How to make clutter look uncluttered

If you are short on space but want somewhere to display books, objet d’art and plants, the Nomad Shelf Ladder (above), H194xW55xD3.5cm, from Scandi Living, is a smart solution. Designed to resemble a ladder and made from oak, the Nomad rests on the wall, making it easy to move around, while still being sturdy. It comes with two shelves and four hooks, on which you could hang car keys, jewellery or even tea towels. You can also add extra shelves and a mirror. With its pared-back, Scandinavian look and durable design, it would work well with most decorating schemes – and the great thing is that if you decide it doesn’t work in your living room/hallway/bedroom, you can easily move it to another space.

Another compact and unobtrusive storage solution is the Note side table (above), designed by Lucidi Pevere Studio for Lema at Go Modern. It is made from stitched leather and metal with a bronze finish and will stand discreetly next to a sofa or chair. The handy pouch can hold books, magazines, pens and reading glasses, and its contemporary design looks sleek and sophisticated.

With nine separate cubby holes, the Storage Cubby Unit (above), H60xW70xD20cm, from Within, will tidy away a multitude of sins, including letters, keys, hats and scarves. Made from solid wood, the piece can be wall mounted or stand-alone, and would work equally well in a hallway, home office or living room. For those of you who are super-organised, you can also label each compartment so that everything gets put in exactly the right place. Don’t miss our pick of the best hat stands.

For a statement piece that looks amazing and has plenty of storage, the Oxo shelving unit (above left), H176xW105xD35cm, from Habitat is just the thing. Inspired by the post-modern designs of Italy’s Memphis Group from the 1980s, this graphic piece, made from lacquered wood, offers ample storage space for books and treasured objects.

For complete bedroom storage that makes a bold style statement, the B bed from Savoir Beds is the pièce de résistance! Sacha Walckhoff, product designer and creative director of Christian Lacroix, has joined the likes of Nicky Haslam, Mary Fox Linton and Jane Churchill in designing for Savoir Beds. In true Walckhoff style, the B bed is both flamboyant and quirky. Its towering headboard is made from pocket springs, while its cubbyholes – perfect for storing reading books, alarm clocks and anything else you need close by – can be reconfigured to suit you. The B bed is upholstered in Powder Blue novasuede (shown above) by Alcantara, but it can also be covered in a fabric of your choice.

For more clever storage solutions, check out these 5 ingenious bedroom storage ideas.