Top 10 Hidden Storage Ideas

Ever notice how you look at a room in a magazine or a show home and want to recreate it – but no matter how hard you try it never quite looks the same? That’s because those pictures are done for the camera to accentuate space  – and are not how we all live.

They don’t have any real life “stuff” lying about, which can be thought of as visual clutter and is in every home in the country I’m sure!

A great way to decrease the look of this clutter in your home (after actually decluttering that is!) is to make smart buying decisions when it comes to the furniture and items you have around the home.

Multi-functional furniture is a great way of doing this, and having hidden storage in some of your most used peices can create a very calm feel to your home instantly – and its a quick win too because you get to keep everything you need to hand in the right place, but you don’t have to see it every time you walk into a room (which as we all know can make you feel really low).

Think about it, no more magazines lying around the living room, they are in there but hidden away – no more bulky bedding for occasional guests, it is in the sofa bed already! I could go on – but heres my top 10 list of favourite hidden storage solutions. Some of them are well known solutions, and some are a little more obscure.

Hope you enjoy looking through, and that it gives you some inspiration when you next come to buy something for around your home! I would also love to hear from you about any great ideas you have for storage in your home…

I like using a footstool as an alternative for a coffee table in the middle of the room.

This has so many functions – you can pull it towards the seating to use as a footstool when you are relaxing, you can use it as a coffee table in the middle of the room (adding a tray on top gives you a sturdy surface), and if it has built in storage too then thats just a bonus! (its also great if you have kids as there are no sharp corners to hurt themselves on!)

This is just such a gorgeous one I had to include it as the picture – its pricey but there are loads to choose from out there (a search for “storage footstool” in google will bring back loads!)

A great place to hide all those remotes (who has only one nowadays!) and magazines.

Note: There are also loads of coffee table options and I would always go for one with storage rather than without, as the coffee table tends to always be in the middle of the room, and if you can limit the look of clutter on that then the room will automatically feel tidier – just an idea!

If you have a bay window (or it can even work along one wall of a room if its big enough), you can maximise the space by having a window seat. Added seating, and hidden storage – what could be better!

Here are a couple of pictures of what I mean – and a local joiner/carpenter could make one to fit your space as well.

  

(pictures from www.woodworkinstallations.com)

Now – I have already written a post about the merits of storage beds, and I really can’t say enough about them. SO useful and SO much storage! Take a look at the post for my favourites.

I love items that have two purposes, and as such when I came across this one from Dwell I had to share!

Not only does it look great, but it also keeps all your hair products, makeup and/or jewellery to hand but out of the way – it simply rotates on the base so you can also use it as shelving on show if you want to as well!

Ingenious!

This is a lovely traditional bedside table (could also be used as a lamp table).

The beauty of it is that even though there are drawers that are obviously visible, there is also a hidden drawer right at the top of the table which can hide away things that you don’t want people to see, for example, jewellery when you are away – less easy for burglars to find.

Hidden storage isn’t just for hiding more of the visual clutter in your home, but is also really good for hiding your valuables so you feel safer.

(NB. This picture is linked to my own online store, but a quick search for La Roque Bedside table will bring back lots of other places in google to buy it if you prefer!)

Now, a sofa bed is a multi functional peice of furniture anyway, but this one goes one step further, and the storage that it has is an ideal place to keep all the bedding a guest would need ready to go at a moments notice.

Great for unexpected guests – and if its late when they come round you don’t have to wake anyone by rummaging around to look for blankets, pillows etc…..!

I particularly like this one as you can’t tell its anything other than a sofa when you look at it – so feels very sleek and streamlined.

NB – Ikea do a good storage bed as well that is a single and pulls out to become a kingsize – with drawers underneath, but this is more obvious storage.

This is a fantastic item, as it tackles a lot of peoples difficulties in finding something suitable for a home office (with enough storage for everything) but that can also be hidden away when the room is being used for a different reason (dining room is a common one!).

A lot of desks look like desks when not in use, and can make you feel like you are still working even when relaxing. This would look great as a sideboard in a dining room as well.

(Again, one from my shop – just so you know!)

Came across this one when looking for some more funky hidden storage out there!

This would work really well for magazines or remotes – easy to get to when needed but not visible when not! – the drawer closes shut when not needed and has hidden storage.

I specifically like this one as it looks very streamlined as an item of furniture as well – so feels quite calming to the eye!

Another great one for storage with security in mind.

This is a lovely looking clock that would sit well on a lot of peoples mantelpeices, but has the added benefit of having storage in the back.

I would use this for hiding credit cards, or even some spare cash in case of emergencies!

Its out of the way, but accessible when needed – and not many people would find what you have hidden there!

As with the window seat, Under stairs storage will help to utilise wasted space. I have seen this space be used as a storage room, as a downstairs toilet, and also as hidden storage panels which is my favourite!

Take a look at this picture for more ideas and again a joiner can help you to come up with the best solution for your specific space.

This shows panels that can be pushed to open, with plenty of storage behind. Great place for the hoover, cleaning products, coats and shoes.

(Picture courtesy of www.custombuiltcabinets.co.uk)

I was at the Northern Home Show at the Trafford Centre this weekend (Exibiting with the House Doctor Network - part of my business!) and saw the most amazing peice of furniture there.

I have added it into this post as, although its not necessarily storage, it does hide things away, and makes great use of space! Couldn’t resist adding it!

Its called the STUDY BED and basically you can pull it down to be a bed, or up to be a large desk – but the difference between this and other similar items on the market is that you don’t have to tidy away everything or unplug computers etc.. before you make the switch – as everything stays in place! Perfect for teenagers rooms where they need lots of working space but don’t want it to take over, or in a guest bedroom that doubles up as an office. Take a look and see what you think!

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