Recent project – smart storage solutions for a family with 4 kids

• Clients: couple with 2 sets of twins

• Property: double-storey home with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms

• Renovation objective: add storage, storage and more storage

Yes, this is a household with 4 kids under the age of 7 years! The clients’ primary issue was the lack of built-in storage, which they had tried to overcome over the years by making several trips to a large Swedish store to purchase off-the-shelf shelving and storage cabinets.

The clients had been reflecting on their home and future needs as the children were now all in school. The ad hoc and reactive nature of their purchases meant that their home lacked a cohesive look and feel. Also, the cabinets looked dated after being used heavily. The clients realised they would need to invest in storage solutions that would meet their family’s long-term needs, instead of making “trigger” purchases. They decided to engage us for some interior decoration and design advice.

The first step was for us to meet the clients in their home and see each room. We asked them a lot of questions such as the children’s hobbies, sleeping habits and lifestyle. They reiterated that their primary renovation objective was to make the house appear tidy, light and uncluttered.

At 360 Renovation Consulting, we pride ourselves on providing solutions that not just look good (their “form”), but are highly practical and functional, whilst being financially viable for clients. As such, our interior decoration advice included storage options and opportunities for almost each room in the house:

• Informal dining area - we suggested selling or storing the dining chairs and replacing these with banquette seating. This is essentially bench seating with storage that could be used for the children’s board games and toys

• Replacing the older twins’ single beds with multi-functional furniture - loft beds that include a cupboard for their clothes and a small study desk. This would make the current cupboards redundant and free up floor space in the small bedrooms

• For the younger twins, we asked the clients to consider removing the wall between their bedrooms. This allowed the twins to sleep together in bunk beds, while the rest of the space was converted into an arts and crafts area by having cabinets run the entire length of the room below the windows

• Linen cupboard – we re-purposed one of the cupboards from the older twins’ rooms into additional storage in the first-floor landing. By simply changing the doors, we were able to ensure that it matched the surrounding décor

• Bathrooms – given the size of the family, we thought double-vanities in each bathroom were a must – whilst adding storage in spades

• Laundry - this had been renovated 2 years ago, but surprisingly lacked any “vertical” storage for tall items like the vacuum cleaner and ironing board. We suggested that the clients remove one set of cabinets below the benchtop, and replace it with the tall cupboard from the second older twin’s room. The benchtop was laminate, so could be easily shortened and re-fitted by a good carpenter. We provided several options for the re-purposed cupboard door - painting it to match the other cabinetry, using chalk or magnetic paint for the kids to enjoy, or painting it a striking and bright colour to make it a unique feature.
  

The clients were surprised and grateful to see the range of options we gave them. They realised that they did not have to make the changes and upgrades in one go, rather in phases as their budget permitted. Whilst they were keen to avail of our Implementation and Installation service, we suggested that this service was better suited for renovations where a number of trades had to be managed and the project had to be completed in a specified timeframe. As they only needed a single trade - a carpenter/joiner - they could work directly with them as funds permitted. We continued to support the project by putting them in touch with our carpenter. Having worked with us previously, he was quick to understand our drawings and the full scope of work. We had a Zoom meeting to make some clarifications and answer his questions, and promised the clients that we would check in with them from time to time.

Find out more about our Interior Decoration service, and call us now to see how we can help !