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Apr 29 2020

Kitchen Storage Ideas

When comes the time to plan your kitchen, it’s important to consider the best way of keeping it highly functional. Different accessories have been invented to make life easier in your kitchen! We will talk about the various storage accessories for kitchen cabinets: systems for your food pantry, narrow storage systems and upper and lower corner cabinet solutions.

Kitchen Storage Ideas

The food pantry

Kitchen Storage Ideas - The Food Pantry

There are a few different types of pantry organization systems. This first one is equipped with a standard hinged door and retractable drawers like these gorgeous oak wood ones by Fiorio. They can be independently pulled out for 100% access all the way to the back of the shelves.

There are also pantries with a door that is fixed to all of the shelves as a single unit. You pull out the fixed door and all of the shelves pull out at the same time.  In both cases, you have a choice for the number of shelves, as well as their height and width.

Narrow retractable shelves

Narrow sliding shelves for upper or lower cabinets can also be attached to the door or to the ‘filler’ (the piece that fills a narrow empty space). The retractable shelves are attached to the front panel and are pulled out on an extended sliding support for 100% access to everything in the back. These storage systems can be adapted with baskets for holding utensils, spices, oils, trays and more.

Kitchen Storage Ideas - Narrow retractable shelves

Upper corner cabinets

kitchen storage ideas - upper corner cabinets

I really love the idea of a corner tower positioned at a 45 degree angle like this. This type of configuration provides a larger surface area for storage as well as a really wide opening for easy access all the way to the back. You can also integrate drawers as well as an oven and/or microwave.

The piano-hinged door

As you can see, with this door, either standard fixed shelves or a rotating shelving system can be installed. Having the piano hinge door allows more room for the legs when standing and preparing meals. The wedge cut out of the shelves is also important because it allows the door to close within the 90 degree corner angle.

kitchen storage ideas - the piano-hinged door

Power glide systems

Power glide systems

Corner cabinets are often the least organized cabinets in a kitchen but now there are a multitude of solutions, each more functional than the last, such as the ‘Magic Corner’ system by Fiorio. This system works with or without a hinged door and allows the entire storage unit to independently slide out for 100% access to everything. There is also a version that is fixed to the door and pulls out automatically like this one.

Here, once again,  is an example of an unhinged door equipped with attached wooden shelves. The shelves are fixed to the door which can be partially or fully pulled out for easy access to everything without having to contort yourself. The wooden touch adds undeniable charm! This gorgeous unit solves all the problems and looks good too!

kitchen storage ideas

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Storage, walk-ins, shelves

May 12 2019

How to design a functional closet or walk-in

A well-designed closet or walk-in is crucial to eliminating clutter and maintaining organization in the bedroom. Good planning and observation skills will help you maximize every square inch of available space.

Modular storage, adjustable storage, shelves, drawers, rods, hanging storage, hooks: there is a whole range of storage solutions to optimize closet use. Here are a few ideas to help you make the choices that will best meet your needs.

Measure the available space

Measure and make a note of the size of each closet in the house: width, height, depth and the space taken up by shelves and doors. These measurements will help you decide how you can best make use of each closet.

Calculate the space needed

To determine the space you need, sort items into categories. Then, next to each item make a note of its approximate size; this will give you a fair idea of the space required. Remember to allow for 5 cm between pieces of clothing; lack of space and ventilation can lead to stuffy smells and unwanted creases.

The best space saving trick I use is: Double up your closet rods, one above the other, to double your hanging storage space for short clothes such as shirts and blouses;

If you don’t like how your storage space is organized, you probably won’t use it properly (i.e. put things away). There are different ways to store an item (hanger, basket, shelf), and your choices should reflect your personal preferences. Of course, take into account the item’s size, closet doors, etc.

Modular Systems

Durable, high-quality storage solutions such as modular systems are recommended if your needs, storage habits and style of clothes to be stored are fairly stable. You can have this custom designed and built. Prefabricated systems are also available in simple and easy-to-build solutions. You can maximize your available space and adapt the closet to accommodate the items you want to put there.

With this type of storage, you usually start with base units, the standard and corner units, which you can superimpose. To these base units and closet rods you can add drawers of varying sizes, stationary or sliding shelves, cubic organizers, doors and different racks for shoes, pants, jewellery and belts, etc.

Adjustable Shelves

Adjustable shelves provide maximum versatility. Because their configuration and design makes them easy to adapt to a given space, adjustable shelving systems represent a versatile solution that is ideal for rooms where needs are likely to evolve over time. Adjustable shelves are good value, easy to put up, very adaptable and require very few tools and building knowledge to install.

To conclude…

The modern closet has come of age. With the range of styles and storage solutions available, closets have become prominent features of a well-designed home. Take note: no more excuses for neglecting your closets!

