How to utilise every corner of your home.

Storage, storage, storage. Many of my clients are based in London, and one of their top priorities is always storage. Having a beautiful home is, of course, important, but if you have nowhere to hide those everyday items and bits and bobs that you have collected over the years, then your home ends up looking cluttered very quickly. Living in the city often means that we compromise on space already, especially if you buy a Victorian terraced house in London, as they all have the same layout. Therefore, sometimes the only option is to have bespoke joinery fitted. However, everything must have a right and a reason, having bought furniture is just as important - it is all about balance. Mix and match your bespoke with your beloved collected items and antiques. 

Maximising your homes space can be a challenge, and that is why we have an in-house team of joinery and furniture designers who are on hand to tackle those tiny and tricky spaces, making your home both functional and beautiful.

This striking bookshelf is in designer Emma Sims-Hilditch’s country home. Not only does it help live out my childhood fantasy of jumping on a sliding ladder to grab a book quickly, but it also works with the space beautifully. Making the mezzanine space not just a blank wall where paintings may be hung, and instead of installing a bookshelf, makes the open-plan room feel more homely and characterful. 

I am a collector of books, and contrary to the new generation of iPad and Kindle readers, I am a paper book person forever. Peoples book collections can be incredibly insightful and an expression of their personalities and interests. Your home should not be too planned out, but instead, it should contain a collection of things you love, and bookshelves are often the best places to put those collectables you have found over the years. From books to knick-knacks, you may have picked up at a market while holidaying.

Another lovely location for putting in a bookshelf is diving walls between rooms or framing your home office space, or sofa in your sitting room.

Let’s talk about under the stairs. This is not a new solution, and we have seen people use this space well for years, but it is often not the first thing thought about when redesigning one’s home. This image shows a small wine cellar under the stairs, and of course, this is such a luxury, but it does show that you can fit in your passions and things that are important to you with clever solutions, even when working in a smaller space. Alternatively, this space is perfect for a cupboard where you can store your winter coats and shoes, as often it is near the front door.

Building a bespoke fitted bench seating around the breakfast table in a kitchen is always a great way to maximise your space. Not only are you often able to fit more people around the table, but you are also able to have ample storage underneath that is easily accessible. You can design the seating to fit in with the period traditions within your home. Pictured above is a colourful kitchen bench I put in in a project I did in St John’s Wood. Be as experimental as you wish - I would, of course, always go for colour!

I also love a window seat, as not only is it the perfect reading spot, but it is also a place for guests to perch if you are having a drinks party, or a Sunday afternoon snooze.

Many of us have now begun working from home, and for many, space has been a great issue during the lockdown; with the kitchen table in the day used for home-schooling space, sometimes we need our own area to be productive. I love this De Rosee Sa workspace. Not only because you do not need a great deal of space these days, with many of us just working off a laptop, but also because it is hidden in a cupboard, and so when you finish the day you can separate work from your home - creating work-life boundaries.

Can you ever have too much bedroom storage? Although we have seen a surge in dressing rooms and walk-in wardrobes, not everyone can afford to add such storage solutions within their home, nor do they have space. Further, quite often the largest room in London properties is up in the eaves, and thus that is where the master bedroom tends to be, and needless to say, it is near impossible to find furniture that works with that slanted roof. Putting in bespoke cupboards is almost always the best option, whether you are after something simple that blends in with the space or a standout piece that may include period traditions that you see elsewhere in the house. Also, you can design the cupboards to perfectly suit your needs. For example, if you are a big shoe person, you can plan that into your space.

Finally, bunk beds - not only do kids absolutely love them, but they are also perfect when working with a smaller space, as kids need to run around the room and therefore not adding too much large furniture, and instead look into bespoke options, as it truly is the best way to preserve space for activities.  Plus, if you don't have two kids sharing the room, it is always easier to have an extra bed for sleepovers. Depending on space, you can add a lot of storage into the bed structure, especially if you live in a home with high ceilings. Providing storage for clothes, and of course, more importantly, toys. The bunk bed pictured above has even created a little nook and added shelves to put their bedtime stories.