Stylish Storage Solutions — Isaiah 61 Design

Could stylish storage solutions solve problems like these?

“Hey! Where are the keys?!”

“Has anyone seen my glasses?”

“You guys! Where is the remote for the TV?!”

The quest to organize your home in an intuitive, functional, and stylish way can feel like trying to get politicians to agree on the texture of water.

The thought of bringing order to the chaos of a cluttered home can feel overwhelming. But living in disorganization can be so frustrating. Even defeating.

On the other hand, you don’t want to feel like you and your loved ones need to live in a sterile showroom, either.

Where do you start? Do you need a storage unit? A professional organizer?

Or can you utilize your space in a way that cares for your loved ones and resonates with your heart?

I think you can!

Problem-solving is one of my strengths. Finding creative solutions to recurring challenges energizes me. While we may not be able to arrive at perfection, I have seen many families unlock potential in their homes that they did not know was there.

No one should have to live in cluttered frustration – or a sterile showroom. You can enjoy living in a beautiful home.

Let’s unpack five storage solutions that reflect your personality, maximize your home’s functionality, and enhance the beauty of your environment.

#1 - Build Up Your Storage Solutions

Go up, up, up – and away with storage issues! One of the most overlooked opportunities in a home is the walls. Well, the vertical space in the home.

Many people primarily consider square footage when creating storage. But that neglects a massive amount of space.

Murphy beds demonstrate how effective this can be. A bed that’s permanently on the floor eats up a significant amount of square footage.

In most bedrooms, this makes good sense.

But when you are desperate for square footage, a Murphy Bed occupies wall space, not floor space.

Loft Beds function similarly. My daughters’ room did not provide nearly enough space for how they wanted to use their rooms.

By installing Loft Beds, we could incorporate multiple storage solutions into the space the beds would have occupied.

With the proper application of shelves, hooks, and cabinets – you can increase the storage capacity of any space.

Display Storage on Shelves

Adding shelves to a space not only gives dimension but also opens up storage and provides an opportunity for you to display some personality.

Of course, a balance is necessary to ensure your shelves don’t look messy and make your space feel cluttered.

The right mix of closed and open storage options goes a long way to solving this issue. But we’ll get to that in just a bit!

Incorporate Cabinets to Create Stylish Storage

Like Murphy Beds, cabinets utilize the vertical space in a room to maximize your storage capacity.

If you’re into thrifting, you can often find old lockers. Of course, big box hardware stores and Ikea have excellent options for traditional cabinets that can work in most spaces.

Cabinets provide a closed storage option that adds style to your space, utilizes vertical space, and hides what won’t look right if displayed.

Sometimes, a well-placed cabinet can transform “dead space” in a hallway into a storage solution for linens, cleaning supplies, and more.

An armoire in a shared space is an excellent option. Armoires carry a classy, sophisticated feel. They typically have a mix of shelves and drawers, making them multifunctional.

Just close the armoire door, and you can hide the TV, stash the board games, and store the TV remote in its place so you can find it when it’s time to unwind.

Add Hooks for Unique Storage Solutions

Do you have hats that match the colors and style of a room?

How about jewelry? Cute bags?

Decorative hooks are available at Hobby Lobby. (Be sure to take advantage of their 50% off sales!) Thrift stores often have unique hooks that will add some functional flare to your space.

If you’re in a pinch, most hardware stores will carry traditional hooks. Another option can be repurposing vintage hardware to display your personality.

If you have musicians in your home, you can utilize hooks to store and display instruments on the walls.

But don’t only consider utilizing hooks for display. The inside of cabinet and closet doors provide even more vertical storage space.

That’s where you can stash the bags, hats, and robes that won’t look lovely on display.

#2 - Strike The Right Balance of Open and Closed Storage

Don’t look up! Start on the floor. Closed storage solutions like trunks and coffee tables allow you to compile necessary but messy things into a convenient, intuitive space.

Closed storage solutions tend to be best on the floor. They cover the clutter and make a room feel anchored.

But you need to be careful not to overdo it on the closed storage solutions. Too much, and the room will feel cavernous. Balance it out with open storage, and your space will come alive.

Display Your Playful Personality with Open Storage Solutions

Often, kids will make gifts for their parents in school. I know I’m going to date myself here, but I remember making an ashtray for my mom!

…didn’t matter that she didn’t smoke :-o)

Decorative bowls, artisan baskets, and artistic ceramics add vibrancy and personality to a space while also serving as an organizational tool.

For example, an old toolbox storage organizer can be repurposed as an office supply organizer for a desk.

Feel Out the Right Balance of Open and Closed Storage

Open and closed storage solutions each provide unique benefits. And downfalls.

Too much open storage and your space will feel messy. Too much closed storage and your space will feel cavernous.

The right mix of open and closed storage solutions will bring out your personality while allowing the space to feel grounded and clean.

Hitting these notes is more of an art than a science. You need to be in the space to experience how the environment feels.

This brings us to our next component of creating stylish storage solutions.

