Question: The ceiling-height storage cupboard along one wall of my living room looks too plain, dark and ‘heavy'. Can I do anything to make it seem less bulky?

Answer: Any large, full-height cupboard is bound to appear massive and boring. Even if you chose one with a white laminate front, its sheer size and the wall area covered will make the whole storage unit look way too plain. The trick is to break up the facade. Create visual variety by inserting shelving units of a different colour, or of varying depths for dimension. You don't need to throw out the whole cupboard - just redesign one or two sections. Every cupboard is made as a modular unit, so ask your carpenter to remove two tall doors and modify the interiors by adding contrasting wood veneer. Veneer the shelving inside too, and you'll have an interesting play of dark and light sections.

The plain facade of this hall closet by Edgeline Planners (above) would look very boring were it not for the two columns of shelving inserted into the centre of the structure. Colourful accessories on the shelves brighten the whole look.