Question: I need a full wall of storage. I don’t want open shelves, but wooden doors will look cold and heavy, while Glass doors will reveal the mess behind. What kind of closed storage feels cheerful and interesting?

Answer: It’s a common misconception that closed storage will look cold and forbidding. While floor-to-ceiling wooden doors do look plain and boring, you can get creative and dream up ideas to visually break up the surface. Don’t think of the doors as devices to hide your books, but as a blank canvas you can play with. I’ve seen designers turn closet doors into a backdrop for their artwork, creating a huge mural that transformed the closet into a stunning feature and focal point.

If artwork isn’t your style, you can also break up the surface with colour blocks. It can be as subtle as using different wood tones and grain patterns, or various shades of one colour. In this striking design for a music-studio-cum-study (above), the designer drew on the artwork of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian for inspiration. Rectangular cupboard doors of various sizes in burnt orange, saffron and brick were put together to form a harmonious whole. Each door is upholstered in heavy Thai silk so it also provides a soundproofing effect. The clever pattern and zesty colours add warmth and help jazz up an otherwise simple room.

Photography: Alan Lee/Mekong Pictures
Design: Room Interior