Make the most of your nooks and crannies…

September 5, 2015 Ceri Murray 2 Comments design ideas for small spaces, discounts and offers

At nest one of the key requests on almost all of our projects is ‘I need more storage’. Let’s face it, who doesn’t? We have often heard it said that you can get more cleaning and tidying done in the 30 minutes before visitors arrive than the rest of the week. It’s at times like this when smart storage becomes essential!

The problem can be finding attractive storage that fits the space and purpose. As a result, so many of our customers now opt for bespoke storage and we are very lucky to have a clever joiner who can create just what our customers are looking for. Cost-wise, you may be surprised to hear that this can work out a very reasonable alternative to off the shelf items which are never quite right.

Key areas for this type of storage are alcoves, eaves, under the stairs and bay windows. Also, wardrobes to fit awkward sized walls.

Alcoves

Built in alcove storage cannot be over rated. It replaces the need for ugly media units, can hide all manner of TV boxes, wires and sockets along with DVDs, games and consoles. It can be modern or traditional in style to suit any room. It acts as a side table for lamps and drinks and can also provide handy shelving for books, photos and those bits and pieces collected over the years that need a home.

Colour wise, they can be painted white to add contrast to the walls or the same colour as the walls to create a contemporary look. Wallpaper behind shelving can provide a quirky stylish look.

Alcove units from nest projects:

Build In Alcove, traditional style | Nest Interior Design — traditional style build-in alcove

Stand Alone Alcove Unit | Nest Interior Design — Free Standing Alcove Unit – to avoid the need to remove skirting boards

Build In Alcove, contemporary style | Nest Interior Design — contemporary style build-in alcove

Allow approx. £950 supply and fitting for each alcove.

Wardrobes

Built In Wardrobe | Nest Interior Design — Colour: Farrow & Ball Hardwick White

The advantage of having built in wardrobes is that they maximise use of the available space. By painting them in the same, or similar, colour to the walls they won’t visually overwhelm a room despite, in reality, often being the biggest item in the room.

Choosing recessed handles and a modern finish helps to keep a contemporary look. What’s more you get to design the internal layout.

If you don’t want to replace the wardrobes but would like to modernise them, the doors and handles can be replaced to bring your storage unit up to date. If you have a laminated surface make sure that a specialist primer is used to ensure the paint would adhere to the surface without chipping or scratching. See pictures below, colour – Farrow & Ball Cabbage White

Wardrobes from a nest project

Build In wardrobe freshened up with new paint and new fixtures — after freshening up with new paint & fixtures

Under Stairs storage

This is a great place to have some built in storage. Near to the front door so very handy for the quick disposal of shoes and sports equipment. We have even been asked in the past to design a built in dog house!

Again it can be finished with traditional panelled doors or in a more modern style to suit your house.

Here is a simple under stairs cupboard made for a customer, painted white to contrast with the wall colour. Colour: Farrow & Ball’s Calluna.

Under stairs cupboard with moving shelves

Finally, not one of ours, but what a great idea!

At nest interior design we offer a friendly and informal service from one room to a full-house project, our one hour initial consultation is free of charge. We would be delighted to offer M&D readers a 10% discount on design board services, please just quote M&D Summer when contacting us.

www.nestinteriordesign.co.uk
enquiries@nestinteriordesign.co.uk 0161 414 0032