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Get Organized

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Storage, walk-ins, shelves

Feb 13 2019

Shelves and storage ideas for the home and office

Most of our rooms require clever strategies to organize clothing, books, files, important documents, kitchen items and electronic components. The problem arises when every surface becomes cluttered and we begin to feel overwhelmed!

We will have a look at some great shelving available in a variety of styles and for every budget. We will also have a quick glance at the major shelf categories so you can identify which type of shelf will best meet your needs. You will then be inspired with shelf ideas for every room in the house as well as the office. Shelves can be purchased off the shelf, ordered online or custom made, like these ones. These rustic industrial shelves were custom designed and built out of recycled barn wood and welded steel. They were then ceiling mounted.

Shelves and storage ideas for the home and office

Industrial shelving available
at Versa Style Design

Shelves are split up into 6 major categories

  1. Free standing shelves (without a back panel)
  2. Open shelves (with no door)
  3. Closed shelves (hide-away storage)
  4. Wall-mounted cubes and modules
  5. Sliding recessed shelves
  6. Custom built-in shelves

Free standing shelves

Free standing shelves

Without any back panels, open free standing shelves can also play the role of room divider.Light passing through the shelves into the other zone gives a much lighter feel than a solid division. The trick here is to avoid stacking and filling every shelf, maintaining a look that remains light, airy, paired back and roomy!  

Open shelves

Open shelves can look great, but they can also be a problem. They must not be cluttered and disorganized. Here is a great looking custom built book-case that is fully open. Clients are always surprised when I suggest optimizing the wall space around a door. I believe it enhances the room architecturally and it adds valuable storage. Keep a little bit of empty space on the shelves to allow the items to breathe and remain un-cluttered.

Open shelves

Closed shelves

Closed shelves

Closed shelves are perfect for quick and easy clean ups in kids’ rooms and play areas. Control clutter and keep them organized with all this hide-away storage. Make sure they can reach the shelves so they can learn to keep their play zone, school books and clothes organized as they grow older. Custom shelving is a great way of optimizing small and compact spaces. Notice the steps are also pull-out drawers.

Wall mounted cubes and shelves

Create a zone exactly as you like in the shape and configuration you require. Modular systems like these ones were designed to adapt to your needs and are available custom-built or off the shelf in a variety of finishes and colours. Even within a small zone, you can quickly and simply create your own shelving. Wall modules help you save precious space and can combine open and closed storage, depending on your needs.

Wall mounted cubes and shelves

Sliding recessed shelves

Sliding recessed shelves

Recessed shelves are very high in demand for kitchens and bathrooms for clutter control. Hide away your cosmetics and cleaning products even if you have a compact bathroom. This custom recessed shelving was added at the end of the bath. You can also have recessed shelving made in the kitchen for your food, pots, spices and small cooking appliances.

Custom built-in shelves

These shelves are ‘built into’ the wall in between the vertical wall studs. You can also have built-in shelves surrounding your fireplace, near your bed for books and a lamp, as well as in the hallway for added storage.
Built-ins add instant style and elegance to a space. These are open niches for easy access, but many built-ins have nice doors with added moulding and chic handles.

Custom built-in shelves

Here are some more ideas to inspire you; shelves that work hard and look great in a variety of materials and finishes.

Office storage modules and shelves

Office storage modules and shelves

When assisting clients with their office installations I often recommend wall mounted storage modules. It seems we are often lacking in floor space so getting things off the floor increases traffic flow and productivity. Evaluate what can be stored behind closed doors or drawers and what should be exposed on open shelving allowing for frequent and easy access.

Industrial style recycled wood shelves

Shelves for keeping the front entrance organized are priceless. These custom built recycled wood industrial style shelves (available at Versa Style design) were the perfect choice for a casual corner. Recycled and barn wood shelves can be ordered and built for every room in the home or office. They can also be wall-mounted with industrial pipes like these.

Industrial style recycled wood shelves

Open shelves for a teen’s room

Open shelves for a teen’s room

We clearly see in this 3D rendering how shelving can be totally unique and personalized without being excessively complicated to build. Add a bit of strategically placed paint and you’ve got a great zone sure to impress every young spirited person around! Functionality and coolness combined!

The garage and workshop

In these zones, typically the priority is function over beauty. In this work and hobby zone we see a great combination of opened and closed shelving, all highly accessible. The units are purchased and placed strategically to fill specific functions. Notice how the open shelving in the centre doubles as a handy work surface, and how by placing a higher unit on each side you create a natural working alcove and a wall for hanging tools.

To conclude

I am leaving you with a purely inspirational photo to demonstrate how when we present a great idea to a half-decent handy-man we can create shelving that is truly unique, functional and great looking without being necessarily expensive.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Get more ideas on shelves, storage ideas and tips for staying organized here:

Get Organized

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Storage, walk-ins, shelves · Tagged: bookcase, built-in shelving, interior design, shelving, shelving design, storage design

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