Today, almost everyone is focused on improving their lifestyles and making their homes look better hence the increased demand for storage space. This has become a major challenge, especially in urban areas, since houses are becoming smaller and smaller due to increased real estate prices. It becomes even a more significant challenge when you decide to move. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to create extra storage in your home.
So, what are some of the ideas you can implement to create extra storage space at home? You can use shelf dividers to separate relatively smaller rooms, wall-mounted seating to create more space on your floor, buy ottoman storage to provide you with extra storage space, install behind-the-door shelves, find alternatives to bedside tables, take advantage of high ceilings, or build more storage.
In this blog post, we discuss a wide range of practical ideas that you can use to create extra storage space at home. Read on to learn a few tips and tricks that will make your home look bigger than it is.
Why Do You Need Extra Storage At Home?
You need extra storage at home to make your house look bigger and more organized. People choose different options to enhance the general appearance as well as make their homes look better.
One such option is to use open shelving in the living room or any other area of your choice to create a clutter-free environment that gives an illusion of space and larger rooms.
Keep in mind that with bigger storage space, you can get rid of the need for a storage locker or rent out a self-storage unit. You will also have a place to store your seasonal clothes, extra furniture, and other belongings that you don’t use every day.
How to Create Extra Storage Space at Home
There are different ways you can create extra storage space at home. This section discusses some of the most popular and effective methods you can try in your home.
1. Use Shelf Dividers to Separate Rooms
If you live in a small apartment or house, you can use shelf dividers to create extra storage space and separate the living area from the bedroom, kitchen, or any other room.
This is a great idea since, most of the time, you will only need to open the sliding doors when you are in a particular room. If you do not use an enclosed room for real, this is one of the best storage ideas for small homes.
Shelf dividers are available in different materials, including wood, steel, iron, glass, or even plastic, depending on your budget and tastes. You can also find them in various shapes, sizes, and colors.
2. Buy Ottoman Storage
Ottomans are a great alternative to bedside tables or coffee tables since they provide you with extra storage for various items like books, magazines, tablet PCs, remote controls, pens, board games, among others.
Ottomans also come in different shapes and sizes, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Some ottomans also double as seating options, which is a bonus.
3. Install Behind-the-Door Shelves
The space behind the door is a good storage spot that is often overlooked. So, if you are looking to create extra storage space in your home, this is always a good starting point.
Take time to build a set of relatively shallow shelves and carefully mount them to the wall right behind your laundry room door. You can do the same for the space behind your other doors except for the main living room door.
The materials used to make the shelves are relatively inexpensive, and the entire process is a simple DIY project. Start by measuring the distance between the wall and door hinge and subtract at least one inch from it.
The figure you remain with will give you the maximum depth of the shelves. Feel free to use 1×4 for the sides and top of the shelves. Carefully screw the sides to the top, then screws three 1×2 hanging strips to the sides: one at the top, one at the bottom, and one centered.
Now it is time to nail metal shelf standards to the sides. Complete your project by nailing a 1×2 piece to the sides and top of the shelves. The primary purpose of this piece is to dress up the shelf unit and keep the shelves from falling off the shelf clips.
Now locate the studs, carefully drill clearance holes, and screw the shelves to the studs. Consider putting a rubber bumper on the frame to protect your door.
4. Install a Pegboard on a Wall
Pegboards are a great way to create storage space in your garage, workshop, or any other room in your home. You can use them to store various items like tools, kitchen utensils, arts and crafts supplies, and many more.
Pegboards are available in different sizes, and the most popular and versatile is the 4-foot by 8-foot pegboard. You can even cut it into half to create two 2-feet by 8-feet pegboards that you can use in your garage, storage rooms, hallways, etc.
If you need a larger size, you can join multiple panels together as long as they are the same width.
The panels can be fastened to the wall in various ways, including screws, nails, or even adhesive. You can also use a pegboard hanger to suspend it from the ceiling.
Once you have mounted the pegboard on the wall, it is time to start adding pegs and hooks. The best thing about these boards is that you can basically use them for any and every type of storage.
For example, you can hook screwdrivers onto a pegboard if you need to reduce how much your table saw takes up on the floor.
You can also attach cups to hold pencils, pens, or brushes; hooks for brooms or mops; or even a small basket to store screws, nails, or other small items.
5. Install a Bookcase Headboard
Consider installing a bookcase headboard if you are looking for extra storage and do not want to clutter your room with more furniture. This is a great way to add extra storage without taking up any additional space in your room.
Bookcase headboards are available in various sizes and styles, so it should not be difficult to find one that best suits your needs. They are also a great way to display your books, pictures, and other decorative items.
Most bookcase headboards are attached to the bed frame using screws or bolts, so you will need a partner to help you with the installation. The process is very simple and should take less than an hour to complete.
Start by measuring the width and height of your bed frame. This will give you the dimensions of the bookcase headboard. Now, mark the positions of the screws or bolts on the bed frame and headboard.
Next, use a drill to make pilot holes in the bed frame and headboard. Once the holes are drilled, attach the bookcase headboard to the bed frame using screws or bolts. If your headboard has a back, you will also need to attach it to the bed frame.
6. Build a Folding Table
Finally, if you need extra storage space but do not have the room for a traditional table, you may want to consider building a folding table. This is a great option if you need occasional extra seating space or storage but do not want to permanently clutter your room with another piece of furniture.
A folding table can be made from various materials, including wood, metal, or plastic. It can also be designed to match the existing style of your room. The best part is that it can be folded up and stored away when not in use, which takes up very little space.
Building a folding table is a relatively simple process and can be completed in a few hours. All you need is a straight edge, saw, drill, ruler, and screwdriver.
Start by measuring the table’s dimensions to make sure that it is big enough for your needs; allow at least one to two feet of space on each side for folding. Next, cut the pieces to size with the saw. This will create a rectangular frame for your table that supports the top when folded up.
Now, drill pilot holes into the frame and attach the screws. Make sure that the screws are short enough so that they will not go all the way through the frame when it is folded up.
Next, cut the top to size and attach it to the frame using screws or nails. If you want to fold the table in both directions, make sure that the screws are placed in the center of the tabletop.
Finally, attach the hinges to the frame and top. Make sure that they are aligned properly so that the table will fold evenly. Test out the folding mechanism to ensure that it is working correctly before you finish assembly.
Conclusion
These are just a few ideas for creating extra storage space in your home without taking up any additional room. These projects can be completed in a few hours with basic carpentry skills and some simple tools.
So, if you are running out of storage space, why not try one of these projects? You may be surprised at how much extra room you can create in your home.
