Storage is at a premium in modern day life and, for today's canny househunters, a well thought-out use of space can be a real bonus. Storage is "massively important", says Simon Ensor of Sherry FitzGerald.
Although he rarely has potential buyers pulling away from a house because of a lack of space, if you are considering doing some work on your house increasing the storage options will maximise value, he says.
Storage will not be a major issue if your house is 200sq m (2,100sq ft) plus, but it does make a difference in apartments and townhouses, says Pat Mullery of Douglas Newman Good. Also, if the househunter is trading down from a bigger house, storage can be a priority, he says. For starters, a Barna shed in the back garden will always be an addition to any home, Mullery says.
Homeowners sometimes make the mistake of sacrificing storage space when renovating or expanding their home. A utility room is a great addition to a home and should always be considered as an add-on to a kitchen extension, says architect Peter Roberts.
Indeed, a utility room, where natural light is not "absolutely essential", is an ideal room to put into the awkward inner section of a house created when a house is extended into the garden. Careful use of the understairs area can provide good storage space too, he adds.
Good utility rooms and bedrooms with storage are well worth investing in, says Geralyn Byrne of Sherry FitzGerald. Aside from the value it will add to your home, good storage will make it much easier to present the good face of your house to the world during the sales campaign.
"Hugely critical" for buyers, many simple steps can be taken to ensure your home is storage-friendly, says Clodagh Murphy of Gunne. If you already have a utility room, make sure it is being used to its maximum. Invest in some good shelving, which will highlight the existing space. A good de-clutter before the sales campaign is always a must, she adds.
While built-in wardrobes may not be to everyone's taste, there is no denying the practicality of closed off storage in a bedroom. If installing wardrobes, try keep with the style of the property and make sure they are never overpowering, she says. In a modern home, some of the wardrobe systems available from companies like Mobilia or Lomi can look great. Be a bit more traditional inolder houses.
Estate agent Felicity Fox agrees. While built-in storage is the "be-all and end-all" for some househunters, others will prefer traditional standalone storage units in period homes, she says.In the kitchen, good storage is a must. However, a nice Shaker-style kitchen with lots of presses is not enough anymore, says Murphy. You need pull-out chopping boards, foldaway ironing boards, circular larder units, plate racks, pull-out corner carousels, drawer tidies and integrated waste disposal units.
Ceiling-height units are a great way to maximise storage. Alno Kitchens has a great drawer tidy system and SieMatic has developed the MultiMatic system of storage which gives every utensil its very own home.
