5 Helpful Storage Ideas To Inspire Your Spring Clean

1. Use vertical storage to maximise space

We’ll let you in on a life hack: a good bookshelf is perhaps the easiest way to instantly add character to a room. When styled well, they offer a window into a person’s inner world, showcasing everything from their favourite books to sentimental trinkets.

Not only that, but vertical shelving units are a really effective form of storage. By taking advantage of unused wall space from floor to ceiling, you can help keep the floor clear from clutter.

Plus, the open shelves will encourage you to keep it looking neat — no option for ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type thinking!

Take a look at some of our favourite shelving units from our Design Directory here.

2. Invest in multi-purpose joinery

Storage is certainly a challenge in smaller homes. But having featured many great apartments over the years, we know the power of investing in some clever multi-purpose joinery.

This might look like creating a custom storage unit that doubles as a bench seat (a smart idea from this architect’s 1960s North Melbourne apartment reno), buying a bed with storage below, or using shelves that also serve as dividing walls to separate open plan spaces.

3. Add flair with floating and open shelves

Similar to a vertical storage unit, installing floating shelves is both functional and fun to style. They allow you to make use of any compact empty space, such as above your TV, or any little nook between two walls.

Another good spot for some open shelves is beside the range hood in the kitchen. It gives you a designated spot for some of your favourite ceramics, frequently used glassware, and cookbooks that might have been previously jammed into draws — freeing up much-needed space for the essentials!

4. Organise your closed storage units

You can have all the open shelves in the world, but let’s be real. You still need some closed storage units like sideboards and cupboards to keep the more unsightly parts of life hidden from view.

The key is just to keep them as organised as possible! A big part of spring cleaning is getting rid of old junk hiding in those neglected cupboards. Once you’ve done that, it’s worth going the extra mile to get some dividers, trays or containers to create compartments by category.

And they don’t have to be boring either. Find something with fluted glass doors like this, or a second-hand sideboard that ties in with your furniture.

5. Add some new baskets and boxes

One of the tricks to keeping a space clean is simply making it easy to put things away. That’s why adding baskets and boxes is great for minimising clutter.

Baskets work well in kids’ rooms for quick and easy toy storage, while cute tubs and small crates can also store craft materials and pencils neatly in open shelves. Meanwhile, a woven basket in the bathroom, living room or laundry also allows you to keep functional toiletries or throw blankets within reach, while still storing them out of view.