#3 - Work Color and Contrast into Storage Solutions

Ice cold water quenches best on a hot day. Steamy soup satisfies the most when it’s chilly outside. Contrast creates an enduring impression.

Just listen to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Or watch Hamilton.

Pacing. Contrast. Tension. Rising and falling dynamics bring life into a dormant world.

The same is true for the elements that compose the color pallet used for the storage solutions in your home.

Light colors, like Sherwin Williams Pure White, City Loft, Sea Salt, Faint Coral, or Repose Gray tend to feel open, fresh, and happy. Especially as the backdrop for vibrant accessories.

If this is the atmosphere you are looking for, keep in mind lighter spaces can be less forgiving when it comes to hardworking areas like workshops or craft rooms.

In these cases, consider a bit of saturation in your wall and cabinet finishes.

Deep colors, like Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray, Naval, Ripe Olive, or Cascades, will make a room feel anchored and sophisticated.

Maintaining a moody monochromatic theme will help keep a space from feeling too chaotic. It simplifies the overall atmosphere, which will ground the pieces stored and staged in the space.

Contrast is the key when you are looking for a more visually striking space. When an area is underwhelming, contrasting light and saturated colors provide instant impact.

Consider contrast, especially in relation to the focal wall. This wall sets the tone for the entire room. Inevitably your first impression will stay with you as you engage with the rest of the room.

You can contrast colors in your wall colors, cabinet and shelving finishes, and accessories.

Color. Dimension. Texture. Open and closed storage. Hold all of these in tension, and consider all of these elements, particularly how they tie into the focal wall.

#4 - Don’t Overlook How Lighting Impacts Storage Solutions

Lighting impacts every aspect of every space. Including storage solutions. A lamp on a nightstand, shelf, or coffee table may provide needed light. But it may also occupy valuable space.

One of the simpler steps you can take is, just like storage, to utilize the wall. Add wall lighting with sconces or swing arm wall lamps.

Often, these lights can run on a battery or be plugged into an outlet. This will limit your need to hire an electrician to install the lights.

Another more invasive option is to install canned lighting in the ceiling. Adding canned lighting makes excellent use of ceiling and soffit space.

The challenge is that installing canned lighting is usually more complex than a DIYer can handle. And depending on where you live, you may need to pull a permit for this addition.

Taking lights off the shelf and putting them on the wall opens up more storage space while adding the lighting needed for warmth and functionality.

#5 - Don’t Forget … Storage Solutions Like Accessories, too!

Bring a little pep to your storage solutions with the right accessorizing touch.

One of the challenges to making storage look and feel alive is that they tend to be very geometric. Functional. This is where plants can be your best friend.

House plants, whether alive or artificial, will break up the hard lines and geometry inherent with most storage solutions.

A little bit of living (or artificial) greenery will make your shelves, cabinets, and trunks feel vibrant.

Fabrics are also helpful. Pillows and textiles will soften any space that feels hard or cold. They also provide you with another opportunity to display some personality and play with contrasting colors.

Beyond plants and fabrics, an overlooked trick is to utilize strip lighting. Strip lights can be installed under most surfaces. This can immediately impact storage, making it feel more like a display than an old shelf.

Putting all Your Stylish Storage Solutions Together

In this client’s home, I was able to utilize all of these techniques.

Notice the closed storage on the floor. This allowed a bench to double as storage and maximize the space.

Moving up, you see hooks that hang some hats. Now these fun, playful hates don’t need to be sentenced to life in a closet!

Above the hats, you’ll find shelves that incorporate open storage with baskets and some greenery to break it all up.

And don’t miss the contrast! The dark, natural wood colors stand out in a sophisticated way because of the light-colored walls.

In interior design, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. As you can see, the same is true with stylish storage solutions.

Storage Solutions and the Isaiah 61 Design Touch

I understand how much of this could be overwhelming. At this point, your head may be spinning. You may feel like it would cost too much to transform your space in these ways.

You do need to be sensitive to your capacity. We’re all limited. The timing may not be right. That’s ok.

But you do not need to settle for a home that feels uncooperative. I’m here to help. Just reach out.

We can work together and take on an entire project. Or add some of the critical missing touches.

If you’re not sure if you even want to start, then you can follow my blogs, and I’ll keep giving away the best design advice I have.

Regardless of your decision today, I long for you to experience the fullness of life God intends for you.

When we look around this beautiful world, we see quickly that God didn’t only make the earth to be functional.

When He said, “Let there be light….” God breathed out beauty. Joy. Harmony. Delight.

Before demonstrating His uncontainable love for us, facing the cross that our sin deserves, He told His friends that He was going to prepare a place for them.

And you better believe the place He’s preparing – heaven – will be saturated with delights that will satisfy our every sense.

Don’t doubt how much God loves you and how good He wants to be toward you. Jesus rose from the dead to secure all of God’s precious promises – for you.

The gift of stylish storage solutions is one of the billions of blessings He wants to lavish on you so that you and your loved ones can thrive by enjoying Him.

A home that resonates with and reflects your heart is within your reach. I’d be honored to help you embrace it.