Cheap space and storage solutions

However big a house you live in, it is always a good idea to optimise the space available. In smaller houses, extra rooms can be created by converting the loft space to make an office, bedroom or children’s playroom.
With the relatively easy-to-use material available in DIY stores, larger rooms can be partitioned off to make room for en-suite bathrooms or built-in wardrobes.
The space underneath the stairs is often not used to its full advantage. Building shelves there with some soft lighting is a great way to show off collections or store books, but, if the space is big enough, why not build a cosy office area or retreat by simply putting in a built-in storage bench with soft cushions on top, a perfect place for having a cup of tea and a read?
Shelves in any part of the house can be the answer to many storage problems. In old houses, there is a lot of lost space because of the high ceilings. Put this to good use by running shelves around the top of the room and over doors: these are great spaces for books or ornaments.
The space under the staircase steps themselves is more often than not wasted: turn open wooden staircases into a talking-point by putting books under each step, or make drawers in hollow wooden steps and immediately gain loads of extra space.
In the living area, storage space can be added by using old chests as coffee tables. If you can get your hands on a solid old wine or champagne box, simply add a couple of hinges to the lid, four feet, pad and upholster the top, making for a original and useful foot stool.
In the kitchen, suspended pan racks are a great way of freeing up worktops and cupboards; make an effective but cheap one by getting hold of a small old door, cut out the middle, paint, fit heavy-gauge wire mesh to the middle space and suspend from the ceiling with metal chains.
Again, recycle wooden wine boxes by lining them with fabric or wallpaper, wax, varnish or paint the outsides, on the back fit sturdy picture frame hooks and you have cheap but chic hanging shelves.
If you have not the time or inclination to make things yourself, DIY shops stock extensive modular kits for you to organise different spaces with only minimum knowledge and tools.
Modular units exist in various shapes and sizes that can be mixed and matched and adapted to any room. Organise cupboard space with the many standalone units that exist for hanging clothes and drawers and finish off with sliding doors rather than hinged ones so that they can fit in even the tightest of corners.