4 Smart Storage Ideas for Your Loft

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4 Smart Storage Ideas for Your Loft

Staff Writer · Mar 2, 2010

There are several different storage ideas for your loft. Because you must use the entire open space for several different purposes, decorating a loft is a difficult task. When you include properly storing your belongings, the task becomes even more problematic. However, there are 4 effective and attractive storage ideas for your loft.

1. Condense

Unless you are particularly careful, most people own or have gathered a plethora of belongings that are no longer necessary. Sort through your belongings and donate or throw away items of which you have multiple or are unnecessary. Additionally, try to condense your items as much as possible.

This does not mean that you have to rid yourself of most of your belongings. Rather it is an encouragement to clean out your life and pare down to the absolute essentials. The loft lifestyle is one of modernity and sparseness, and your belongings and furniture should reflect this.

2. Think Upwards

A loft only possesses so much horizontal space, but often has unused vertical space. Do not forget the higher areas above doorways, cabinets and other open walls as potential storage spaces. These areas will be out of the way and yet still indoors and easily accessible. The openness of these areas may be perfect for shelves or cabinets, permitting you to hide your belongings from open view.

3. Remember the Invisible

One of the most available but most often overlooked places for storage are the spaces beneath your furniture. Now, storage companies make containers that will slide easily under your bed, sofa, or other furniture. These containers will easily hold towels, shoes or other items that may not fit anywhere else in your loft.

Additionally, do not settle for the current shelves in your closet or bathroom. Often, what is provided is only a single shelf regardless of whether there is space for more. You may be install or add prefabricated containers above the current ones to increase the number of items you can store.

4. Consider Double Use

Nowadays, furniture does not have a single use. Manufacturers place shelves beneath tables, and place mattresses on drawers. If you are in the market for new furniture for your loft, focus on furniture with one or multiple storage elements. For example, a chest makes a great coffee table but its interior will hold all types of bulky items.

If you are not able or are uninterested in purchasing new furniture, consider if it is possible to add storage elements to your current pieces. You can enhance a basic table by placing self-standing drawers beneath it or by installing shelves between its legs. The shelves or drawers will look as though part of the table, thereby providing more storage without seeming unnatural. Other good ideas are to place drawers at the very top of your cabinets or beneath the staircase, if any.

The key to adding storage to your loft is to consider those places where extra shelving or drawers will seem natural and out of the line of sight. The most important thing to remember when decorating your loft is to keep its open feel, as that is what most likely drew you to the place from the start. However, do not overlook the ability for shelves and drawers to add depth to your décor, you may be surprised at how a properly planned and installed storage systems can seem unique and part of your decorating.

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