All homes were not created equal. Sometimes good storage simply does not come as standard. This can often result in home owners and tenants alike, struggling to stash away their belongings in long forgotten corners of the home, in a vain attempt to achieve even the pretence of an organised space. Out of sight out of mind, right? Wrong! That clutter will continue to accumulate and grow until it takes over your home and any precious remaining space you may have. But all is not lost. Follow these five simple steps that can be adapted to suit any home or family, and create the storage solutions you desperately need.

1. Claim back your cabinets.

Kitchens will simply have stuff. Lots and lots of it. The kitchen is the one area of the home where belongings seem to pop up out of the ether without a hint of where they originated from. So what do you do with all this stuff? Utilize your cabinets of course! Try a quick fix for your existing cabinet space and add a few wire racks to create multi level storage. This is an ideal way to create instant space without the huge price tag. Make use of this otherwise desolate area and use it to store plates, pots, pans, or any other objects needing a permanent home. This will double your existing kitchen storage in the blink of an eye, freeing up work surfaces, benches and maybe even floors!

*Useful tip:  For added functionality, attach racks or hooks to the inside of cabinet doors; ideal for hanging pan lids, towels, cooking utensils etc.

2. Shelves are the solution.

Shelving can be adapted to suit any room and is a great solution to many storage problems. Use up that unoccupied wall space and install some stylish shelves. Match the style and color to the theme of the decor to allow for a seamless finish. Use your shelves to store books, DVDs, ornaments etc. For extra functionality, add matching wicker baskets or other containers to hold any number of items that you may not necessarily want on display. There are a myriad of choices available in various sizes and shapes to suit any space or area in your home. So set up some shelving today for a very simple answer to your storage needs. 

*Added tip: Try mixing and matching shelving sizes and styles to create an entire statement wall. Not only will you have tonnes of storage, but an artistic space that's more masterpiece than mundane. Shelving doesn't have to be boring!

3. Keep kids under control.

If you have children, chances are that any and all storage you already have, is occupied with a mountain of plastic toys and other child related paraphernalia. There's no avoiding it, these little people take up the most room. Get organised and box up any items that your child may have grown out of. The attic is a great place to stow away those things that are not in use at the moment, but may be needed in future. Sort any remaining items, such as toys, into transparent storage boxes. This will allow quick and easy access while keeping the ever increasing amount of children's belongings in some semblance of organisation. 

*Added tip: More sanity related than storage but never the less, declutter your child's belongings a few times a year. Children accumulate the most random of possessions over time, many of which take up valuable storage space that could be put to better use. Have a yard sale or donate to charity. This is the best method to reduce that chaos and clutter that seems to crop up everywhere. Go on, your sanity will thank you for it.

4. Build your own solution with built in wardrobes.

For bedrooms that are slightly lacking in storage, invest in a built in wardrobe. This might seem a tad on the expensive side, but in reality built in wardrobes have become a more affordable solution in recent years, with companies offering a variety of finance packages and different options to suit most budgets. With a built in wardrobe you have the advantage of customising it to suit your needs. Most companies offer different component parts that can be incorporated into you individual design during manufacturing, and therefore design your own bespoke wardrobe for storage of specific items, shoes, jewellery, shelving etc. There are a wide range of styles and colors available, so you are sure to find a design that suits your taste and existing decor. With a built in wardrobe you will not only get an investment piece of furniture that pays for itself over and over again, but a stylish yet functional solution to your individual storage needs. So what are you waiting for? Choose a company that offers installation of built in wardrobes and book your consultation today.

*Added tip: Try creating the illusion of a more spacious room by choosing a wardrobe with floor length mirrors and sliding doors.

5. Banish the under bed wasteland.

The space under your bed can be used for so much more than a grave yard for unwanted shoes, clothes and dust. Invest in some wheeled crates or make your own from old wooden palettes. Use these to store bedding, clothing, towels or just about anything you can pack in. If you're feeling particularly creative, why not embellish the storage crates with ribbon or yarn to add a touch of style to suit your room? With very little time and effort, you will have added a chic, unique flare to your bedroom and transformed the unused space underneath your bed from forgotten to functional in a flash.

*Added tip: If you're willing to spend a little more, purchase a bed with built in storage drawers underneath. This will prove to be such an invaluable addition to your storage system that you'll be left wondering how you ever managed without.