Home Style: Declutter & find inner space

FIND INNER SPACE

Need a new year clear-out but have no extra storage?

Emily Horton asks the experts for advice...

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1 - Interior designer Emma Farquharson is passionate about storage solutions in the home: 

“For most of us, space is at a premium – so get creative, knock out voids and make the most of awkward corners – such as this bespoke kitchen-living area wall office (right, above)" 

“Consult house plans to discover hidden, unused areas. Take out fitted accessories and get clever with layout (right)”

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STAIRCASES

"Staircases are first on the list to look at when wanting to make the most of unused space. Install a series of cupboards underneath, then look above; for those with lots of books, install a bookcase on the back wall of the stairwell."

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CORRIDORS

"Corridors can accommodate extra shelving – where there is a stud wall instead of solid brick, build shelving into the wall rather than having it protrude from it. Or try a slimline cupboard that sits neatly under windowsills."

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ATTIC ROOMS 

"Attic rooms can be made beautiful even if containing the eaves of the house. Try creating custom-made cupboards or shelving to fit into awkward areas."

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BEDROOMS

"Bedrooms: sliding doors are slimline and perfect for small rooms or between two bedrooms, like in this family home where parents needed to read to two children at the same time. Guest rooms often have more than one function – consider a folding bed that goes from a single to a double."

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BATHROOMS

"Bathrooms can become cluttered when trying to fit in the prerequisite toilet, bath, sink and shower, plus somewhere to keep toiletries and bulky towels. Look to the back of the toilet cistern or around the bathtub to locate cupboards or create recesses for all those pots and potions. Why not consider a mirrored recessed medicine cabinet? Sitting flush to the wall, you will hardly know it’s there."

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LAUNDRY

Laundry areas often become wasted space or home to an untidy pile of miscellaneous items. Build a cupboard that occupies the wall space from floor to ceiling where you can sit your dryer and/or boiler on top of your washing machine, then conceal behind doors.

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2 - Claire Potter of Blue Door Bespoke in Guildford helps clients clear up the clutter:

Is your home leaving you feeling cluttered, tired and with little space to feel in control? Beat the junk with tips from Claire:

“Clearing out the clutter is cathartic. Revive and redefine your living space and help clear your head space, too!” 

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1 Prioritize your goals or risk losing heart and not completing the job.

2 Start at the top and work down, regardless of the size of the job.

3 Bite-sized chunks will help you see and enjoy your progress. If you have six shelves to clear, set your goal at two per session, ideal for short bursts.

4 Finish the task in hand, however big, to leave you feeling better and able to map your achievement.

5 See past emotions when confronted with a room full of happy memories. Pack treasures away safely – you’ll always have them even if you don’t see them every day.

6 Ask yourself: will I miss that item – really? What emotional or practical value does it hold? Does it serve a purpose? When did I last use it? Do I even like it?

7 Identify purpose: is the item for display or can you use it differently?

8 Lists help avoid a messy pile. Get boxes at the ready and label them: ‘family and friends’, ‘to sell’, ‘reuse and recycle’, ‘charity’ or ‘dump’. 

9 Charities often have furniture dedicated shops and a man with a van.

10 Auction houses can sell lots on your behalf, or...

11 Gum Tree and eBay are worth trying if you have the time.

12 Satisfaction will be your reward. By selling your old possessions, you can treat yourself with the proceeds and revel in newly-founded space.

Good luck!

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