14 Clever Storage Solutions from Best of Houzz Winners
We need storage space in every room, but can it be both practical and attractive? Our pros prove it can
If there’s one thing the world’s homeowners can agree on, it’s that smart storage solutions are game-changers in everyday life. These examples from the 2023 Best of Houzz Design winners show just how clever and beautiful they can be.
2. Unity through colour
Bachmann Interior Design, France
This corner of a boy’s room in a Parisian flat cleverly incorporates a built-in desk with shelves and drawers, visually tied together by a dusty green that is accented by leather handles.
Bachmann Interior Design, France
This corner of a boy’s room in a Parisian flat cleverly incorporates a built-in desk with shelves and drawers, visually tied together by a dusty green that is accented by leather handles.
3. A three-in-one solution
FV2 Architektur, Germany
The built-in furniture in this scheme not only provides storage space for books and a cosy reading nook, it also serves as a room divider that can be closed with sliding panels. This way, the bedroom can be completely separated when needed.
Tempted by built-in furniture? Find local carpenters and joiners on Houzz.
FV2 Architektur, Germany
The built-in furniture in this scheme not only provides storage space for books and a cosy reading nook, it also serves as a room divider that can be closed with sliding panels. This way, the bedroom can be completely separated when needed.
Tempted by built-in furniture? Find local carpenters and joiners on Houzz.
4. Hiding the dressing table mess
ALL & NXTHING, UK
In this bedroom, bespoke wardrobes are fitted either side of a chimney breast, while the shallow central section hosts a neat vanity area complete with a mirror, shelves and a stool. The icing on the cake? Folding doors hide all the odds and ends when not in use.
ALL & NXTHING, UK
In this bedroom, bespoke wardrobes are fitted either side of a chimney breast, while the shallow central section hosts a neat vanity area complete with a mirror, shelves and a stool. The icing on the cake? Folding doors hide all the odds and ends when not in use.
5. A secret door bookcase
M&B Design, Italy
These doors add a magical element – what looks like a classic bookcase opens in the middle to reveal a room beyond. The frameless pivot doors rotate around an axis instead of hanging on classic hinges.
M&B Design, Italy
These doors add a magical element – what looks like a classic bookcase opens in the middle to reveal a room beyond. The frameless pivot doors rotate around an axis instead of hanging on classic hinges.
6. A small storage unit sets the scene
a-typic | Chloé Vallo, France
Sometimes, there’s no room for a dedicated hall and coat cupboard. In this flat, colour defines a tiny dressing area with angled shelves and baskets for odds and ends.
a-typic | Chloé Vallo, France
Sometimes, there’s no room for a dedicated hall and coat cupboard. In this flat, colour defines a tiny dressing area with angled shelves and baskets for odds and ends.
7. A hidden walk-in wardrobe
Cicerone Group, Spain
When closed, this looks like an ordinary wardrobe. But when opened, the large wooden folding doors reveal a spacious walk-in dressing area with plenty of storage space.
Cicerone Group, Spain
When closed, this looks like an ordinary wardrobe. But when opened, the large wooden folding doors reveal a spacious walk-in dressing area with plenty of storage space.
8. An efficient laundry set-up
Mooney Furniture & Design, Ireland
This practical laundry unit features eye-level machines for easy access, with hamper drawers underneath and a handy pull-out platform to place the basket on or use as a folding station.
Mooney Furniture & Design, Ireland
This practical laundry unit features eye-level machines for easy access, with hamper drawers underneath and a handy pull-out platform to place the basket on or use as a folding station.
9. An outdoor fireplace with built-in storage
Quill, New Zealand
A single outdoor fireplace or a firepit is a lovely addition to a garden, but this space shows the potential for adding extra convenience, including a handy storage spot for firewood and open shelving where blankets can be stashed for chillier evenings.
The top shelf also allows for decoration, tying the interior aesthetic to the adjacent outdoor area.
Quill, New Zealand
A single outdoor fireplace or a firepit is a lovely addition to a garden, but this space shows the potential for adding extra convenience, including a handy storage spot for firewood and open shelving where blankets can be stashed for chillier evenings.
The top shelf also allows for decoration, tying the interior aesthetic to the adjacent outdoor area.
10. Maximising storage in the eaves
Design: Heger & Cie – Die Häusermanufaktur; construction: Schreinerei & Möbelmanufaktur Mayr, Germany
In an attic with mainly sloping walls, it can be difficult to create enough storage space. To help, this wardrobe uses the basic principles of an apothecary cabinet to create small sections for storing clothes.
The angled units are easy to roll out, as they’re on castors, and, when closed, they have a minimalist aesthetic.
More: 16 Loft Bedrooms With Clever Storage Solutions
Design: Heger & Cie – Die Häusermanufaktur; construction: Schreinerei & Möbelmanufaktur Mayr, Germany
In an attic with mainly sloping walls, it can be difficult to create enough storage space. To help, this wardrobe uses the basic principles of an apothecary cabinet to create small sections for storing clothes.
The angled units are easy to roll out, as they’re on castors, and, when closed, they have a minimalist aesthetic.
More: 16 Loft Bedrooms With Clever Storage Solutions
11. A multipurpose kitchen island with laptop storage
Rogue Home Interiors, USA
This walnut kitchen island doubles as the homeowners’ office workstation, so designer Melinda Woodruff added a slim shelf under the quartz worktop for storing a laptop and other materials.
Sockets at the back allow the owners to charge their devices, while drawers on one end hold papers and other supplies.
Rogue Home Interiors, USA
This walnut kitchen island doubles as the homeowners’ office workstation, so designer Melinda Woodruff added a slim shelf under the quartz worktop for storing a laptop and other materials.
Sockets at the back allow the owners to charge their devices, while drawers on one end hold papers and other supplies.
12. Space-savvy design for a child’s room
Kirsten Johnstone Architecture, Australia
This window seat has storage drawers underneath and flows seamlessly into a desk with overhead cupboards. Floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobes include double-height hangers, drawers, shoe storage and shelves, ensuring there’s a place for everything in this child’s room.
Kirsten Johnstone Architecture, Australia
This window seat has storage drawers underneath and flows seamlessly into a desk with overhead cupboards. Floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobes include double-height hangers, drawers, shoe storage and shelves, ensuring there’s a place for everything in this child’s room.
13. A functional appliances hideaway
Tandem Studio, Germany
This bespoke corner cupboard elegantly conceals the washing machine and tumble dryer. It also provides space up to the ceiling for towels and other bathroom items.
The oak slat construction – closed at the top and bottom, but with gaps in the middle – allows sufficient ventilation for the appliances.
Tandem Studio, Germany
This bespoke corner cupboard elegantly conceals the washing machine and tumble dryer. It also provides space up to the ceiling for towels and other bathroom items.
The oak slat construction – closed at the top and bottom, but with gaps in the middle – allows sufficient ventilation for the appliances.
14. Staircase cupboards
Mon Concept Habitation, France
These pull-out shelving units maximise the use of space under the staircase by allowing easy access to the full depth of the cupboard while maintaining a clear view of stored items.
Tell us…
Which of these storage ideas appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Mon Concept Habitation, France
These pull-out shelving units maximise the use of space under the staircase by allowing easy access to the full depth of the cupboard while maintaining a clear view of stored items.
Tell us…
Which of these storage ideas appeals to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
NATIVE Design Workshop, Australia
Storage that has an additional function is a double win, especially for a family with four children, as in this home. The window seat and storage combination is just one of several built-in solutions in this aptly named Peekaboo House.