How to design a boot room

Are you looking to squeeze some space into your home to stash your outdoors boots, coats and brollies or just to incorporate a simple storage solution by your front door that doesn’t look cluttered?

Whichever your preference, then here at Strive For Design we can not only design the space but we can also provide the furniture and carry out the installation. As Leigh Hall explains, a boot room is essentially a buffer between the outside world and the interiors of your home, and it also offers somewhere to leave outdoor shoes and coats. 'A boot room space can be used to store anything you frequently take in and out of your home, keeping the rest of your space tidy and clean,' says Leigh. 'You don’t really need to have a large home to find the space for one either, as you can utilise the hallway with clever space planning, and that's where we come in! The photos here show a sample of the fantastic furniture we can source from our range of suppliers, but there are also plenty more options to choose from.'

Our top tips when you're thinking about a boot room or area are as follows:

• Write a wish list of exactly how much storage you really need.
• Think about the how much 'outdoor life' space you need in comparison to indoor space, and add this to your list.
• Consider how many dog leads, umbrellas and so on you are wanting to organise.
• Do you need room for a pram?
• Are school bags and/or briefcases causing clutter?
• Think about made-to-measure storage, as that can often be the smartest option.
• Plan to include some cubby holes of different sizes to accommodate a variety of items.
• Clever design can ensure that the boot room storage complements your overall interior design theme.
• Always include a seating area or bench so that whenever you want to put your shoes or boots on there is somewhere to sit.
• Make the drawers double height so they can house boots as well as shoes.
• Opt for flooring that is washable and easy to keep clean as it's an area that will receive a large amount of traffic. Wooden flooring is not always the best option here, but tiles or vinyl can be.
• Choose the same wall paint colours and the right paint finish as that will help it to keep its appearance and offer a seamless connection with the rest of your downstairs. We'd recommend using an eggshell as this is a much more robust finish.

As experienced interior designers, Leigh and her team can create the perfect boot room for your property and recommend the best suppliers to deliver beautiful furniture and an exceptional finish. Why not contact us to discuss the best boot room for your property and lifestyle?