Creative Storage Ideas

Courtesy of My Home Ideas

If there is one thing we all seem to need more of, it's storage. No matter how large or how small our homes are, it always seems that there is never enough storage for all of the "stuff" that we seem to accumulate. Even people who are very organized and clutter-free need storage. Speaking from experience, many of my interior design clients who are organized and have homes free of clutter are those people who have learned to use their available storage to the best advantage. A place for everything and everything in its place.

Many of my clients have asked me to help them find additional storage options in their available space, and many times, we've had to get creative when space was lacking. Here are a few ideas to help you add some storage to your home without spending a small fortune for custom built-ins, custom closets, or expensive storage pieces.

First, you have to decide what goes where. What do you really need in each room? Once that's been decided, it's time to start looking around your home for areas where storage can be utilized.

High Storage - Many times when we think of storage, we think furniture, closets, and cabinets. But we often have several square feet of vertical space in a room that goes unused. Think about adding additional shelves in your closets or is there unused space above kitchen or bathroom cabinets that can be utilized? A friend of mine in NYC has some really nice baskets with lids which she keeps on top of her kitchen cabinets. She stores various serving pieces and seasonal items in the baskets.

Low Storage - In many homes, space under the bed goes unused. I personally do not like to store things under the bed because it's bad feng shui and does not allow the flow of chi. However, if your space is very limited there are lots of under bed storage options such as drawers, containers on wheels, and containers specifically designed for under bed storage. If your bed is too low, there are risers which can be used to give your bed some extra height. A decorating tip from me - if you plan to store things under your bed, use a bed skirt to hide things.

Skirt the Issue - A skirted table can also provide storage and make use of otherwise wasted space. There are also tables with shelves which are designed for extra storage. Even if you have a small table, you can expand the available space and surface area by adding a plywood top cut to the size you need. Then cover with a pretty table skirt, and voila! Extra storage and a nice decorating element, too. I have an old rectangular worktable that I picked up at a flea market which I covered with a custom fitted table cover and use it beside my bed as a nightstand, and store things underneath it.

Double Duty or Multi-Purpose Pieces - These are my favorites, especially for small spaces. When you're looking for furniture, think double or triple duty. An ottoman with storage is an obvious example, as are coffee and end tables with drawers or shelves. Console or sofa tables with shelves or drawers are also great to have. A sleeper sofa or a daybed with a pull-out trundle is also great for overnight guests. In a mudroom or entry, a bench with a lift top seat or a piece that serves as a bench plus coat rack with hooks or pegs.

Behind Doors - There is a lot of potential for storage on the back of every door. In the bathroom, it can be more than just a hook to hang your robe. You can attach towel bars behind a bathroom door, or you can hang a shoe organizer and use it for toiletries or bath items. Most of these organizers have several pockets that can be used for storing hair care items, toiletries, etc. Get creative and use it in your closet for things other than shoes.

Hanging Wire Baskets - These are usually a 3-tiered design and can be used in your kitchen, bathroom, or utility room to store a wide variety of items. I've seen them used in a kid's room to store or display stuffed animals, too.

Wine Racks - These are great for storing things other than wine bottles! I've seen one used in a bathroom for towels. Just roll them up and put them into the wine rack. You can get several towels into a smaller space, and you'll also get a nice decorative element as well.

In Between Space - This is a little trickier, but don't forget the space between studs in your walls. You can remove the drywall and add shelves for extra storage. But be careful when doing the work so you don't accidentally cut some wires or pipes! If you don't like exposed shelves, add some doors or shutters, or put a wall hanging over the opening to cover the space.

Double Hang - Did you know you can double your closet hanging space by adding a lower rod to hang your shorter items like blouses, jackets, shirts, and even pants and skirts? This is pretty easy to do and usually the second rod is hung about forty inches up from the floor.

Garage and Utility Room Storage - Consider installing deep shelves up above the doors. You can also use large hooks mounted on your garage ceiling or walls to store bicycles and sporting equipment. There are also peg rack systems and metal shelving systems designed specifically for garage and utility room storage that are not that expensive or difficult to install.

Kids' Rooms - You can get very creative and inventive when it comes to your kids' rooms. How about an old locker or two painted in a fun color? You can often find them at school surplus sales or flea markets. For their beds, there are lots of options available with built-in storage. Or, bunk beds with a desk built in underneath. Toy chests can do double duty as extra seating, and you can add a comfy seat cushion.

Under Stairways - Depending on the type of house and construction, you can sometimes find unused space under stairways or even under the eaves to add storage space, shelving, or even a little closet. I was in a home recently which had a tiny powder room tucked in under the stairs. It was an older home and the powder room was added several years ago. Very functional and very cute.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. For more ideas, there are many books and on-line resources available, not to mention magazines and TV shows. Sometimes, just one small idea will spark several new ones. Don't be afraid to think outside the box!