How to Organize Storage at Home: Tips from an Architect

If you have just bought an apartment, or are about to purchase one, or are considering a renovation in your current home, this post is for you. Olesya Sitnikova from the studio Арх.Предмет tells how to optimally organize storage in every room.

Olesya Sitnikova, architect. Graduated from the architecture faculty of a construction university and completed a master's course at Milan University in the field of "Interior Design". In 2011, she founded the interior design studio "Арх.ПРЕДМЕТ".

1. In the Corridor or Foyer

In the initial stages of planning, it's essential to thoughtfully design and distribute storage zones. How do you arrange ski equipment for all family members, bicycles, suitcases, thirty women's bags and as many shoes while not cluttering the space? This is a challenging puzzle!

If the house area doesn't allow for a spacious wardrobe room next to every bedroom, we try to optimize storage zones in corridors and distribution halls. For example, by designing through-the-door wardrobes from the bedroom to the bathroom.

2. On the Kitchen

A small storage room near the kitchen block where you can store household electronics, large dishes, and products with a long shelf life solves most issues. I recommend installing an open storage system in such spaces — shelves will hide the door of the storage room.

A good solution is to increase the depth of the work surface. In this case, the backsplash can be equipped with a sliding wall that goes down on a lift, and in the resulting area you can hide small and frequently used items like knives, spices, and a kettle.

3. In the Bathroom

During planning, we try to avoid freestanding shelves. Storage in the bathroom can be solved using horizontal surfaces in construction and built-in cabinets.

4. In the Foyer

The traditional and universal approach is to use wardrobes or walk-in closets, spacious and convenient for daily use. Functional items like shoe racks can also be useful in the foyer — for example, a shoe rack combined with a footstool or console table.

Read also:

• Pros and Cons: Open Storage System
• Storage Solutions for Small Spaces: 40 Ideas from Designers
• Project of the Week: Apartment with Unusual Built-in Solutions

Cover image: Design project by Арх.Предмет.