Unless you’re one of the few who has mastered the art of minimalism, the chances are that owning too much stuff is making your home feel uncomfortable and closed-in. Building a second storey addition with lots of purpose-built storage is one of the best ways to not only accommodate for a growing family but also to ensure that your house remains a relaxing and clutter free space to live in.
Walk-in wardrobe
A second storey addition gives you the opportunity to extend your floorplan to include several extra bedrooms and if you are an opportunist, a perfect way to expand the storage options to accommodate for your shoe and clothing collections. Ideally suited for a master bedroom, a custom built walk-in wardrobe allows you to choose the configuration of drawers, cupboards and shelves that best suits your requirements. If you’re not keen on building a monstrous walk-in wardrobe but still want extra options for storing personal belongings, introducing changeable shelving heights is a great way to utilise space and give you flexibility down the track.
Built-in storage under staircase
You might think that stairways are just for getting to one floor from another- think again! When building a new staircase or steps between levels in an open-plan space as part of your second storey addition, one space-saving trick is to use the area under a staircase. Whether it’s built-in shelving, drawers or cupboards, your staircase can take on double duty, creating functionality in an otherwise unused space. Depending on your desired aesthetic, you can use the opportunity to carve off a nook and showcase artworks, collections, souvenirs or your library.
Clever wall cabinetry
Whether it’s planning out your children’s play area, new ensuite, office or laundry, creating a compartmentalised space for all those items that many people prefer to be hidden away like toys, toiletries, files and appliances is often a high priority. There are plenty of bespoke wall cabinet possibilities to explore however if you are looking for something that is less obtrusive than standalone furniture, fitting a whole wall of storage might just do the trick. Not only does this style of storage give you extra options for where you position fittings and fixtures, it also affords you maximum storage space that is likely to come in handy as your family expands or you accumulate more stuff.
Seat storage
Not everyone is into a minimalistic look when they undergo a second storey addition and there is no better way to introduce some character and charm in your remodel than by introducing bay window seats. Ideal for relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee and reading a book, a bay window seat can give you extra storage options when fitted with drawers, cabinets, shelves or a hinged bench top. While common in lounge rooms, a bay window seat can feature in a study, bedroom, playroom or even kitchen. If you want a more modern look, a bench seat will give you the same storage choices as well as offering you similar access to window views.