By Andrew Jonathan Griffiths
Good storage is the bedrock of a beautiful and harmonious home. Give everything its place in a functional and pleasing way, and a clutter-free, calming space is at your fingertips.
At our design studio, A New Day, we consider storage from the outset of a project. It shouldn’t be left as an afterthought or an add-on but factored into the design of a space. This Grade II-listed Georgian home in east London has wonderful character with good proportions. Here I suggest some ways to enhance its storage potential.
Be led by the space
Rather than a large piece of storage furniture that dominates the reception room, look holistically across a house for the natural and convenient storage areas and design solutions to fit those spaces. It’s best to store things near to where you use them, rather than collating myriad different things in one place. In a property such as this that is blessed with period detailing, be sensitive to it and use areas such as alcoves to create something that feels balanced within its surroundings. Awkward spaces, high ceilings and staircases can all be transformed by clever joinery.
Consider form and function
Well-designed storage will transform a space and remove clutter and untidiness, but it can also be a way to add something beautiful to your home. A statement piece of storage furniture can set the tone for a space and become a focal point, elevated by artwork and lighting.
This Stitched Sideboard in ash and natural cord by Gareth Neal is a statement piece that can be made bespoke and fitted to match your requirements.
Make a plan
Certain areas in a house can easily become a dumping ground. To avoid this, make a plan for exactly what you need to be able to store — how many linear metres of hanging space do you need? How many pairs of boots or shoes need a home? Have you got hobbies that come with things to store? Get into the real detail and then map out solutions to give everything a home.
At the studio, we love these crates by HAY to organise smaller items.
Make the practical, beautiful
The practical elements of a home need to be considered alongside the aesthetic. Air conditioning units and televisions can provide opportunities to integrate storage. In this central London mews house, we designed a wall of shelving to conceal the air conditioning system and to provide enclosed storage at the same time.
Elevate the details
As a general rule, invest in quality when it comes to the areas of your home that you touch, such as handles, light switches and taps, as it’s these details where cutting corners feels particularly noticeable. When it comes to storage, you can elevate relatively simple cabinetry with beautiful handles and hardware.
Matilda Goad has a lovely range of hardware, with the option to add backplates to really lift the look.
Photography: MG&Co; Andrew Griffiths
