If you feel like your home always looks messy or cluttered it can be very draining, especially nowadays when we are spending much more time in our homes than we normally would.

Here we look at four ways you can re-boost your storage solutions and give your home an instant lift.

• Declutter before you store

How is it possible that we seem to accumulate so many things over the years?! Most of the time you only realise just how much you have when it comes to moving to a new house and you have the task of packing and unpacking it all! But it’s worth twice or three times a year having a good ‘clear out’. Only then can you really plan the storage solutions you need – otherwise you’re just storing junk you don’t want/use for the sake of it. And remember ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, so just because you may not want the things doesn’t mean they’re useless. Reach out to local charities such as the amazing team at Stop and Help to see if anyone in need would like your things.

• Make your storage practical

Now you know exactly what you need to store, look for practicality as well as style in the storage units you choose. So floor to ceiling cupboards may seem like a Pinterest dream but in reality you may find most of the things you use every day too far out of reach. Instead consider what function your storage unit needs to take before choosing what to buy. The best design is the perfect blend between style and functionality – get one end of the balance wrong and you end up in disaster zone!

• Make storage beautiful

Just because you want to hide things away, doesn’t mean you need to only consider drawers or cupboards. In fact, making storage a part of your home interiors can be extremely attractive. Our go-to when it comes to storage is rattan baskets, especially the Olli Ella products available at Eco Souk ME. We have used their Strolley for books in a nursery, the Piki’s for storage toiletries in a bathroom and the Luggy as a way to store laundry.

• Be innovative with your storage

If you live in a small apartment or generally just don’t have much space for storage cupboards or stand-alone cabinets, then look for innovative, hidden ways to maximize your storage. This could be by getting some of the cupboard dividers from IKEA or by maximizing hanging space with the self-adhesive hooks on the back of your doors. Also look for areas where you can make your storage look built-in. Everyone would love a built-in cupboard or shelving unit, but these can be expensive. Instead buy one from the likes of Home Centre or Pan Emirates and have a carpenter add trimming round the edges to give it that built-in look.

If you need help maximizing your storage in your home or giving it that interior-designed look without breaking the bank, get in touch with us today!