Making the most of your storage spaces

One of the primary reasons for homeowners to move is a lack of space - and especially storage space - as their incomes and families grow and they acquire more possessions.

However, if they like their existing home and would like to avoid the stress and expense of moving, they should first explore ways to make the absolute most of their existing storage spaces, including bathroom and kitchen cabinets, linen and clothes cupboards, drawers and shelves.

They may find that they can actually live quite comfortably where they are, but if they do decide to sell, they will at least have made their home more attractive to potential buyers, who will no doubt also be looking for good storage options.

Some ideas for winning your own "storage wars" include:

*Utilizing vertical space by installing shelves or cabinets that reach right up to the ceiling, especially in kitchens and walk-in closets.

*Investing in storage containers that can slide under your bed and provide extra space for items like seasonal clothing, shoes and bedding.

*Installing convenient hooks or pegs for hanging items like hats, bags, kitchen utensils and cleaning equipment to keep surfaces clear and make these items easily accessible.

*Using drawer dividers to organise and maximise space in your kitchen, office or clothing drawers and cupboards.

*Choosing furniture with built-in storage, such as ottomans with hidden compartments, coffee tables with shelves, or bedside cabinets.

*Getting into the habit of decluttering and donating or selling items you no longer need or use to free up space.

*Repurposing any unused spaces into functional storage areas by adding custom-built shelves or cabinets.

*Using hanging organisers on the back of doors for items like shoes, accessories, makeup or cleaning supplies.

*Rotating seasonal Items and keeping those not in use in accessible spaces, keeping only the current season's belongings within easy reach.