silverware and spice drawers

DESIGN NOTES

STORAGE WITH A PURPOSE

There is a lot that goes into building a home. Months are spent planning layouts, rooms, and materials, but often, there is one area that is overlooked: storage. Lack of storage is usually discovered after the move-in when things pile up, or areas become cluttered with items that can’t find a home. Sufficient storage yields multiple benefits, including better room flow, increased productivity, and resale value of the house. Adding customized storage can take it to a whole new level. Let’s discuss the benefits of having storage with a purpose and some tips on how to do it.

Storage Increases Productivity

One of the most significant losses of a homeowner’s time is looking for things they need but can’t find. When designated spaces are created, you will save time because they will be accessible when you need them, unless, of course, someone forgets to put them back. Adding storage space for certain items means you will spend less time searching for items and more time accomplishing the tasks you need. Read more about how important storage is in the home.

closet with counter decor

Storage Increases Home Value

Little storage in a home affects its value. Here are some areas in the house that benefit significantly from additional storage and can give you a competitive edge if you choose to sell.

  • Closets: Linen, bedroom, and hallway are all key areas in the home that can be turned into maximized storage areas. Shelving is one great way to utilize a closet since it allows for boxes and unique items to be stored easily and safely. Be sure to include these areas when designing your home.
  • Garage: This area is more than just a place to park cars and store lawn care equipment. By adding a heavy-duty pegboard to the wall and adding a few hooks, it can be used to hang tools such as rakes and shovels, not to mention garden hoses and other random items that get tossed in the garage. Cabinets along a wall also provide an excellent option for storing items that are not well-suited for the inside, like all the kids’ sports gear and your husband’s hunting equipment.
  • Laundry: The laundry room has evolved into more than just a place where clothes are cleaned and dried. It is now where pet food and toys are kept, cleaning supplies are stored, and rarely used larger items such as crock pots can be tucked away, but still in easy reach. Talk with your designer, who can help you make the most of this space.
  • Mudroom: Considered the transition point between the inside and outside of the home, this area has excellent potential. As a place where coats, backpacks, and briefcases can be neatly stored away, it makes for an easy morning routine. There are several other great ways to maximize its use, such as adding chargers for electronic devices and cubbies for shoes. This is considered a great addition to potential homebuyers.
  • Kitchen: Since this is one of the most used areas in the home, it comes as no surprise that buyers are looking for a kitchen with plenty of storage for dishes, utensils, food items, and even linens. A designer can help you determine the best way to maximize the space in this area of the home.

By building with sufficient storage in mind, you will have a valuable home that gives you an advantage when selling.

mudroom with hanging storage

Storage Increases Function

Good storage can make a big difference in the home, no matter the size. A large home can become dysfunctional if things are scattered throughout the home, while a small home can become frustrating when you trip over things because of clutter. Storage enables a home to run at its very best, meaning less stress for you. Look around each area and think about its primary purpose, then create storage that helps perform that task better. A kitchen, for example, is meant to prepare food and store the items needed to make those delicious meals. Have designated areas for utensils, dishes, and even the trash can. This eliminates the need to move from one place to the next to get all the needed pieces. Custom storage allows you to maximize the square footage of your home and make it easy to have a place for everything. From a mudroom to custom cabinets with cooking dividers, look at this client’s project that made keeping everything in its place easy.

blue kitchen island with dishware in drawers

Storage Design Tips

While storage is a good thing, it does need to be planned out. Poorly planned storage is almost as bad as having none to begin with. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating storage areas in your home.

  • Look for the unused areas: There is often more room in your house than you realize, including under the stairs and the attic. These places hold great potential for storage.
  • Open storage looks great: Not all storage needs to be hidden. Built-ins provide a beautiful place to store items such as books, board games, and decorative boxes, but keep in mind that because they are visible, they should be easy to keep looking tidy when guests come for a visit.
  • Kid-friendly: We all understand that clean is not an easy word for kids to comprehend, but by making storage within easy reach for them, they can do it more easily. Providing a more straightforward way for them to pull out and put away their items can help them keep a room cleaner and might mean they don’t have to call on you as often.
  • Do your homework: Know what will need to go where and how often it will be used. Trash cans are a great example; they are used multiple times a day, meaning they should be readily available. Cleaning supplies are another example. Since it may be needed at a moment’s notice, it is best to keep it in an area that can be reached quickly.

Planning is key to storage, and a good designer can help you optimize your storage space. Be sure to bring a list of items that need to be stored or your ideas to your design meeting.

cleaning supply storage cabinet

Storage With A Purpose

Our experienced team has helped numerous clients achieve a home that was exactly what they needed by listening to their needs and designing a space around those unique needs. Our custom cabinets not only provide storage with a purpose but with class. Each piece is created to reflect the style and personality of the homeowner. How can we help you get more out of your space? Schedule a design meeting today.

/onSeptember 7, 2020/November 9, 2025/inDesign Notes

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