Storage ideas: crate expectations

Tuesday, 19 July 2011 11:36 AM

No-one wants to spend hours tidying up after their family, and a few strategically placed crates can help you get your interiors under control. These vintage crates from Bubbledrum are far superior to the plastic offerings at your local pound shop.

It's a textile box sourced from a factory in the North of England. It would have been used to store the garments produced. These can be found both with wheels (£195) and without wheels (£165), pictured. Great for use as a unique laundry basket or for quirky living room storage.

The website also has a range of tea chests, sourced from various wholesalers and dating back from the late 1970s to the 1990s. Some have the location/date stamped on them but most of the chests we have contained tea from Kenya or India. Apart from storage, the main use we find is to lay them on their side and use as coffee tables.

Bubbledrum source their items from factories, schools and other sources around Europe. Also on their website, you will find quirky lighting, gift ideas and large scale structures for business premises. 

Vintage Tobacco Tin Storage from Bubbledrum

Factory chic with tobacco tin storage unit

Storage doesn't just have to be a practical part of your urban pad. The right stand-out piece can set the tone for your decor scheme and, if you are in a loft-style city apartment, this quirky tobacco tin unit just screams factory chic.

 How do you store your wine?

Great ideas for wine storage

Whether your home is big or small, if you are a wine lover, you will want to make sure your storage space is both functional and fashionable. You might have a humble closet or an elaborate wine cellar - but with the right storage, you will always be able to enjoy a glass of well-preserved wine.
Bubbledrum Angled Enamla Factory Light

Vintage finds at Bubbledrum

Urban pads in a loft space or those that favour industrial style will look great with Bubbledrum's accessories. The online store is chock-full of original, vintage finds from factories, schools and outbuildings across the UK and Europe.

 Stylish storage from Supatra

Stylish storage for your entertainment system

Don't let clutter and cables ruin your living room. All your devices and their wires can be neatly stored in an oriental style cabinet from Supatra, which combines functionality with elegance.
Stainless steel trunks have a sleek look.

Stylish storage with steel trunks

A stylish storage option can be difficult to come by but if you choose the right piece it can be a focal point of the room as well as a storage item. Trunks are a great option as both a decorative piece and functional home accessory because they can be used to store winter clothes, shoes or any number of things.

IKEA's Artistic Inspiration bedroom

Artistic bedroom ideas by IKEA

The myriad bank holidays in April and May offer ample opportunity for DIY - or, much more creatively, a bedroom makeover. You can create your ultimate urban pad sleeping sanctuary with a little help from the creative types at IKEA.
Transform your urban pad with a home cinema

Home cinema and storage solutions at Inhouse Interiors

Add a home cinema to your urban pad and you can include bespoke storage solutions for all your DVDs, CDs and media collection.

 Fun and funky All Sorts Chandelier

Contemporary light ideas from Alexander & Pearl

Let there be light, and unusual light at that, with the new range from Alexander & Pearl. The highlight of the new Autumn collection is undoubtedly their All Sorts Chandelier, perfect for an eye-catching lighting piece for the dining room.

Treasures of the world

Bring your wanderlust back to your home.

Wanderlust seems to be a trend in home décor this year with pieces from all over the globe making it into UK sitting rooms. The look requires items to be from many different locations and have an eclectic feel.

Go retro with an iPhone handset

Plug in your iPhone for an old-fashioned chat

We love new technology but sometimes, at home, wouldn't it be nice to ditch the touch-screen for a phone with a traditional handset? Now, you can plug in your Apple iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches and enjoy a good old gossip Lady Gaga style.