Call to order Organise the messiest areas of your home with our tips

Organisation advice

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Add a shelf Call to order

Take your storage to a whole new level with these tips for tackling the seven messiest spaces in your home

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A neat entry Slimline storage can help to tame clutter without dominating the hallway. Mix hooks or a coat rack with shoe shelves, and baskets for grab-and-go items like keys, wallets or even a ball for the dog.

Flexi Storage ‘Decorative Shelving’ 600mm x 240mm x 38mm floating shelf in Gloss White, $30, I/N: 2580892. Flexi Storage 38cm x 38cm x 38cm square ottoman in Navy Blue, $16, I/N: 0224353 (lid not shown). Flexi Storage Living 92.5cm x 37cm x 30cm 4 tier bamboo storage shelf, $28, I/N: 0184325. Devil’s ivy plant. Ezy Storage ‘Mode’ 5.1L baskets in Light Grey, $5.80, I/N: 0292485, and Light Blue, $5.80 each, I/N: 0292486 (lids not shown). Flexi Storage 165cm x 59cm x 30cm bamboo hallway unit, $49, I/N: 0248329. Flexi Storage Living bamboo coat stand, $24, I/N: 0237271. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

The secret to a tidy home is as simple as storage. But while more storage is better, it’s equally about how you store your stuff. Do an audit to check you’re making the most of every inch in cupboards and drawers, master your organisation so everything is readily at hand, and balance open shelves so they work hard but are still easy on the eye. Tweaking your storage – and adding a few clever solutions – can take your home from chaos to calm.

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Hang bags on the wall

2Perfectly planned pantry

“Shelves can be a great place to store your kitchen essentials, as it keeps your benchtops clear and everything close to hand,” says interior designer Annie Bowen (anniebowendesign.com). Tidy up with containers in a range of sizes in the same style, labelled with stickers or a marker. File packets and loose produce in clear bins so you can see everything at a glance. 

Right: Mode Deco 4 hook natural pine board hook rack, $17.40, I/N: 3962122. Flexi Storage 148cm x 60cm x 36cm bamboo storage ladder, $59, I/N: 0248327. Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Heart’ plant in Northcote Pottery Precinct Lite ‘Maxim’ 32cm x 29cm drum planter, $43.60, I/N: 2930030 (plant sold separately). Montgomery ‘Sweden’ 34cm x 24cm x 14.5cm storage containers, $6 each, I/N: 0235822, and 24cm x 17cm x 10.5cm storage container, $4, I/N: 0235829. All other products, stylist’s own.

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Every kitchen has at least one drawer that’s a magnet for clutter – to tame the mess, divide and conquer, storing like with like

Second drawer sorted The secret to sorting lots of different things is storage to suit, and this is 3 where drawer inserts are invaluable. When each item has a place of its own, it’s easier to keep everything tidy. Clear lidless containers, arranged snugly so they can’t slide around, work well.

Above: Montgomery ‘Sweden’ 36.5cm x 15cm x 11cm nest storage boxes, $6 each, I/N: 0266467, 36.5cm x 20cm x 11cm nest storage boxes, $8 each, I/N: 0266472, and 25cm x 15cm x 10cm nest storage boxes, $4.50 each, I/N: 0235827. All other products, stylist’s own.

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Under-sink solutions Clutter under the sink is an invitation 4 to mould and insects. Use washable containers to hold cloths, sponges and cleaning products. Fit child-safety locks on doors to keep dangerous chemicals away from kids or, where possible, pop them on a high shelf or cupboard, well out of reach.

