We accumulate pieces over the years that are redundant for most of the time. But before you go out and buy a new container to hold the kids' crayons, kitchen utensils or toothbrushes, think about whether you already have something that could do the job, and in a much more visually interesting way too.

Here a giant wine glass has been turned into a funky container for kitchen serving spoons etc.

And when the last occupant swam off to new shores from this fish bowl, paint and brushes moved in. 

Whilst this funky light bulb vase from IotaBristol looks great filled with colourful buttons and knitting needles. Things that would normally take up space in a cupboard, become almost a piece of artwork in their own right.

There are lots of clever optical illusions you can employ to make a small room appear much larger and more spacious than it actually is.

Opt for furniture with legs so that you can see the floor under it. The more floor you can see the larger the room will feel. You can also get some extra storage space under raised furniture, just tuck those baskets and under bed boxes right into the middle so that they can't be seen at eye level.

It sounds obvious but strategically placed mirrors are fantastic for adding depth to a room. Places to target with mirrors are walls opposite windows and doors at the top of stairs.

Colour can also be used to play tricks with your eyes. Light and airy colours tend to move the walls out whilst darker hues will pull the walls inwards.

Do you have any more spacial optical illusion suggestions?

When you live in a small area, you can't afford to have redundant space. I pulled out the old broom cupboard under the stairs and designed this huge storage unit to go in its place. 

Our little-used serving dishes and vases are concealed behind the books. The TV hides the set-top boxes and sits on top of a cupboard full of toys and below this is a row of deep drawers for DVDs and the girls' endless stationary, colouring books and stickers sets. Whilst the door on the end has a whole filing cabinet inside it.

I also pulled down the ceiling on our single storey dining room to reveal the roof space beyond. As well as an attractive feature, the beams provide valuable extra space for books and are proving a useful place to stick those large scale models that the kids bring home from school from time to time. I'm starting a wicker basket collection up there too for my knitting and craft kit. And I'm on the look out for a battered leather suitcase and a traditional wooden sledge to finish off the still life. 

Have you made use of any hidden spaces in your home?