As we’ve talked about small room decorating this month, Cindy and I have shared lots of designer tips and ideas to make your space feel bigger.  One of the major difficulties in living in a small home or room is lack of storage so today I’m sharing some creative storage options.

Hide In Plain Sight

Bins and baskets are everywhere, prettier than ever and make it easier to decorate while also providing storage.  Whether you purchase a complete ‘system’ or adapt an existing bookshelf, paint some garage shelving or just stack boards on bricks (ah the memories!),  it’s easy to make a unit fit whatever space you have available. 

A simple Parsons table is the perfect frame to hold these file boxes.  Boxes or bins are available in just about any size, shape and color palette.  What could you hide in plain sight?  How about extra bedding, seasonal clothes or shoes, party serving dishes that aren’t needed regularly, hats/scarves/mittens, tax papers, trip memorbilia etc.? 

In an attic room this low bench fit nicely along the low wall.  Instead of letting space under the bench go to waste, attractive baskets hold all sorts of goodies. 

This pretty silverware tray now sits on a table at the entry to hold all that clutter we bring into the house and need a place for.  Tidy and pretty – what more do you need?

 Use Vertical Space

As I mentioned yesterday, this is THE most valuable real estate in your room.  It multiplies the square footage exponentially as you go UP the wall instead of out into the limited floor space.   Consider using the back of the door – maybe in the kids’ bathroom a shoe caddy like above could hold bath toys; in your craft room it could hold supplies; in a closet it could hold cleaning supplies (sponges, dust cloths, etc).

Yesterday had a photo of a bookcase as headboard, here’s another one.  I still think it’s a genius idea. 

These clever bookshelves fit in a narrow wall space and are built from …… spice racks!  Instead of a bulky piece of furniture where you’re tight on space, look at those narrow, hard to use spaces with fresh eyes. 

In your bathroom stack cubes in the appropriate size to fit in a corner.  Unfortunately so much in a bathroom is small and cluttery and is better hidden.  Create privacy by hanging a simple panel from small spring rods. 

Hard working bins again make an appearance either in the bathroom or linen closet.  Keep each person’s bath/hair essentials contained and accessible by giving each one their own bin. 

Storage is also an issue in the kitchen.  After you’ve filled every closet and shelf, see if there’s room for a small rolling cart.  It can roll out of the way when there are multiple cooks in the kitchen or even serve as a little island if there’s room.  See how the one above adds more storage and work space. 

Pegboard Uses

Pegboard has always been the workhorse of the garage holding tools and gardening equipment.  Bring it inside to turn the back of a door or inside of a closet into a wrapping or crafting center.  Fill a thrift store frame with pegboard cut to the right size, paint it all a color that works with your decor and put it to work.

 

Bulletin boards can be glammed up and made into a decorative element like above.  Framed with a cool vintage frame and covered with fabric, a bulletin board can be personalized for you or a kids’ room to keep track of important notices, jewelry, or anything lightweight.  Add ribbon to tuck notes and post cards in without pins. 

How about using those wire baskets for crafting supplies, cookbooks, movies/DVDs, or books for the kids, to hold anything that you want to easily see.  Shoeboxes are the standard to hold any number of things from photos to buttons, but why look at an ugly shoebox?  Jazz it up with a little paper and maybe a dab of ribbon from the $1 bin.  Along the same line, recycle coffee tins, glass jars, popcorn tins, and cereal boxes. 

Storage Solutions

Begin by identifying your particular storage crisis.  What is it that’s turning into clutter?  How often do you need to access it?  Then start thinking outside the box to find the solution that fits your needs.  Hopefully some of these ideas will get your ideas started.