Nashville Interiors knows that storage is design challenge, especially as we seek to simplify our lives and ‘rightsize’ our homes. Here are tips to optimize storage in every room in the house from some of our go-to Nashville area design pros. 

BATHROOM
“One of my favorite bathroom options is a pullout cabinet with an outlet in the back so you can plug in your curling iron or blow dryer. It comes with a metal round bin perfect to hold your hot hair care tools while they cool down.”
– Miccah DeFriez, MarKraft Cabinets

“We recommend placing linen cabinets or open shelving on the wall behind the toilet. If you have space in your  bathroom, a tall, narrow ‘linen tower’ can also be a huge help.”
– Sandra Sokol, Closets By Design

BEDROOM
“People want to close off the clutter of their clothes within a walk-in closet as much as possible. We recommend cabinets with 24-inch deep shelving that allow the clothes to hang. Some opt for doors to these shelves so that the clothes are completely hidden with the closet. Our cabinets can range from simple to elaborate, with some so nice you will want to sit in there to enjoy your morning coffee.”

– Brent Smith, Classic Custom Cabinets

“You can save tons of time in the mornings when you have a closet that is organized and fitted to your clothing needs throughout the seasons. Clients love our closet accessories, such as an ironing board you can just pull it out and tuck back in. Valet rods allow you to prepare an outfit the night before work or a big event. Slanted shoe shelves, hampers, and drawers divided for socks and undies are so simple and so helpful.”

– Sandra Sokol, Closets By Design

LIVING AREAS
“We recommend putting outlets inside cabinets and using small appliance or electronics drawers. Placing an attractive charging zone for your mobile devices at the immediate point of entry to the house can be done with a cabinet drawer that includes an outlet and Bluetooth capability. We also suggest tucking in a message cabinet that opens to a dry-erase board, bulleting board, hooks for keys, and slots for mail organization.”

– Miccah DeFriez, MarKraft Cabinets

“We will create ‘cubby’ areas, a place at the informal entrance to the house or ‘mud room’ where a family can drop everything from backpacks, purses, bags, gloves, computer bags, gym bags, and shoes. This keeps the rest of the house tidy and helps everyone efficiently find what they need when they head out the door the following day. We can also design the cubby area to allow for space to charge electronic devices.”

– Brent Smith, Classic Custom Cabinets

“We can improve the storage in any room in your home. In one den, we created a storage bench under a window with drawers and basket shelving that made unused space attractive and helpful. When you have limited space, we can help you use every square inch to cut clutter and stay organized.”

– Sandra Sokol, Closets By Design

KITCHEN
“I don’t think I have done a kitchen in the last three years without incorporating cabinet rollout trays. Also, we are trending away from overhead cabinets to using base cabinets to hold everything from refrigerated drawers to dish storage. My clients also like ‘toe-kick’ drawers that can hold the dog and cat dishes. When they are ready to eat, give the bottom drawer a slight kick so it opens, and when they are finished, you can tuck it all neatly away.”

– Miccah DeFriez, MarKraft Cabinets

“We have designed walk-in pantries and some of these have become wonderfully elaborate. One pantry had glass sliding doors with apothecary jars for rice and dried beans, The look evoked an old-time general store.”

– Brent Smith, Classic Custom Cabinets

“Pantries can include vertical tray storage for baking stones and cookie sheets so they are very easy to access. They can be outfitted with Lucite-front drawers, pull-out trays, wine storage, stemmed glass holders that you see in commercial bars, and various spice racks. Our product line offers adjustable shelving so your pantry can change with you as your storage needs change.”

– Sandra Sokol, Closets By Design

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