6 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Home
Purge like crazy, declutter often
A lack of storage space is one of the most common household problems to have and it’s not always an easy one to solve if you’re not well-versed in home decorating. Most older homes have a shortage of closet space, requiring homeowners and renters alike to become creative with their storage solutions. That being said, it can be quite difficult to integrate new storage ideas with existing furniture without making the much-needed space even more cluttered. The key to decluttering is to think outside the box, literally and figuratively. We’ll remove the guesswork by sharing some ingenious tips, tricks, and creative storage solutions to help you get organized once and for all.
No Closet? No Problem
If your home lacks sufficient closet space, consider simply adding a closed storage unit like an armoire or a wardrobe. This type of furniture doesn’t have to be relegated to the bedroom – an armoire can easily be used to de-clutter entryways and other areas of the home too. For a extra storage use containers such as wire baskets to maintain order inside the armoire as well.
Baskets can be used almost anywhere in the house, making them one of the most versatile organizational accessories. Not only do they increase storage space, but they can also add texture and style to a room too. Place a large basket on the floor to hold cozy blankets, or add a few smaller ones to open shelving to stash some of that clutter.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
People often neglect to look up when they’re arranging a space, and more times than not there is quite a bit of unused real estate above cabinets, shelves, and even doors. Add a few baskets above your kitchen cabinets to tuck away less-used or seasonal items. When choosing shelving, be sure to select a type that reaches almost to the ceiling to avoid wasting storage space. Additionally consider adding floating shelves above your bathroom door to hold towels, toilet paper, or other small items.
Do you have a hat collection that’s difficult to store? Display it proudly on the wall with shelves or hooks so it can be enjoyed every day. The same goes for items such as beautiful glassware in the kitchen, colorful office supplies, and anything else that is visually appealing. Open shelving and floating shelves work well to show off these types of items and make them part of the decor.
Multifunctional furniture like storage ottomans can perform double duty as a coffee table and a hidden storage unit, allowing you to remove clutter while still keeping it accessible. This is a great way to save space if you’re living in a home that lacks square footage. Other double-duty ideas include mirrors that house jewelry, dressers used as nightstands, or a rolling kitchen island that also functions as a work surface.
Mobile Storage
For frequently used items like art supplies, reference books or even baking ingredients, consider choosing a mobile option like a rolling cart. This will allow you to stash it away in the closet when it’s not in use, but you can also roll it to your work area when you need it (or when you need full access to the closet).
Take your vertical space a step further and remember that the best place to store something may be suspended from the wall or even hanging from the ceiling! Hooks are often thought of as purely utilitarian, but they can also be used decoratively to display items that you need within arm’s reach. You can hang your pots and pans from the ceiling to free up space in the cabinets. You might also consider wall-mounted furniture like pulldown desks and Murphy beds.
While lack of built-in storage is a common problem, all it takes is some ingenuity and outside-of-the-box thinking to create your own unique storage solutions in your home. The key is to look around your home and find creative ways to take advantage of the empty spaces. They’re often in unexpected areas – yet right in front of your nose!
Faith Towers Provencher is a do-it-yourself decor blogger with a passion for all things creative. She shares colorful DIY projects and inspiration on her blog, Design Fixation, and on her Instagram and Pinterest accounts. She has also regularly contributed to Houzz.com, BobVila.com, DIYs.com, Curbly.com, and many others. She received her art degree from Skidmore College in upstate New York and has been working on a freelance basis in the Boston area for a decade. When she’s not working, she’s usually exploring local antique shops with her family or walking her mischievous dog Charlie.
