While some people choose to downsize when their kids have flown the nest, others decide to buy a smaller property so they’re left without a mortgage. There are many reasons why a smaller house is preferred, but if you’re moving from a large home to somewhere a little cosier you may be wondering what to do with all your belongings. Thankfully there are many storage solutions that’ll make your life a little easier, so here are ten of the best:
- Self-storage units
If you simply can’t fit all your furniture, clothes, gym equipment, prized possessions or electrical gadgets into your new pad, it might be worth hiring a storage unit. With an array of spacious, well-priced facilities available it’s incredibly easy to get self-storage in Bournemouth and other parts of the country, so why not look into this option? - Rent an empty garage
Similarly, you could look for empty garages that are available to rent, or ask a friend if you could use their garage or attic space for a while until you’ve sorted your property out.
A little extra room can be extremely beneficial, especially if you have to move quickly, so it’s worth sussing out these options. - Consider built-ins
If your new home is a little on the small side, furniture such as beds and sofas with built-in draws could be ideal. Not only do they provide much-needed room to store bulky items like bed covers and shoes but they’ll ensure everything stays neat and tidy. - Opt for vertical furniture
Vertical furniture that takes up minimal floor space is perfect for a smaller home. Tall, narrow bookshelves and display cabinets, for instance, can be pushed right against the wall and will keep all your items safe and sound without taking up too much room. - Stackable boxes
Whether you’ve got hundreds of toy cars that need to be contained or office stationary that needs to be stashed away, opt for stackable boxes. While offering plenty of storage space, these can also tower on top of one another meaning they won’t get in the way. - Use dead space
Believe it or not, you’ve probably got far more storage room in your new home than you first thought – the trick is to use ‘dead space’ areas differently than you might have done in a larger property. The wall above the bathtub, for instance, often goes unused but it’s actually a great place to pop a cabinet or some shelves. - Opt for shelves
And while we’re on the subject of shelves, these can be placed in almost any room and are the perfect way to display important items. - Don’t waste storage space under stairs
If you’ve got a staircase, the space underneath can be transformed into a quirky and useful storage area with careful planning. Slide-out coat racks and shoe bins, for instance, are ideal or you might decide to build in a display cabinet or a quirky wine bottle holder. The options really are endless – you just have to get a little creative. - Desks with lids
With many people working from home these days, desks with lids are ideal as they provide a bit of extra room to keep important stationary, files, notes and so on. Swivel chairs with under seat storage also work well and will save too much mess from being on display. - High-rise beds with storage
High-rise beds with desks, chairs, draws and other storage facilities underneath are perfect for kids’ bedrooms, especially when the room they are sleeping in is a bit snug. There are many ways to make a small bedroom look great but by raising the bed off the ground you can really use what space there is to the max.
The benefits of moving to a smaller home can be great and with the above ten storage solutions you should still be able to keep your property in order.