Blog
Creative Storage Solutions: Maximizing Space with Smart Design

Storage is a universal challenge for homeowners. Whether you live in a spacious suburban house or a cozy urban apartment, finding enough space to organize your belongings can be a constant struggle. However, with smart design choices, you can maximize your storage to create a more organized, functional home. 

As Brigitte Rogers, Creative Director and Interior Designer at Wolstenholme Associates (WA) Interiors, explains, “Nobody has enough storage – and when you add a lack of organization, those are probably the two biggest challenges everybody is facing.” 

Wolstenholme Associates offers clients a one-stop-shop experience and having its own interior design team means they can offer new build or renovation clients a cohesive design concept from beginning to end. We sat down with Brigitte to learn the key tips she brings to her projects, which, coupled with the endless possibilities of custom millwork and cabinetry from Freedom Millwork, can transform your home into an organized haven. 

1. Declutter First

Before adding storage solutions, take time to declutter and donate, sell, or discard things you no longer need or use. This will make organizing the rest much easier. Brigitte emphasizes that every inch of your home counts but if you’re dealing with a project on an existing home, the first step to a more organized home has to be decluttering. “Get rid of the things that are no longer serving you. Donate them, sell them, give them away,” she says. “And from there you can start to maximize your space.”  

2. Look Up!

Brigitte points out that people often don’t realize where they have space but that an interior designer can spot opportunities in even the smallest room. In one project, Brigitte was tasked with maximizing the storage for a teenager’s bedroom that had enough room for the bed but little else. She took a fresh look at the space to figure out what was possible and decided on floating nightstand shelves beside the bed. She then hung pendant lamps from the ceiling above, freeing up the limited surface area. 

“Look up and take advantage of wall height, even in closets,” says Brigitte. “Use stackable storage boxes, add hooks, and hang seasonal items on higher hooks if you have limited shelving.”

3. Think Creatively About “Dead” Spaces 

Areas under the stairs, above cabinets, or in awkward nooks can be transformed into valuable storage. “Anywhere we can find those little pockets of space is huge,” says Brigitte. 

This is also a prime opportunity for custom cabinetry. While buying stock cabinets or shelving might be challenging for odd spaces, custom millwork can turn overlooked areas into organized storage zones concealed from view. “Freedom can create storage with millwork that looks like moulding, but when you press it, the door opens to storage behind it,” says Brigitte. In fact, the Freedom Millwork showroom has a bookcase with a hidden door leading to a wine storage room! 

4. Consider Multi-Functional Furniture

Teamwork between an interior designer and a custom millwork shop is so valuable here, because  
being exposed to different places and solutions means that the professionals can often come up with creative solutions that homeowners may not have considered.

Furniture pieces that do double-duty, like ottomans or sofas with hidden storage compartments, can be especially useful in small spaces. Whether using beds with storage drawers in kids’ bedrooms or a sofa that conceals a throw blanket or magazines under the cushions, choose furniture that can help maximize your space and hide clutter.  

Interior design and custom cabinetry can take that a step further. For instance, in a recent project, Brigitte worked with Freedom on a vanity for a bathroom that was large but had no storage except for a tiny linen closet. “We designed a 10-foot vanity,” Brigitte explains. “It has tons of cabinetry; tons of drawers and it actually has two linen cabinets built in. It looks like a beautiful structure in their bathroom, but it gives them a space to store towels or small items.” 

5. Customize For The Way You Live 

Brigitte recommends when possible, opting for custom cabinetry and storage solutions tailored to your specific needs. Effective storage isn’t just about having enough space – it’s about using that space wisely, and customization allows you to maximize every inch of space in a way that works for how you live. 

 “As a designer, you want the home to be beautiful and give the homeowner everything they want,” explains Brigitte. “But you also want them to be happy when they’re living there, not complaining that, while it looks nice, they can’t function in the space.” 

One of the biggest advantages of having designers, builders, and other professionals on the project from the start is the ability to take expert advice on the goals for the home and the solutions that will work for your unique needs.  

“We have a kitchen project now, and we sent a questionnaire to the client in advance. How much do you entertain, how often do you cook, how many people do you entertain? Do you host holidays? Do you work from your kitchen island?” says Brigitte. “We ask questions that help us envision how people utilize and live in their space. And from there, the design aesthetic is one component, but functionality is the guide.”  

6. Don’t Forget About Style

While functionality guides the ‘what’ and the ‘where’, the look and style of your storage solutions can add (or detract from) the beauty of your home. “We often say to clients, ‘You could have a beautiful blouse and a beautiful skirt – separately, they’re amazing, but they don’t go together.’” The same principle applies to storage: it should be functional but also cohesive with your overall design aesthetic.  

For instance, it makes sense to include antique chests or console tables in a more traditional home or cottage, but a more modern aesthetic might call for cleaner lines or concealed cabinetry. A recent project for Freedom and WA Interiors was for a Scandinavian modern home. “It’s very clean, sleek, and modern, and everything is concealed and organized,” says Brigitte. 

7. Plan Ahead When Building or Renovating 

If you’re building a new home or renovating your existing one, consider how your storage needs might change. “We have a client who has said ‘I want to grow old in this home,’” says Brigitte. “That means designing storage so she won’t have to bend over to get pots and pans or reach too high for dishes. So along with organizers for plates that keep them at waist height, we have incorporated a drawer with built-in organization for vitamins and medication.”  

Cabinet technology and functionality are always changing and improving. Working with a designer, builder, and millwork professional means you can incorporate smart storage solutions into the design that will make your life easier well into the future. 

8. Don’t Forget the Details 

Not everything has to be about an extensive renovation or new build. Brigitte also has tips for small organizational tools that can make a big difference. For example, custom kitchen drawer organizers can keep everything from utensils to spices neatly arranged and easily accessible. Appliance garages can keep kitchen equipment tidy and out of view. 

“When storage is custom-built for the things you have in your kitchen, it cuts down on the clutter, and it makes the most out of your space,” says Brigitte. “It also looks beautiful when everything’s well-organized.” 

Even if you’re not naturally tidy, you can still create a sense of organization. As Brigitte suggests, “My biggest takeaway is not everyone is super organized. And if you’re not, at least get some matching bins and hide it.” 

Ready to Get Started? 

By thinking creatively about storage and working with professionals who understand both design and functionality, you can create a beautiful home that supports your lifestyle with smart, efficient storage solutions. 

For more inspiration on creative storage ideas and interior design, check out WA Interiors on Instagram at @wa_interior_design. 

Take a look at Freedom’s gallery for the latest in storage solutions for the different areas of your home. 
 
If you’re thinking about a new build or simply improving the storage in your home, contact us today.  

The images in this blog post represent collaborative projects with Wolstenholme Associates and Freedom Millwork.