If you’re
anything like me and have lots of things in your home that you wouldn’t pick to
have there but need them to actually function or if you are just looking for
clever ways to store items you would rather hide, then these clever ideas could
help you get around that.
1.
The Remote Controls – Carve out an old books
interior and put it on the coffee table. To visiting guests it’s just a book on
the coffee table, to you and me it’s a hidden remote control!
Tip: Don’t
forget to tell the baby sitter where you keep the remote!
2.
Tissues – Carve out an old book and put a stack
of tissues inside. Don’t forget to carve a slit for extracting the tissues out
one by one!
Tip: If
you get a big enough old book you won’t even need to take your tissues out of
the box they came in.
3.
Can Safe – you can buy these from most general
stores and quirky little nicnak shops. However, if you would prefer to make
your own carefully remove the bottom or top of your can/tin. Empty the content
s into another storage container and thoroughly wash the can out carefully.
Then use sandpaper to smooth the edges and there you go an instant safe for
keys/cash and small valuables etc. (You can reattach the lid or bottom with a
piece of masking tape hidden on the inside of the item.)
Now you
can stand the can back in your cupboard and there you have it a clever
disguised safe store!
Tip:
Use an item that is quiet common like a can of beans as it is less likely to
stand out!
4.
Storage – Take a shoebox and some old books,
carefully cut off the spines of the books to use. Stick the spines along one of
the long edges of the shoebox, PVA /craft glue is good for this. Make sure you
have enough book spines to cover the length of one side of the shoebox. Just
pop it on your bookshelves in-between the rest of your books... Et Voilà!
Tip: Hardback books are the
best for this project!
5.
Lawn sprinkler key hide - We have all had that
Oh-No moment when we have locked ourselves out of the house or forgot our keys,
well never fear with this nifty idea this will never happen to you again. No burglar
will think to check inside a piece of plastic lawn equipment. Cheap to pick up
from any good D.I.Y store or garden centre.
Tip: You probably have
something like this lurking around in the shed so go check there first!
6.
Hidden TV – If you are anything like me then you
love having all the mod cons around as they certainly make life easier and more
enjoyable but they aren’t always pretty to look at not with your New England décor
anyway! Here is a clever solution, a couple of cupboard doors or cleverly made
MDF pieces (if you’re like me and always on the hunt for a bargain!) and some
metal runners. Easy to put up and look fabulous!
7.
Storage bench – useful for in the garden and in
the home! We have one in our bathroom that has a deep storage part that I have
painted up and is in our bathroom as a laundry bin.
Tip:
If you want to use one in a bathroom or outside a good durable paint is best
check the tin before application.
8.
Hidden Bin – Utilise a kitchen cupboard as an
area to have a smaller bin or perhaps two, one for recycling. This would prompt
you to empty it more often and isn’t there as an eye sore in your kitchen! Many
new kitchens have the option to have these built in. However, if you want to
simply add one to your existing kitchen like us then take the door off its hinges
and attach it to a drawer on runners like above!
Tip:
Using a set of smaller bins aids recycling and avoids more sorting later!
9.
Hidden Keys – Bulky keys can be a real
eyesore. Putting a picture frame on hinges is a great solution for hiding them
not to mention the added bonus of security!
10.
Hidden kitchen roll – We always end up with
rolls and rolls of half-used kitchen paper and ones that always get stood in
water and stuff. So this is a perfect idea, a shelf and storage all rolled into
one!
11.
Hidden litter box – We have installed a cupboard under the sink
in the utility room, with a cat flap so our pet can use easily when we are not
there. I have even gone the extra mile to tile the inside and have installed
the litter box into a sunken frame, which too is tiled for ease of cleaning.
The front of the cupboard has hinged doors so we can get into it to clean and
remove any nasties. We have also put a hook inside the cupboard for the scoop
and bags as it seemed the obvious place to store it.
A blog post on Purrrfect Pet Solution:
