Storage should form part of your floor plan from the beginning.
Adding cupboards wherever space remains can leave you with storage that is difficult to reach or too far from where you need it.
Custom home storage design starts with a simple question: what do you own, and where do you use it?
For your Brisbane build, work through each part of the home before finalising the plans.
Make a Storage List First
Start with the items that need a permanent place.
Include:
- Clothes and shoes
- Linen and towels
- Cleaning equipment
- Kitchen appliances
- School bags
- Sports equipment
- Luggage
- Tools
- Seasonal decorations
- Outdoor furniture cushions
Measure bulky items such as your vacuum cleaner, suitcases and storage tubs.
A cupboard can look generous on a drawing but still be unsuitable for the things you want to put inside it.
Give the Entry a Clear Purpose
Think about what you carry through the door each day.
Keys, bags, shoes and parcels need somewhere to go.
Depending on your layout, consider:
- A cupboard near the garage entry
- Shoe storage beside a seat
- Hooks for bags and hats
- A drawer for keys and small items
- A charging space with suitable power access
Position these features around the entrance your family actually uses.
If everyone enters through the garage, storage beside the front door may do little to solve everyday clutter.
Plan the Kitchen Around What You Keep
Before deciding how many kitchen cupboards you need, look at their contents.
Separate everyday items from occasional items.
For example:
- Keep glasses near the area where you prepare drinks.
- Place cooking utensils near the cooktop.
- Store heavy appliances where you can lift them comfortably.
- Give serving platters shelves that suit their size.
- Allow space for the bins you intend to use.
A walk-in pantry is one option. Drawers and full-height cupboards may suit another household better.
Compare access, usable shelf space and the floor area each option requires.
Make the Laundry Work Beyond Washing
The laundry often needs to hold more than a washing machine.
You may also need space for:
- Laundry baskets
- Detergent
- An ironing board
- A broom and mop
- A vacuum cleaner
- Cleaning cloths
- Clothes awaiting repairs or ironing
Allow room to sort, fold and hang clothes.
If the laundry also provides access to the backyard, check that open appliance doors and baskets will not block the walkway.
Plan cleaning product storage around the needs of your household, including children.
Check What Fits Inside Each Wardrobe
A large wardrobe does not automatically provide useful storage.
Think about the balance between:
- Long hanging space
- Short hanging space
- Shelves
- Drawers
- Shoes
- Bags and accessories
A wardrobe for someone who wears long dresses needs a different arrangement from one mainly used for shirts and folded clothes.
Check how doors and drawers will open around the bed.
In a walk-in wardrobe, allow space to stand, reach shelves and use drawers without crowding the passage.
Keep the Garage Usable
Draw the garage with your vehicles in it.
Then add the storage.
Consider:
- Shelving depth
- Workbench space
- Bicycle storage
- Garden equipment
- Bin access
- Vehicle door clearance
A wall of deep cupboards might fit within the garage dimensions but make it awkward to get out of the car.
Keep frequently used equipment accessible without needing to move a vehicle each time.
Use Spare Spaces Carefully
Under-stair storage and built-in seating can provide extra capacity.
Decide what each space will hold before designing the joinery.
A deep cupboard beneath the stairs might suit luggage. Pull-out sections may provide easier access for smaller items.
Window-seat storage may suit blankets or occasional items, provided you can open it without moving too much furniture.
The aim is useful access, rather than filling every available gap.
Bring Storage Into the First Design Meeting
Include your storage list in your design brief.
This allows room layouts, cabinetry and circulation to develop together.
Jensen Constructions can discuss storage priorities as part of your Brisbane custom home project.
Contact our team to talk about a home designed around the things you use every day.