Stackable trays

Left: Shade loving terrarium plants. Montgomery ‘Sweden’ 36.5cm x 15cm x 11cm nest storage box, $6, I/N: 0266467. Ezy Storage ‘Mode’ A5 stacking trays in Light Grey, $3.90 each, I/N: 0292494, Light Blue, $3.90 each, I/N: 0292495, and 5.1L baskets in Light Grey, $5.80 each, I/N: 0292485 (lids not shown). Glitz Green eucalyptus oil, $13.50/250ml, I/N: 4460484. Green Care drain cleaner, $11.50/1L, I/N: 0231632. Glitz Green cleaning vinegar, $2.74/2L, I/N: 4460483. Morgan 1L plastic spray bottle, $2.95, I/N: 4460634. Daytek classic wooden pegs, $11.95/pack of 24, I/N: 0209243. Vileda ‘Colours’ microfibre cloths, $12/ pack of 8, I/N: 0065913. Sabco ‘Professional’ non-scratch sponge scourers, $7.60/pack of 3, I/N: 4460724. Paint Partner rags in White, $6.94/1.5kg, I/N: 0105941. Sabco ‘Naturals’ long handle dish brush, $8.11, I/N: 0176628. Sunfresh laundry wash bag, $2.50, I/N: 4510438. All other products, stylist’s own.

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5Bathroom bliss

Introduce order to bathroom cabinets or drawers by using small, lidded containers.

Group like items together, or allocate one container to each family member for their everyday essentials. 

Right: Montgomery ‘Crystal’ 25cm x 15cm x 10cm storage container, $4.50, I/N: 0235827, and ‘Sweden’ 24cm x 17cm x 10.5cm storage container, $4, I/N: 0235829. Flexi Storage ‘Living’ paper weave basket in White, $11.99/set of 3, I/N: 0191267. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Read it!

Find more tips for a clutter-free bathing zone: bunnings.com.au/organise-your-bathroom

Lotus water hyacinth round storage baskets in Natural, $50/set of 3, I/N: 0252151 Kaboodle 450mm divider for timber drawers, $28.91, I/N: 2662174 Drawers with a cut-out around the plumbing make the most of every bit of space – and unlike cabinets, items are less likely to be lost in the back

Inabox 28L storage container with lid in Grey, $13.70, I/N: 0131396

Flexi Storage Living 70cm x 50cm x 26cm bamboo stackable shoe rack, $28, I/N: 0184324

Use drawer dividers to roll and store ties, belts, scarves, and even socks and smalls, then slide the divider onto a shelf.

Garment goals6 Beyond hangers, keeping clothes neatly ordered, uncreased and easy to find is a challenge. Bring order to your wardrobe by rolling instead of stacking smaller items and corralling them in baskets.

Storage and seating in one

Hills foldable bamboo laundry basket in Smoke, $29.95, I/N: 0013628. Flexi Storage 165cm x 132cm x 38cm bamboo garment rack with shelves, $79, I/N: 0248330. Fern plant in Eden 16cm ceramic hanging planter, $14, I/N: 0116135 (plant sold separately). Montgomery ‘Crystal’ 34cm x 24cm x 14.5cm storage containers in Charcoal, $6 each, I/N: 0235828. Flexi Storage 85mm 1 runner wire basket in White, $6.62, I/N: 2590157. All Set 12 compartment wardrobe drawer organisers in Grey, $7 each, I/N: 0201594. Flexi Storage 76cm x 38cm x 38cm rectangle ottoman in Navy Blue, $39, I/N: 0224355. Home Bazar ‘Bahama’ 120cm x 120cm round jute rug in Natural, $35, I/N: 0240463. All other products, stylist’s own.

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Shelfie success7

Bookshelves can be a great way to inject personality into your decor. Group books by colour and size, and balance packed shelves with clear spaces, baskets and vignettes of curated pieces. “Try to group things in odd numbers and various heights,” suggests Annie Bowen.

Home Design 80cm round mirror, $76, I/N: 1730218. Flexi Storage ‘Clever Cube’ 146cm x 76cm x 39cm 2 x 4 storage unit, $89, I/N: 2583384, and 360mm x 330mm x 330mm inserts in Natural Sea Grass, $15.75 each, I/N: 2582735. Golden cane palm plant in Northcote Pottery 44cm x 40cm fibreclay cylinder pot in White, $64.98, I/N: 0238848 (plant sold separately). Northcote Pottery 42cm terrazzo saucer in White, $35, I/N: 0238859. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. ◆