Are You Missing Out On Hidden Storage Opportunities In Your Home?
Adequate storage makes a big difference in how your home looks and functions. Clutter is a pain, and it could signal that you have too much stuff. But what if you're also missing out on this hidden storage in your home?
Install hooks behind hanging clothes in the closet. Mount shelves above door frames to stow small items inside decorative baskets. Create storage below open-style vanities and sinks with curtains, and maximize slim gaps between appliances with creative DIY storage. Drawers inside stairs and recessed shelves between wall studs are other great ways to add hidden storage.
Whether you want to do something small or tackle a bigger project, these hidden storage ideas deliver plenty of clutter-busting potential. Keep reading, and think about which ones will work best in your home.
Hidden Storage Ideas You Might Be Missing
It’s easy to think about typical items that keep items out of sight. Things like storage benches, cabinets, and storage ottomans are great options for adding extra places to stash items. Under the bed isn’t groundbreaking news when it comes to storage, but some people prefer to keep this area clear. However, if you’re limited on space, taking advantage of any storage gives you just the extra space you need to keep things nice and tidy.
Hang Stuff Behind The Clothes In Your Closet
Typically, you have a few inches of space between your hanging clothes and the closet wall. Don’t let it go to waste. Add hooks and hang items you don’t use frequently, like evening gowns, extra totes, belts, or a funky costume.
What you hang in this space will depend on what you have. For example, if you live in the South, you can probably count on one hand how often you need to wear a bulky winter coat. This could be a great contender for your closet wall. When hanging heavy items, make sure to install the hooks into studs or with appropriate anchors. Place the items parallel to the wall, and simply push the hanging clothes aside when you need to access something.
Stow Things Inside Baskets Above Door Frames
Mount a shelf above door frames to add extra storage to your home. Get a few decorative baskets that match your overall decor and place them on the shelf. Many times, these bins hide in plain sight because you walk into a room and don’t see them right away, since they’re above the line of vision. These baskets above the door frame are great for:
- Bathrooms for backstock supplies or extra towels
- Laundry rooms for backup detergent or products
- Bedrooms for off-season accessories
- Playrooms for extra toys or books (if you rotate items)
- Nurseries for spare diapers and wipes
- Toddler rooms for clothes they need to grow into
- Craft rooms or workshops for spare tools, paint, or hardware
- Home offices for extra supplies
Add Storage Under Open-Style Sinks And Vanities
If your bathroom vanity is open below the sink, you might think you’re stuck with wasted space. You stare at the pipes and wonder why you didn’t get a vanity with drawers or cabinets. Don’t worry, there’s no need for buyer’s remorse. All you do is use a tension rod and cafe-style curtain. Hang the curtain to hide the area below the sink, and you’ve created a hidden storage area.
Place stackable drawers, baskets, or similar items in this space to maximize storage in your bathroom. This trick is also great for under a laundry room sink. What if the design of your vanity or sink area doesn’t work with a tension rod? For example, you may have opted for a wall-mounted vanity to keep floor space clear, but now realize storage is more important. Try a flexible ceiling-mounted curtain track that you can cut to size and install under the vanity. Now you get hidden storage without the expense of replacing your vanity.
Fill Narrow Gaps Between Furniture, Appliances, And Walls
When your house lacks storage, a slim gap between the washing machine and dryer or between a cabinet and the wall can be really annoying. Why is this space sitting there taunting you? Don’t let the gap get you down, because you can turn it into a functional, effective storage solution. Depending on the available space, you could add a cabinet between the washer and dryer or a rolling cart. It’s possible to buy something that will fit, or you could DIY the perfect solution. The same thing goes for narrow spaces between walls and cabinets. Here are just a few ideas.
- A framed pegboard on wheels with hooks for tools or utensils
- A narrow utility cart
- A drawer flipped on its side, with small shelves added inside and wheels on the bottom
Get creative and think about how you could put the space to good use. Don’t ignore these slim gaps, because there’s always something you can store in them. Think of thin things like baking sheets, serving trays, spices, toiletries, make-up brushes, craft paints, etc.
Hidden Storage Ideas that Go The Extra Mile
The hidden storage solutions already mentioned are things you could likely tackle in a day or a weekend for minimal expense. However, if you have a bigger budget and are handy, or know someone who is, here are more ways to win the storage jackpot.
Make The Most Of A Staircase For More Storage
You’ve probably seen the idea about adding a closet or cozy nook under the stairs for storage. This is definitely a great idea if you can do it in your home. However, don’t forget about the actual steps. Turn the risers under each step into a drawer. Every step could hold something else if you need it to. If your stairs are near the entry, use the bottom steps to make coming and going easier. Put things like gloves, scarves, sunscreen, ball caps, and other seasonal items in them.
Add A Hidden Storage Cabinet Between Wall Studs
You have about 16 inches of slim space between wall studs (in some walls, it’s 24 inches). Either of these measurements could be a workable size to sneak in some shelves. You could install a medicine cabinet, a spice rack, or other storage space in the wall. Locate the studs in the wall and mark them, choosing an area without electrical, plumbing or ductwork. Measure and mark the space, cut out this section of drywall, frame out your cabinet, and add shelves. This video from On the Fly…DIY gives a good overview of how to add a recessed cabinet between studs. Then, if you want to turn it into hidden storage, you could add doors.
Sometimes, More Storage Isn’t the Problem, It’s Too Much Clutter
As you add storage to your home, be real about the items you have. If clutter is a constant problem, you might have too much stuff. To make the most of your hidden storage solutions, pare down things you don’t use or don’t need. At some point, your home will no longer have any space to fit stuff. At this point, it doesn’t mean you have to move, but rather, assess what you truly need to keep. It’s a good rule of thumb to declutter every now and then to keep your belongings from taking over your life.
Which Of These Hidden Storage Ideas Will You Try First?
After you’ve tried all the conventional ways to organize your stuff, you can feel like you’ve run out of room. Don’t despair, and consider if one of these out-of-the-box storage ideas will work for you. These creative solutions really can help when you feel like storage is in short supply.
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Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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