Decorating
10 Times Built-in Storage Has Transformed an Open-plan Space
In addition to providing vital stash-away space, built-in storage can help to zone an open-plan area beautifully
Open-plan living continues to be hugely desirable, but creating zoned areas, each with their own clear function, is one of the challenges of life in a large, flowing space. This is where built-in storage can help. As well as providing essential room for all your kit and clobber, it can also be used to delineate it and mark out pockets of purpose amid a large footprint. Beautiful built-in storage looks great, too, offering space to display treasured pieces and helping to bring personality to open-plan living.
Make it minimal
This bedroom opens onto a bathroom, with a roll-top bath very much part of the sleep space and clearly visible from the bed.
Oak shelving on the wall provides somewhere to position candles, bath products and pretty finds, helping the bathroom blend in beautifully with the bedroom. These shelves also top-off built-in pipework. A similar oak shelf sits above the radiator beyond for a coordinated feel.
This bedroom opens onto a bathroom, with a roll-top bath very much part of the sleep space and clearly visible from the bed.
Oak shelving on the wall provides somewhere to position candles, bath products and pretty finds, helping the bathroom blend in beautifully with the bedroom. These shelves also top-off built-in pipework. A similar oak shelf sits above the radiator beyond for a coordinated feel.
Think outside the box
The industrial casters on this ingenious storage cube/home office mean that, technically, it’s not built-in. But it’s an amazing piece of bespoke storage all the same (and probably too heavy to be wheeled about frequently).
Containing shelves and storage on the outside, with a built-in desk inside, it’s a multi-functional design that works brilliantly in a large, open-plan home.
The industrial casters on this ingenious storage cube/home office mean that, technically, it’s not built-in. But it’s an amazing piece of bespoke storage all the same (and probably too heavy to be wheeled about frequently).
Containing shelves and storage on the outside, with a built-in desk inside, it’s a multi-functional design that works brilliantly in a large, open-plan home.
Connect levels
Storage can unite an open-plan space, but it can also pull two separate levels together. Here, steps up to a mezzanine above a large open-plan living, dining and cooking space are flanked with shelves and cupboards. They lead the eye up, helping to connect the mezzanine with the floor below and creating a sense of flow.
Storage can unite an open-plan space, but it can also pull two separate levels together. Here, steps up to a mezzanine above a large open-plan living, dining and cooking space are flanked with shelves and cupboards. They lead the eye up, helping to connect the mezzanine with the floor below and creating a sense of flow.
Choose matching shelves
Neat white shelves are inexpensive and always attractive. Use this same style of simple, open shelving to create a cohesive feel in an open-plan home. Here, white bookshelves in the dining space match the run of white shelves in the kitchen beyond, uniting the two spaces.
Neat white shelves are inexpensive and always attractive. Use this same style of simple, open shelving to create a cohesive feel in an open-plan home. Here, white bookshelves in the dining space match the run of white shelves in the kitchen beyond, uniting the two spaces.
Keep it compact
In a small studio apartment like this one, hard-working storage that can meet a host of needs is invaluable. Here, tall cupboard doors open to reveal a compact built-in desk, with space to stow the stool beneath, plus shelves and lighting.
In a small studio apartment like this one, hard-working storage that can meet a host of needs is invaluable. Here, tall cupboard doors open to reveal a compact built-in desk, with space to stow the stool beneath, plus shelves and lighting.
Devise multi-tasking storage
One end of this open-plan living area hosts a heap of functions. In addition to a desk, shelves and storage, a bed can be pulled down from the wall, too, for when guests stay over. When in use as a bedroom, a discreet sliding panel wall provides complete privacy.
One end of this open-plan living area hosts a heap of functions. In addition to a desk, shelves and storage, a bed can be pulled down from the wall, too, for when guests stay over. When in use as a bedroom, a discreet sliding panel wall provides complete privacy.
Go for a wraparound
Building shelves that elegantly flow through an open-plan area not only maxes available storage and provides ample display, it leads you through the space and gives it definition. What’s not to like?
Building shelves that elegantly flow through an open-plan area not only maxes available storage and provides ample display, it leads you through the space and gives it definition. What’s not to like?
Channel a quirky vibe
When an open-plan home has been treated to a brave and quirky look, don’t drag this down with straight-up-and-down cupboards. Channel that creative aesthetic and find storage that reflects it, too. Here, suitcases mounted onto the wall work as storage, shelf space and artworks in one.
Discover how best to light an open-plan room
When an open-plan home has been treated to a brave and quirky look, don’t drag this down with straight-up-and-down cupboards. Channel that creative aesthetic and find storage that reflects it, too. Here, suitcases mounted onto the wall work as storage, shelf space and artworks in one.
Discover how best to light an open-plan room
Rock a rail
Building in storage need not involve time, money and timber! It can be as simple and effective as just hanging a rail or two. This DIY wardrobe in a tiny 500 sq ft loft provides clothes storage and privacy, too, partially shielding the bedroom from the living and kitchen space beyond.
Be inspired by these 12 ways to love your small space and maximise every centimetre
TELL US…
What do you make of these storage ideas for open-plan spaces? Let us know in the Comments below.
Building in storage need not involve time, money and timber! It can be as simple and effective as just hanging a rail or two. This DIY wardrobe in a tiny 500 sq ft loft provides clothes storage and privacy, too, partially shielding the bedroom from the living and kitchen space beyond.
Be inspired by these 12 ways to love your small space and maximise every centimetre
TELL US…
What do you make of these storage ideas for open-plan spaces? Let us know in the Comments below.
This kitchen is cleverly integrated into an open-plan space, thanks to the well-designed storage. With its shelves above and drawer units below, it feels more like bookshelves with storage than a traditional run of kitchen cabinets.
The sink and oven are beautifully and subtly integrated, and the attractive displays on the shelves distract from these more functional elements.