Storage is important in any home. Whether you're expanding your space or living in a shoebox, you'll be amazed at how much clearer and more liveable your home becomes when you store all your belongings properly. We consider a range of storage solutions, including bookcases, wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside tables shelvesHangers, boxes and multifunctional furniture.

Large elements: bookcases, cupboards, wardrobes

Buy versatile furniture for your living and entertaining space. Many retailers sell wall units that allow you to customise your storage space, for example, put doors and drawers on one section to hide video equipment and shelves on another to display books and decorations.

Wall units can also be modular, so that you can add more shelves and cupboards if your needs grow or if you move your furniture around or into a new home.

You don't have to get rid of your old wardrobe if it no longer suits your needs. Instead, consider modular wardrobe systems that fit your current wardrobe. Think baskets, shelves, shoe racks and hooks. You can even use wall units with rails at the bottom. As with all storage, prepare your wardrobe. Before you buy anything, measure your space and then think about what you need to store in your wardrobe and how much.

Small items: chests of drawers, sideboards, small dressers, night tables

For your dining room or living room, choose a dresser that has a series of drawers below the top board with wider cupboards at the base. Make your chest of drawers an integral part of your living room or bedroom by choosing a colourful painted piece of furniture.

Keep your entertainment gadgets neat and tidy with a TV stand that can house all your equipment - if you don't have a power point at the back, put your cables in a tube to hide them.

Use baskets in your kitchen and laundry cupboard to maximise storage space and access. Consider a modular cabinet for the laundry room, which will allow you to stack more drawers if your needs increase.

Use a mirrored mirror cabinet in the bathroom above the sink for easy access to frequently used items within easy reach. Install a small, narrow, high cupboard in unused corners of your bathroom to maximise space. Occupy the space above your bed and toilet with a hanging cupboard.

Use a bedside table with plenty of drawers and compartments for things you want to keep handy - books, tissues, glasses, etc. Magazine racks work well too. Use chest of drawers as a more compact way of storing clothes that do not need to be hung up.

Shelves and racks

• In your living room and recreation area, CD shelves allow you to store your collection. Buy one with adjustable shelves so you can also store magazines. Get a tall, narrow one if you're short of space, or look for a modular unit that will act as a highlight.
• Attach shelves and baskets inside cupboard doors and under kitchen shelves to store spices and condiments, crockery, cleaning materials and utensils.
• You can also use shelves to organise your kitchen efficiently. Think bottle racks, can racks and glass shelves like you see in cafes.
• Install shelves near the dishwasher to store dishes, but away from the foggy areas where you cook.
• A kitchen trolley is a mobile shelf.

• A magnetic knife rack provides an elegant and attractive storage space.
• Install shelves in alcoves or recessed walls to take advantage of the space.
• Framing a doorway with shelving to display books and other objects frees up space and adds a visual element.
• Use a small shelf or even a small low cupboard near the front door as a shoe rack.
• You can also place a shoe rack under your bed or in the back of your wardrobe. Hang shoe bags in the shape of 'shelves' from the wardrobe rod to save space and money.
• Shoe bags can also be used as a handy storage space to store smaller things in an orderly and easily accessible way. There are also jumper bags for larger items if you don't have room for a chest of drawers.
• If you have a lot of sponges and brooms, you can store them in a broom holder that you can easily attach to the wall.
• If your hall is narrow, combine shelves and cupboards.
• Install shelves above your toilet to optimise space
• Mount a 'caddy' in your bath or shower to keep your soap and toiletries within easy reach. You can find racks hanging from the top of the shower along the partition (with hooks for towels on the dry side), or use suction cups to hold them.
• When buying bathroom products, remember the following: chrome is cheaper than stainless steel but can rust. Stainless steel costs more to buy but will last longer. Plastic does not rust and is cheap.