When sailing on the sea,ship cabins are the home of crews.But the small space often gives people a headache-clothes,tools and personal items are piled up in a mess.Especially on the long term voyage,the mess storage space will effect the mood.Moreover,it may also reduce work efficiency,even causing safety hazards.
But don’t worry!There are storage solutions for cabin owners.By clever planing and practical tips,even if the smallest stateroom can become tidy.This blog post will share several simple but effective storage solutions.I think by reading this blog post,will help you make the most of your cabin space.Whether new crew members or experience sailors,these tips will make your shipboard life more relax and comfort.
Assess Existing Space and Demand
In the small cabin,unpurposefully stacking items only will make space more mess.Scientific storage need start with precise evaluation.Here are some small cabin storage ideas,tips for doubling the storage space of narrow ship cabins:
① Initially,counting necessities.Distinguish what items are necessities and what items can be abandon
- Tools/Equipment:Prioritize the retention of essential items for navigation.Such as GPS navigator,lifesaving equipment and repair tools.At the same time,eliminating items that are repeatedly or infrequently used.
- Clothes:According to the voyage time to match clothes,and using roll-up method to save space.
- Foods:Choosing vacuum packaging,high calorie and storage resistant dry grains.Instead of bottles and jars that occupy space.
Tips:Judging by the “30 day usage frequency” – if you use it less than once a month,decisively abandon or replace it with a multifunctional item.
② Second,measure space.Record the precise dimension of cabin,bed bottom and wall area,etc
- The bottom of bed:measure height,choose flat moveable storage box to store season clothes or backup tools.
- Wall/Back side of door:Record the dimensions,planning hooks,grid hanging baskets or folding table.
- Ceiling:Install mesh pockets or lightweight hanging cabinets to store lightweight items like life jackets,ropes.Please note:reserve at least 20% space to avoid cause visual repression and difficulty in emergency retrieval.
③ Third,solutions of common problems
- Humid:Put moisture proof agent (silicone bag or homemade lime cloth bag) in the storage box.Apply a thin layer of lubricating oil on metal tools to prevent rust.
- Items sliding:Lay anti slip pads under drawers/shelves or select storage bag with belt.
- Difficult to access:Place frequent items like flashlight,gloves in open hanging bag or bedhead elastic rope net,easy to access.
After assess existing space and demand,the next steps will be very clear,we can purposefully increase storage space.The next step is renovate furniture to multi functional furniture.
Multi Functional Renovation of Furniture
Hidden Storage
Even if the ship cabin is small,can also add extra storage area.On the shipboard,surface cleanliness and efficient storage as same as important.By hidden design,not only can stay cabin clean,but also can add additional storage space.Here are ways to store more things in your cabin,tips for doubling the storage space of narrow ship cabins:
① Customized bed box drawer:the “magic space” of single/double bunk bed
- Drawer style bed box:Suitable for single bed,install sliding rails under the bed (depth in 15-20cm).Can storage clothes,shoes or tool bags.For double bunk bed,can design into ladder drawer.Lower level crew members use the bottom large drawers,and upper crew members use side narrow drawers.
- Flip up bed board:The bed board use hinge to connect,the bottom make into large capacity storage compartment.This storage compartment can storage infrequent use items,such as spare bedding.
✔ Advantage: Not occupying activity space.
② Underseat hidden compartment
- Muti-functional seat bench:When lifting up the cushion of bench,there is hidden compartment that storage spare rope,life jackets and emergency medicine.Can match with waterproof sealed box to prevent seawater erosion.
- Folding chair hidden compartment:Hollow design of chair legs to store small tools like whistle,suitable for quick access in emergence situation.
✔ Advantage:Meet the SOLAS safety standard (easy to access life-saving equipment),avoid disorderly stacking.
③ The storage space of wardrobe top
Can reserve a space on the wardrobe top to install pull-out trays to store like life jackets and signal flare,etc.
Anti-slip design:Inner lining Velcro straps to prevent displacement during rough voyage.
Hidden hooks on the side wall:Install hooks on the wardrobe inner door.In this way,can hang easily accessible items like headlights and gloves.
✔ Advantage:Centralize emergence equipment to avoid wasting time searching.
Case reference
A sailor on a certain sailboat changed the lower bunk bed to drawers+flip cover type.And with a mesh bag hanging under the upper bunk bed board to store books.In this way,increasing storage capacity by 50%.
Foldable furniture
- Foldable desk board (unfolded when in use,fold when not in use).
- Design of retractable dining table and workbench.
On the ship,need to carefully calculate and utilize each square meter.We can use foldable and retractable furniture design.On one hand,can meet the daily use,on the other hand,can quickly fold up when not in use to avoid crowding.Here are two practical folding solutions,tips for doubling the storage space of narrow ship cabins.
✔ Fold mode:After folding,the thickness only a few centimeters,save space.
✔ Advantage:Low cost and simple renovation,suitable for most of vessels.
① Foldable desk panel:Wall mounted “invisible workbench”
Key points of design:
- Hinge fixation:Using heavy duty hinge to fix the desk board on the ship cabin.After unfolding,using folding legs or support ropes to fix it.
- Lightweight material:Adopt aluminum honeycomb panel or marine plywood panel.These two materials are lightweight,in addition, they have high load-bearing capacity.
- Anti-collision edge:Round corner design+silicone edging to avoid collision during rough sailing.
Usage scenarios:
- Dining mode:Unfold and match with folding chair,become a dining table for 2 people.
- Work mode:Add additional magnetic cup holder or small tool holder,transform into a maintenance station.
② Retractable mess table/Workbench 2-in-1
- Pull and push structure:Install sliding rail at the bottom of the desktop.
- Double-layer design:The lower layer as hidden small drawer,store flat items.
- Multi-functional expansion:
- Install slot:Insert expansion board to temporarily increase the tabletop (suitable for nautical chart operations).
Safety details:
- Anti-slip surface:Sticking anti-slip pads or processing micro concave convex texture to avoid items slip.
- Night mode:Insert LED soft light strips into the table edge,which are not dazzling for night use.
✔ Advantage:One table can meet the three major needs of dining,office and maintenance,especially suitable for long-distance flights.
Case Reference
A yacht crew install folding desk board and detachable bracket.After unfolding,match with the bed to form an “L shape workspace”.When fold it up,it doesn’t occupy aisle space.Likewise,someone combine the telescopic table with the sofa.And once pull out the desk,it instantly with the sofa transforms into a 4-person dining area.
Modular and Adjustable Storage Tools
The biggest challenge of ship cabin storage is not the small space.Instead of the shapes of items are different,and the frequency of use varies.However,by modular design and flexible adjustable can make the limited space efficient adaptation to changing demands at all time.Here are tips for doubling the storage space of narrow ship cabins.
Modular storage boxes:anti-slip,stackable and fast identification
Three major criteria for selecting boxes
- Material: First chose PP plastic boxes,which are lightweight and corrosion-resistance.Avoid metal boxes,which are easy to rust and loud noise.
- Non-slip design:The bottom of box with silicone strip,side box has concave convex card slot.This ensure when stacking boxes can automatic lock,anti wind and wave displacement.
- Size gradient:Prepare three dimensions–large (40L),medium (20L) and small (10L),which fit perfectly like Tetris blocks.
Classification management tips
- Label system:Using waterproof label machine (such as electrician’s tools,cleaning supplies).Sticking the labels on the side of box and inside the box cover.
- Color differentiation:For example,the red label represents emergency items,yellow label represents high frequency use items.
- Vertical stacking principle:Heavy box at the bottom,light box at the top.Place box that use more than 3 times a week in the middle layer.
✔ Applicable scenarios:Underbed storage,deck tool room and vertical stacking of cabin walls.
Moisture Prevention and Safety Optimization
On board,there is three main issues that storage must consider are moisture,bumpy and fire safety.Through scientific selection of storage furniture and fix measures,not only can protect items,but also ensure the safety of sailing.
① Airtight Container:Anti moisture and pest
Vacuum compression bag
- Applicable items:Large volume fabric like blankets,down jacket and spare bed sheets
Key Operating Points:
- Ensure the clothing completely dry before compress them to avoid mold growth.
- Can use electric vacuum pump,which efficiency is three times of manual.
Transparent Moisture-Proof Box
Applicable items:Dry goods like rice noodles and spices,camera lenses and electronic devices.
Upgrade plan
- Place color changing silicone desiccant inside the box.The desiccant will turn from blue to red when wet.
- Choose square folding type,which can save 30% space than circular ones.
② Fix anti-skid measures:Resist wave,wind and bumps
Stick 3M non-slip pads to the bottom of storage box.Cut into strips and stick them on the bottom of the box.Strip type is more resistant to dirt than sticking them whole.
Heavy duty box reinforcement:Use nylon zip ties to bind adjacent boxes to each other (forming a stable module).
Important item locking plan:Use elastic rope mesh pockets cover on the open shelf to fix medicine boxes and tool boxes.
③ Fireproof and Compliance:SOLAS standard first
Material selection exclusion zone
Disable:
- Ordinary foam plastic box,which is flammable and has toxic smoke.
- Wooden storage cabinets that did not access flame-retardant treat.
Recommend:Metal cabinets with vent holes or flame retardant PP plastic cabinets.
SOLAS Compliance Points
The storage of life-saving equipment:Life jackets must be placed in the easily accessible locations,such as the behind doors or underbed drawers,and must not be locked.
Escape Route:All the storage equipment can’t obstruct escape route,distance channel must at least 50cm clearance.
Crew Practical Experience Sharing
Case 1:One of our clients purchase our this type of storage bed,he is very satisfied.This bed help him greatly increase his storage space.
Case 2:Storage bench has storage space under cushion,add the space enable storage more items.These are tips for doubling the storage space of narrow ship cabins.
Reminder:Avoid excessive storage causing difficulty in accessing.Marine storage designer Marko said:The best storage is not to put the most instead of use it the most smoothly.
Sum up
In a limited cabin,the scientific storage not only can sort out items,but also can optimize maritime lifestyle.By making reasonable use of hidden space,modular design and security protection,will make your stateroom more livable.Mastering ship storage,maximize your cabin space,and your cabin will achieve:
- Space Doubling:From the bottom of the bed to the ceiling,squeeze every inch of potential.
- Increase frequency:Find the items more quickly.
- Safety and compliance:Through fire-resistant,moisture-proof and anti-skid design make the sailing more safer.
Let’s take action now and use these tips for doubling the storage space of narrow ship cabins!Start by assessing one area such as underbed or behind a door.Using these tips to transform it.When begin the next voyage,you will a more comfortable home aboard.
