Interior Storage Specialist

Andris Kalniņš

14 years designing storage solutions that transform Jūrmala homes. From compact coastal apartments to historic wooden villas, he's created over 300 projects that prove storage doesn't have to be boring.

What He Does

Areas of Specialization

Wall-Mounted Systems

Custom-designed wall shelving that maximizes vertical space. Perfect for small apartments and homes where floor area is precious.

Modular Solutions

Flexible storage systems you can reconfigure as your needs change. Build your storage once, adapt it forever.

Jūrmala Homes

Deep expertise in coastal architecture. He understands the unique challenges of 1960s villas, modern apartments, and everything in between.

Design Integration

Storage that looks intentional, not like an afterthought. Every project balances function with aesthetic appeal.

In Conversation

Questions About His Work

How did you get into storage design?

Honestly, it wasn't some grand plan. While I was studying architecture at Riga Technical University, my family bought a 1960s cottage in Jūrmala that needed serious work. The original storage was non-existent — just closets that didn't work. I started sketching solutions, building wall systems, experimenting with modular layouts. Friends and neighbors noticed what I'd done and asked if I could help with their places too. By the time I graduated, I had a waiting list. That's when I realized this was what I actually wanted to do.

What's the biggest mistake people make with storage?

They design for the home they think they have, not the one they actually live in. Someone will say "I want floating shelves in my living room" and we build something beautiful — but it doesn't fit how they actually use the space. The best storage starts with real questions: What do you actually store? How often do you access it? Who uses it? Does it need to look polished or can it be hidden? Once we understand the actual life happening in the space, the design becomes obvious.

Why focus specifically on Jūrmala?

Jūrmala homes are genuinely different. You've got heritage wooden villas with awkward proportions and sloped ceilings. Modern apartments with minimal square meters. Historic buildings in protected areas where you can't modify walls. Coastal humidity that demands specific materials. The architectural styles vary wildly — art nouveau influences, Soviet-era practical design, contemporary minimalism all on the same street. Most generic storage solutions don't account for these realities. I've spent 14 years learning how to work within Jūrmala's specific context, and that knowledge is worth something.

What's a project you're particularly proud of?

There's a 1920s villa in the protected area where we created a hidden storage system along an entire hallway. From the outside, it just looks like wall paneling that matches the period style. Open the panels and you've got storage for seasonal items, cleaning supplies, and everything else that doesn't belong in the main rooms. The owner went from chaotic closets to having everything organized and invisible. That project perfectly captures what I love about this work — solving real problems in a way that respects the architecture.

What's changing in how people think about storage?

People are finally realizing that storage is part of interior design, not separate from it. They're not just asking "where do I put stuff?" but "how do I want this to look?" There's also more interest in modular systems — people don't want permanent solutions anymore. They move, their needs change, their families grow or shrink. Systems that adapt are becoming the default expectation. And honestly, people are more willing to invest in quality storage now. They see it as improving their actual quality of life, not just organizing clutter.

Professional Background

Experience & Education

Current Position

veltrique SIA

Senior Interior Storage Specialist. Leading design consultation for residential and commercial projects across Latvia. Focused on translating field experience into practical guidance for homeowners and design professionals.

Education

Riga Technical University

Faculty of Architecture. Studies focused on residential design, space planning, and practical construction methods. The foundation for understanding how architectural constraints shape storage possibilities.

Experience

14 Years in Storage Design

Over 300 completed projects across Latvia. Work ranges from compact studio apartments to large family homes. Deep experience with heritage properties, modern builds, and everything in between.

Publications

Baltic Design Media

Featured in regional design publications covering residential storage solutions, coastal architecture, and interior renovation projects. Regular contributor to design and lifestyle discussions.

The Approach

What Drives the Work

Storage should never feel like compromise. It's not about squeezing more stuff into less space — that's just making a mess look organized. Real storage solves the problem underneath: how do you actually live in your home? What do you need daily? What only comes out seasonally? What's purely sentimental and takes up way too much space?

Andris believes that good storage is invisible. It's the system that makes your morning routine smoother. It's the closet that doesn't make you frustrated when you're getting dressed. It's the shelf that holds your favorite books in a way that makes the room feel intentional, not cluttered. When people ask about his projects, they're usually describing how the space feels now — not the storage system itself. That's the real goal.

The constraints are actually the interesting part. A big empty room is easy. But a 1960s villa with sloped ceilings, narrow hallways, and original features you can't touch? That's where the actual design happens. Every challenge becomes an opportunity to create something that feels custom, not cookie-cutter. That's why he's focused on Jūrmala specifically — the constraints are what make the work meaningful.

He's not interested in trends. Storage that looks amazing in a magazine but doesn't function in real life isn't worth building. Every design decision needs to serve the actual life happening in the space. Form follows function, always — but there's no reason function can't be beautiful.

Written Work

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