According to Realtor.com, a home’s closet space is an important consideration for buyers. Even so, not all houses come equipped with an adequate amount of storage. That doesn’t necessarily mean you are out of luck, though. Creative solutions are sometimes required, and here are some ways you can utilize every nook and cranny.
Choose Double-Duty Furniture
Tight living quarters are often consumed with essential furniture items, leaving little room left for storage. A way to get around this is to choose furniture that serves multiple purposes. Look for pieces that are functional yet contain hidden storage compartments. A few examples of double-duty furniture include:
- Nesting or dining tables with drawers
- Storage benches or sofas
- Ottomans
- Reclining chairs with side pockets for books, magazines, etc.
- Sectional sofas with armrests that open up like a car console
- Beds that contain drawers underneath
Utilize Hidden Spaces
You probably already have a great deal of storage space that’s not being fully utilized. Look around your home to see if you could make better use of areas such as the:
- Inside of cupboard doors
- Outside edges of bookcases, cabinets, etc.
- Back side of doors
- Windowsills or ledges
- Narrow spaces in between appliances and/or cabinets
- Location directly underneath a staircase
It’s easy enough to add storage in these places. All it usually takes is a hanging shoe rack, cute basket, or magazine rack to make them useful. But with a few modifications, you could also increase the amount of storage by creating pull-out drawers inside your staircase or installing slide-outs at the base of your cabinets. You could even install very narrow shelving behind a door or in a tiny corner.
Go Vertical
When the amount of floor space is limited, you may have no choice but to go up. In that case, tall bookcases or shelving units can be beneficial, particularly if you also have very tall ceilings. Even a row of shelving high on the wall or a cornice placed over the top of a window could be used to show off collectibles or house a few books. Open shelves along a blank wall could be covered by a curtain for easy access and to help hide clutter.
When going vertical, don’t forget your furniture. Placing your bed on risers or adding extra-tall legs to a sofa will provide you with some extra space to tuck a few little items in. Since those things will easily be seen, use attractive bins or baskets to ensure everything stays contained.
Consider the Strategic Placement of Hooks
Hooks are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be used virtually anywhere. Not only that, but strategically-placed hooks can help you organize everything from coats and scarves to jewelry. They will also help you take advantage of any unused wall space, no matter how small it might be.
Some hooks may not even require wall space at all. For example, a hanging rack for pots and pans could be placed over the top of your kitchen counter or stove. And ones underneath a set of cabinets could hold coffee cups, utensils, or measuring spoons. Larger hooks with dowel rods in between would make a perfect spot for towels, foil, or plastic wrap along the side of your refrigerator or stove.
Know When You Are Maxed Out
Sometimes you can take advantage of every available corner, only to discover it still isn’t enough. In that case, a room addition might make more sense instead. If you’ve reached capacity, schedule a consultation with T&K Contractors to discuss your expansion options.