12 Really Clever Storage Solutions to Reduce Clutter
Incorporate nifty drawer inserts, pull-outs and other innovative ideas to help you organise your home
Are you a storage nerd? Then you’ll be all over these ingenious ideas for keeping clutter at bay in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms.
In the kitchen
Inserts
Cabinet inserts and accessories are a common request in kitchen redesigns. There are in-drawer inserts, such as knife blocks and spice holders, which can be made (or cut down) to size to fit in any drawer.
Inserts
Cabinet inserts and accessories are a common request in kitchen redesigns. There are in-drawer inserts, such as knife blocks and spice holders, which can be made (or cut down) to size to fit in any drawer.
There are also pull-out inserts, as shown here, which are typically installed in lower units, and roll out to hold a variety of items, such as utensils, pots, pans and cutting boards.
Not lucky enough to have a wine cellar? And no space in your fridge? There are dedicated pull-out inserts for storing wine in base cabinets too.
Appliance stations
An appliance station is a cabinet specially designed to hold mixers, blenders, toasters and pretty much any other small gadget you may want to store. It puts those appliances within easy reach when you need them, but you can still tuck them away when you don’t, keeping your worktop free of clutter.
An appliance station is a cabinet specially designed to hold mixers, blenders, toasters and pretty much any other small gadget you may want to store. It puts those appliances within easy reach when you need them, but you can still tuck them away when you don’t, keeping your worktop free of clutter.
Appliance stations also can be equipped with special pull-out platforms that allow you to use a gadget without having to unplug it and move it.
A drawer inside the waste drawer
A pull-out waste drawer is a well known solution for organisation in the kitchen. However, adding a drawer inside the waste drawer (where there’s usually space above the caddies) is an inventive but discrete way to store items such as rubbish bags, oven mitts and hand towels.
A pull-out waste drawer is a well known solution for organisation in the kitchen. However, adding a drawer inside the waste drawer (where there’s usually space above the caddies) is an inventive but discrete way to store items such as rubbish bags, oven mitts and hand towels.
Tall, skinny drawers
Be creative with otherwise impractical spaces. Tall, skinny drawers have become increasingly popular for their space-saving efficiency. Install one on each side of your cooker to hold spices and oils. Or place one next to the sink to store washing-up liquid and other cleaning supplies.
Be creative with otherwise impractical spaces. Tall, skinny drawers have become increasingly popular for their space-saving efficiency. Install one on each side of your cooker to hold spices and oils. Or place one next to the sink to store washing-up liquid and other cleaning supplies.
Undersink storage
Another storage opportunity is the typically unusable area directly below the sink. Instead of putting a false panel on the front, consider installing a pull-out tray where your cleaning brushes and sponges can be kept when not in use.
Need more kitchen ideas? See the 10 best storage solutions for 2016
Another storage opportunity is the typically unusable area directly below the sink. Instead of putting a false panel on the front, consider installing a pull-out tray where your cleaning brushes and sponges can be kept when not in use.
Need more kitchen ideas? See the 10 best storage solutions for 2016
In the bathroom
Medicine cabinets
A storage essential for a bathroom, medicine cabinets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Big, chunky wooden pieces that stick out from the wall have been replaced by sleek, recessed boxes with mirrors that can smoothly slide open to reveal shelves, lighting, magnifying mirrors and even TVs.
Medicine cabinets
A storage essential for a bathroom, medicine cabinets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Big, chunky wooden pieces that stick out from the wall have been replaced by sleek, recessed boxes with mirrors that can smoothly slide open to reveal shelves, lighting, magnifying mirrors and even TVs.
Niches
A niche is an absolute must for me when designing a shower, shower/bath combo or even just a bath. Niches can be big or small, visible or hidden, one level or two. As a toiletry hoarder, my ideal niche is about 75cm wide and 45cm tall and, if possible, placed on a wall that makes it invisible when you enter the room.
A niche is an absolute must for me when designing a shower, shower/bath combo or even just a bath. Niches can be big or small, visible or hidden, one level or two. As a toiletry hoarder, my ideal niche is about 75cm wide and 45cm tall and, if possible, placed on a wall that makes it invisible when you enter the room.
Pull-outs
Pull-out drawers are more commonly seen in the kitchen, but they can be just as useful in your bathroom. Installing a couple in a full-height cabinet can make for easy storage and allows quick access to face creams, hair products, hand towels and other daily necessities.
Pull-out drawers are more commonly seen in the kitchen, but they can be just as useful in your bathroom. Installing a couple in a full-height cabinet can make for easy storage and allows quick access to face creams, hair products, hand towels and other daily necessities.
Another great place for a pull-out is in the cabinet underneath the sink, as shown here. The plumbing often gets in the way of seeing (and using) all the space in this area, but a pull-out helps eliminate this problem, making more of the space below easily accessible.
In the utility room
Valet rods
A valet rod is an awesome little piece of hardware that I believe is underrated. It can be installed on a wall or the outside of a cabinet and extended when you need to hang something, then put away when you’re done.
Valet rods
A valet rod is an awesome little piece of hardware that I believe is underrated. It can be installed on a wall or the outside of a cabinet and extended when you need to hang something, then put away when you’re done.
Ironing board drawer insert
Bear with me, because I’ve got to harp on about my love of drawer inserts one more time. There are inserts available that open to reveal a foldable ironing board, as shown here. Yes, a standard wall cupboard is another storage option for an ironing board, but if you’re a clean freak like me, a more covert solution like this one is too good to pass up.
Tired of having drying laundry around the house? Try these clever ways to disguise it
Bear with me, because I’ve got to harp on about my love of drawer inserts one more time. There are inserts available that open to reveal a foldable ironing board, as shown here. Yes, a standard wall cupboard is another storage option for an ironing board, but if you’re a clean freak like me, a more covert solution like this one is too good to pass up.
Tired of having drying laundry around the house? Try these clever ways to disguise it
Toe-kick storage
A drawer at feet level, otherwise known as toe-kick storage, is a perfect place to store items such as pet food and water bowls. Close to the ground but easily out of sight, this low-level drawer is ideal for you and for your furry friend. Another common item I see kept in these type of drawers are small step ladders. These nifty additions are great for kitchens too.
A drawer at feet level, otherwise known as toe-kick storage, is a perfect place to store items such as pet food and water bowls. Close to the ground but easily out of sight, this low-level drawer is ideal for you and for your furry friend. Another common item I see kept in these type of drawers are small step ladders. These nifty additions are great for kitchens too.
This is not an all-inclusive list, so don’t be dismayed if not all these storage solutions work in your room redesign. Instead take inspiration from what’s already out there and create something brand new that suits your exact needs. After all, no one knows what you need better than yourself.
To prevent these kinds of scenarios, think strategically about your storage, no matter which room you’re redesigning, and put relatively affordable innovations such as drawer inserts and pull-outs to good use. Here are a few of my favourite storage solutions for kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms.