image via furnishism.com

This room has everything to hand in one small area.  Consider incorporating a TV  to make ironing a little more bearable! 

via House and Home 

 via Domino Magazine

The ironing board almost becomes a piece of art on the wall! 

 by Hampton Designs

Flat surfaces are useful for folding garments ready for storage

via Country Living

This drying rack which extends from the wall is a great space saving idea

posted by Emily

posted by Emily

Need extra seating?  Add a few floor cushions for unexpected guests (perhaps best not to put your granny on one, though… she’ll never get up again!!) 

floor cushions, Anthropologie 

This sofa, below, is great for storing books and displaying your precious items.  Don’t add too much though, as it’ll end up looking messy and cluttered.  There’s the added bonus of a built-in side table too, so no real need for a coffee table.  Genius!

Modular Sofa by Patricia Hopfer

We love these small foldaway desks, below- the ultimate space saver!  It won’t replace an office of course, but ideal for catching-up with work.  It stops you sitting on the sofa in front of the telly with your laptop, too- no distractions!  We’d like to see it in a different colour, though- don’t you agree?

Murphy desk, overstock.com

posted by Emily

I can’t help thinking it may feel a little chlaustrophobic but a great idea nonetheless!

posted by Emily

So now you can stock up on beer and have enough chilled ready for those summer barbecues!  Also available in pink and orange, £3.99.

It goes without saying that a tidy, organised home helps to make life that little more stress-free by creating a calming atmosphere.  Start in the bedroom by organising your clothes and putting them away an accessible, methodical manner. I’m not suggesting you become obsessive- a little mess never hurt anyone!  If the space isn’t available for a walk-in wardrobe, why not invest in a wardrobe complete with inner selving and separated compartments?  Try Ikea for some fabulous storage suggestions!

Go from this…

To this!

Group clothes for ease, for example hang workwear together, keep knits folded and neatly piled, separate items by colour and function.  This way, you know exactly what you have and where to find it.  And after all, you have spent money on these items, so try to keep them tidy crinkle-free!

I really love the wardrobe below, the finish is so stylish and modern but in a traditional sort of way! I’m not so sure about the doors being clear, though. One advantage is that clear doors allow the wardrobe to become part of the room, thus creating the illusion of a bigger space. But then is there any need for a door at all?  A disadvantage is that as some of the clothing is still on view, which has the potential to be not so pleasing on the eye.  The layout is very much like walking into a clothing store- you can see where everything is straight away… no more rumaging for that special top!  

The different compartments in the wardrobe below are really useful.  I do think that it would benefit from a door though, to reflect and continue the simplicity in the room.

Who said a wardrobe is just for clothes?  Hang your bags, too to make them easily accessible.  Why not use small wall hooks to display jewellery and other small accessories!

Divide unused areas such as beneath the stairs (see below) into sections to make better use of the space.  A closet which opens to reveal a mixed-up, messy mound of household appliances is no good to anyone (I think we have all been guilty of this one at some point)!  Wicker baskets have been used to keep smaller items at your fingertips and the large units glide outwards with ease thanks to the concealed wheels.  Who would have thought so much could hide inside a small space!

The shelving below caught my attention, not simply because it is a unique modern piece of furniture but also because oddments of different shapes and sizes can be attractively displayed.

Simple but so effective, why haven’t we all got dividers in our drawers?!  It would save time rummaging in the early hours of the morning before work.  These bamboo dividers, below, are ideal.  Use for your makeup too, girls!

As kitchen companies strive to introduce something ‘new’ to the industry,  the choice of innovative design is excellent.  I’ve always despised the corner cupboards, where utensils seem to disappear forever right to the back, never to be seen again!  Not any more with this idea below…

And finally, I really love this idea.  The piece of canvas-style artwork on the wall becomes cupboard space!  Brilliant.