Genius storage

SIX STYLISH HACKS TO GET YOUR SPACE ORGANISED

- NICKY PHILLIPS

Stencil drawer fronts

Bespoke a chest of drawers from Ikea with a simple chevron stencil. Stipple on furniture paint using a dry, coarse-haired paintbrush. Finish with clear matt varnish and leather tab handles.

Give it a twist… Choose a trellis design for a more traditional look.

Make a secret shelving den

Instead of placing shelf units against a wall, face them towards each other to create a special reading nook. Suspend floaty fabric over a swing curtain pole for a magical hideaway canopy, letting it drape to the floor for a fairy-tale feel.

Give it a twist… Swap one unit for the back of the bed head, if tight on space.

Replace solid doors with rattan

Get the designer look without the expense. Remove wood panels from wardrobe doors and staple sheets of cane to the backs. There’s no need to wet-stretch the cane – just pull it tight and fix in place.

Give it a twist… Cane is on trend but woven linen or softslub cotton can add texture in a similar way.

Top a stool with drawers

Combine two Ikea staples to make a bedside table. Attach a Moppe chest to the legs of a Tenhult stool using wood glue. Paint drawer fronts with leftover emulsion or tester pots and coat with matt varnish.

Give it a twist… Swap the paint for decoupage paper or pretty wallpaper offcuts to match your scheme.