ways to make use of wasted space. If you are putting in a shower with a stud wall to conceal pipework, create purpose-made recesses in the wall for shampoos and body wash – a neater solution than corner baskets. Likewise, if you’re fitting a back-to-wall toilet, make use of the false wall that hides the cistern and soil pipe to create extra cupboard space. You can also often fit hidden cupboards at the ends of built-in baths. In very small bathrooms, utilising wall-hung units could be a good way to free up precious floor space.

Sleep easier
One way to create storage space in the bedroom is to build a false bedhead a metre from the wall and use the area behind for shelving or sliding cupboards. Another idea is to fit a double row of hanging rails, one above the other; you can buy pull-down “wardrobe lifts” for under £100 for the upper row, which gives you easy access. Another idea is to have wall-mounted bedside lights to save space on bedside tables and beds with mattresses that lift up to reveal hidden storage – sleeker than old-style divans, and great for storing out-of-season clothes.

Living is easy
Need to create extra seating for parties? A seat-high plinth along one wall can house the TV, DVD player and shelving, plus, with cushions added, provide temporary seating for guests. All you need is some MDF and a decent joiner.

Why not also invest in some shallow wheeled baskets that slide unseen under sofas – good for making small toys and colouring books disappear if you don’t have a separate playroom. A bespoke built-in corner sofa will also maximise space and provide useful storage under the seat cushions.

Out it goes
Finding it hard to declutter? These simple criteria will help you decide what needs to go.

• Is it useful or beautiful? If it’s neither then why have you got it?
• Got more than one? No one needs more than one iron, kettle or hairdryer. Recycle the surplus ones.
• Hanging on to your past? Keep the photos from your skiing or horse riding days and dump the goggles and rosettes.
• Is it out of date? Technology moves fast, so send that redundant video recorder and cassette player off for recycling. Charity shops will often take old video and cassette tapes.
• When did you last…? If you haven’t touched the juicer, curling tongs or breadmaker in the past year, then you probably won’t in the next. Pass them on to someone who will make better use of them.

It could make sense to have a review of your contents to make sure that your home insurance provides the right level of cover for all your possessions - particularly if you haven't done this for a while.