home storage solutions with

Drop-and-pack zone

A dedicated spot to collect or deposit shoes, bags and kids’ paraphernalia on the way out the door, or as soon as you arrive home, is a great way to streamline household routines. To maximise storage, Sarah Cottman suggests utilising floor-to-ceiling space with a tall coat cupboard, nooks for baskets, large cupboards with shelves and plenty of hooks for jackets, hats and bags. “Mud roomstyle cupboards are great designated spots for kids’ school gear and can double as a handy charging station for iPads and laptops at the end of the day,” she says.

The style of your drop-and-pack zone is often a transition space itself – and can be unique to the rest of your house. “It’s a place where you can go bold!” says Lynda MacDonald. “Think beautiful wallpaper, or feature panelling, custom cabinet pulls or handles and fun colours,” she says. “Children’s initials in custom lettering on cupboards is a great way to personalise the space and identify their own storage spot for bags and sporting equipment.”

A sturdy seating area in a custom fabric, where you can perch to put on shoes, is also a handy and stylish inclusion. Below the bench seat, consider including integrated drawers or a stowaway nook. “I like to use plastic containers for wet or dirty items like muddy shoes, boots and umbrellas, which can sit inside nice decorative baskets,” says Sarah. 

cabinets to accessories.

A well-thought-out wall unit can turn an entryway into a practical mud room. Our unit includes Lugna tall and short cupboards, open display shelving, plenty of drawers and a useful bench seat nook made from shelf panels in Storm, customised with sturdy handles and a welcoming colour. For all other product details, see following page.

THIS PAGE Lugna cabinetry finished in Dulux ‘Renovation Range’ cabinet doors satin paint in Misty Moore, $89.90/1L, I/N: 0116473. Kaboodle Kitchen ‘Cali’ 160mm kitchen handles in Matt Black, $7.20 each, I/N: 0175908. Devil’s ivy plant Flexi Storage ‘Clever Cube’ water hyacinth half inserts, $18.63 each, I/N: 0286928, and (on previous page) ‘Decorative Shelving’ 600mm x 240mm x 38mm floating shelf in Ash Oak, $24.19, I/N: 2583905. Edge Creative Living 300mm x 300mm square acrylic mirror, $19.97, I/N: 1730154. Cork Tiles 305mm x 305mm x 6mm cork tile in Natural, $17.98/pack of 6, I/N: 6690244 (used as pinboard). Adoored ‘Disc’ robe hook in Black, $3.50, I/N: 0246353. Flamingo ‘Ziggi’ 200mm x 2.5cm dog leash in Black, $12, I/N: 0438957*. Walls painted in Dulux ‘Wash&Wear’ low sheen interior paint in Misty Moore Half, $66.90/2L, I/N: 1370157. Ficus rubber plant. Basket planter, for similar try Lotus Collection 55cm x 34cm poly rattan planter with wooden legs, $44.50, I/N: 0175505. The Estate Collection ‘Bayonne’ 330cm x 80cm polypropylene runner rug in Grey Blue, $190, I/N: 0189086. (On previous page) Verve Design ‘Selena’ wall light in Black, $82.29, I/N: 0019390 (globe sold separately). Baxter Bone ‘Two Tone’ double pet bowl in Charcoal, $34/medium, I/N: 0397778*. All other products, stylist’s own.

Create a calm and ordered study or office area you’ll enjoy working in. We customised these Lugna cabinet drawers with paint and our own knobs, then added a shelf as a desktop. 

Lugna drawers finished in Dulux ‘Renovation Range’ cabinet doors satin paint in Pale Tendril Quarter, $76.50/1L, I/N: 0116476. Prestige ‘Antique’ 34mm knobs in Iron, $4.80 each, I/N: 3962354. Brilliant ‘Orson’ 35cm classic industrial style DIY pendant light in Matt Black, $110, I/N: 0277231 (globe sold separately). Flexi Storage

‘Decorative Shelving’ 240mm x 38mm floating shelf in Oak: $24.19/600mm, I/N: 2583899, and $31/900mm, I/N: 2583900. Rubber plant Heart leaf philodendron plant. Cork Tiles 305mm x 305mm x 6mm cork tile in Natural, $17.98/pack of 6, I/N: 6690244 (used as pinboard). SpecRite ‘Glulam’ 1800mm x 600mm x 26mm FJ pine timber panel, $81, I/N: 0312972 (used as desktop). Verve Design ‘Chloe’ desk lamp in White, $54.48, I/N: 0271540 (globe sold separately). The Estate Collection

‘Romantic Bokhara’ 230cm x 160cm polypropylene rug in Beige, $236, I/N: 6670883. Walls painted in Dulux ‘Wash&Wear’ low sheen interior paint in Natural White, $66.90/2L, I/N: 1370157. Ficus rubber plant. Basket planter, for similar try Lotus Collection 55cm x 34cm poly rattan planter with wooden legs, $44.50, I/N: 0175505. Windoware ‘Renzo’ 180cm x 223cm sheer eyelet curtain in White, $27.50, I/N: 0367107, and ‘Ball’ 1750mm-3050mm 16/19mm adjustable metal curtain rod in Brilliant White, $33.50, I/N: 0367155. Chair, Furb. Wall art, Willow & Silk. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. This product is available to buy online only and is sold and delivered by a Bunnings Marketplace Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. Delivery charges may apply.

Home of f ice or study nook

Whether carving out a kids’ homework zone or spot where you can work from home, streamlined storage is essential. “Start with a desk, preferably 750mm high, teamed with an adjustable chair that can suit everyone in the family,” suggests Lynda MacDonald. Locate the zone near a window to capture natural light, and couple it with a desk lamp with a tilt or swivel head.

Document storage systems are key to housing paperwork. “I recommend a filing cabinet, combined with labelled trays, manilla folders on racks or wall pockets for active projects,” advises Sarah Cottman. Power cords, charging cables and devices may also need corralling. A sleek solution is to add a hole to the desk, with a cable duct you can feed cords through.

Overhead, consider open floating shelves for books, coordinated storage boxes and mementos. Lynda also suggests personalising the desktop.

Improve

“Leave space for family photos or decorative items you love. A few lush plants will make the space feel like it belongs in your home, rather than an impersonal office.”

ABOVE Desk made from Lugna shells and drawers. Flexi Storage ‘Decorative Shelving’ 900mm x 240mm x 38mm floating shelf in Oak, $31, I/N: 2583900. Cork Tiles 305mm x 305mm x 6mm cork tile in Natural, $17.98/pack of 6, I/N: 6690244 (used as pinboard). Prestige ‘Antique’ 34mm knobs in Iron, $4.80 each, I/N: 3962354. SpecRite ‘Glulam’ 1800mm x 600mm x 26mm FJ pine timber panel, $81, I/N: 0312972 (used as desktop). Taskmaster 60mm cable duct in White, $3.22/pack of 2, I/N: 0035543. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Keep in mind…

n Ensure all standing storage storage items are permanently anchored to the wall or another suitable surface, with fixings appropriate for that type of wall, to avoid them toppling and causing serious injury.

n Seek professional advice if you are unsure about what fixing hardware to use, and regularly check fixings are secure.

n Before drilling into walls, use a stud finder to check for wiring or pipework, and turn off the power. If unsure, call a professional.

n Follow paint manufacturer’s instructions for preparation of surfaces and application of paint, including paint drying/curing times.