9 Secret Storage Spaces in Your Home You’re Probably Overlooking

Think you’ve run out of space? Think again.

Your kitchen pantry is jam-packed, the entry closet is looking stuffed, and every square foot of your attic is supposedly accounted for. Finding extra room to store belongings is an ongoing quest, so we wouldn’t be surprised if you felt like you’ve officially maxed out on stowage. But have you considered some of those often underutilized storage spaces?

Meet the Experts

• Erika Salloux, certified professional organizer and CEO of Living Harmony, LLC
• Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer and founder of Get It Straight
• Jess Cooney, professional interior designer and founder of Jess Cooney Interiors
• Cara Fineman, interior designer and founder of DAG Design

A Toe-Kick Under Your Cabinets
That recessed space under your lower cabinets? It’s usually just dead air—but it doesn’t have to be. “You can add toe-kick drawers to turn it into a clever, hidden storage zone for flat or low-profile items,” suggests Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer and founder of Get It Straight. “It’s a perfect home for things like baking sheets, cutting boards, place mats, pet bowls, seasonal linens, or even extra sponges and trash bags.”

 

Bookcases in Eaves
Eaves can feel awkward, but you can easily maximize this unused space by adding shelving. “In this teenage girl’s bedroom, we embraced the funky angles to create built-in storage flanking her bed,” says Cara Fineman, interior designer and founder of DAG Design. She explains, “We nestled the bed in between the built-ins, creating nightstands on either side of the bed, as well as space to display books and small accessories, and closed drawers below for overflow clothes from her closet.”

Above the Door Frame
The space just above a door frame is often underutilized, but it’s an excellent space for a shelf to store certain items—like apparel in a closet—or even a bit of décor. Erika Salloux, certified professional organizer and CEO of Living Harmony, LLC, says, “What you store on a shelf installed above the casing of a door will depend on where the door is. In a kitchen, it could hold attractive cooking pieces, like a marble mortar and pestle or a terracotta garlic roaster.”

Indoor Benches
No need to waste precious floor space or settle for messy shoe racks. Benches with drawers underneath fake a built-in look quite well. Berkshires-based designer Jess Cooney outfitted this mudroom with minimalist cabinetry for a family that favors Japandi style and Japanese practices. “Their home is meticulous,” the designer says. “Everything is put away in drawers with all sorts of specialized organizers.”

Behind the Doors
It’s easy to forget about the space behind a door—especially in a bedroom, closet, or laundry room—but these spaces are incredibly useful. “It’s a vertical goldmine,” Kilgour shares.

“You can hang over-the-door racks or slim organizers to store all sorts of things: scarves and belts, cleaning supplies, extra paper towels, snacks, gift wrap, or even shoes if you’re tight on closet space.” It’s one of those small changes that makes a big difference in your daily flow.

Beneath the Stairs
The space underneath your stairs is ripe with possibilities. “When stairs are open, you can put a wee bookcase or shelving under them to create heaps of extra storage,” says Salloux. You can also add a desk, a kid’s play corner, or even add doors to keep stored items out of sight.

 

On the Ceiling
For those with a small kitchen or one with only a few insufficient cabinets, don’t write off your ceiling. Consider installing a pot rack on the ceiling above a workspace or counter.

“I have to really work at convincing my clients to take it on, since it requires a bit of work—but the payoff is so very worth it,” Salloux shares. “And it doesn’t have to be…just pots and pans. You can hang your plant watering can, colanders, baking molds, and even smaller items like measuring spoons on it.”

 

Under the Kitchen Island
When remodeling your kitchen, consider trading extra stool seating for a built-in, under-the-island storage area. “Not only can the end offer a spot for shelving or even drawers, [but] it provides an extra prep zone for someone to help chop vegetables or whatnot,” says Cooney. “When entertaining, most guests tend to stand around the island rather than sit anyway.”

Ledges in the Bathroom
Take a look at your bathroom and see if there’s room for a petite ledge. “Ledges are lifesavers, especially in tight bathrooms,” Cooney says. Rather than tile all the way up the wall, find the right wainscoting-style height and top the tile with a ledge. Tiny plants, artwork, and soap fit easily on narrow ones, or if you have the space, go deeper to accommodate a shower with candles and a wine glass.

 

Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart