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A living room with a wall full of units, some in white and some are coloured, with a red sofa in front.

Thinking beyond the box

In this colourful home creativity runs wild! Combining bold design ideas with plenty of practical storage creates a neat, open plan home that's bursting with character.

A dining/living room with a white storage unit and a table with red and yellow chairs.
View from the kitchen, with a bed and bright orange units. There is also a red sofa.
A living room with a wall full of units, some in white and some are coloured, with a red sofa in front.
A room with a blue floor. Orange cupboards and stools stand alongside a red modular sofa.
A home office area with light wood fronted cupboards on the wall, a wooden desk and a blue filing cabinet.

Lost and found

A simple drawer divider allows cutlery and cooking utensils to be separated, making them easy to grab at mealtimes or when juggling hot pans.

No more negative space

When every inch counts, overhead cabinets provide valuable storage space in the kitchen. Mixing up cupboards in different heights creates tailored spaces for everything from small spice jars to large vases, whilst making them easy to spot. Add boxes and the odd space to the mix and suddenly most unexpected spot becomes a unique showcase for fresh blooms and recipe books.

As the kitchenware collection grows, a few extra decorative shelves and coloured cabinets creates extra space for favourite bowls.

Towels on top

Keep tea towels neat and near at hand. A clip-on basket above the worktop keeps towels within reach when washing up, rather than hanging around on hooks or buried away in drawers.

It's behind you!

Bedroom walls can be so much more than a headboard. Moving the bed further into the centre of the room frees up precious wall space that can be put to better use, such as a wardrobe. By placing clothes storage and hanging rails behind the bed rather than in front, they are out of sight while you slumber.

Plenty of room on to

Spare bedlinen or out-of-season clothes require minimal access. Stacked on top of wardrobes, they won't take up precious closet or cupboard space, yet they are still within easy reach. Transparent storage boxes such as the SAMLA box with lid, allow you to easily identify their contents from below.

Where did the remote control go

Coffee tables are ideal for creating a focal point, not to mention a cosy spot to gather and chat. They also have great storage potential. Tables with shelves underneath, like the BORGEBY Coffee table are ideal for storing everyday items like remote controls, books or magazines within easy reach.

A storage-filled feature wall

We've all seen good-looking feature walls made up of collages of framed artwork, but how about one that is also a hard-working source of storage space? With modular storage systems, planning a custom configuration to fit your space is easier than you might think and the visual impact is off the charts. To add depth and transform the blank, open spaces between cabinets, paint or wallpaper the exposed wall sections to create colourful backdrops.

Thinking outside (and inside) the box

Coloured cube cabinets frame ornaments and keepsakes, transforming them into eye-catching works of art. Stacks of colour coordinated boxes not only introduce more hues into the mix, they also keep knick-knacks together and tidy.

Frame architectural features such as windows with creative storage.

The eye is naturally drawn to colour and light, so why not turn windows into functional art installations? Small cabinets stacked around window frames can make even the plainest window pop. Add a row or two of cabinets in small spaces below window sills to create your own custom furniture-like sideboard for books or vinyls.

Go bold

With a coat of orange, these wall-hung wooden IVAR units are transformed into a bold centrepiece in the home. In keeping with the no space goes to waste mantra, the end of the units are a perfect spot for hanging favourite pictures or works of art.

Open up and the colour continues. Painting inside cupboards makes the interior just as appealing as outside. Handy containers keep smaller items, such as a sewing kits and crafting materials neat and organised. Welcome to the fabulous, rainy day hobby cupboard!

Everything in order

Time to call it a day with a quick tidy up of pens and papers before leaving the office. Filing drawers are perfect for stationery and office supplies. When wheeled snuggly under desks they don't take up much space and their slim drawers are perfect for organising. Dedicate the top drawer to the most used items such as pens and pencils or devices, then work your way down in terms of priority, with drawers for papers and other office essentials.

Focussed by nature

Create a work space that's calm, organised and free from distraction. Even a small dedicated corner can work wonders for productivity. Natural materials such as wood, cork and bamboo are not only good-looking, they also promote wellbeing and relieve stress.

Closed cupboards are great for hiding away work files and papers to maintain. a clutter-free zone. Filing boxes and magazine racks are ideal for keeping everything in order behind closed doors. Different coloured folders and boxes are great for creating a colour coded filing system that's easy to see.

Height adjustable shelves put every centimeter to good use. Flat boxes stack on top, tall files go below.

Creatively decluttered

Small space living – studio spaces in particular – can be a challenge. Where to stash clothes and everyday items out of sight, especially when you've got company? In this colourful studio, floor square metres may be limited and walls may be few and far between, but every centimetre has been put to use. The room is divided into zones and every wall has storage solutions based on the area's need. A large unit creates a division between the bedroom and living room – privacy and storage all in one! Boxes also come in handy for sorting cupboards and stacking, while some even double as statement pieces. The addition of vibrant colours just adds even more interest to this neat, creative studio space.

4 winning ways with storage

Hide. Decorative folders and boxes are great for hiding less-pretty things

Go vertical. Turn blank walls into workhorses with shelves and cabinets

Wheel it out! Moveable furniture is great for small spaces

Go bold. Don't be afraid to add colour!

Let's get sorted

Visit your local IKEA store for plenty of solutions for storing and organising with style.