Oh storage space, how we always long for you, no matter the size of our homes! Trying to find ways to create more storage space in your home can be frustrating, especially if you don’t want to ruin your interior design aesthetic. Thankfully, there are a variety of options to add storage space to any home. My top five are listed below!

1. Pantry Baskets

Pantry baskets are a wonderful way to add storage space (and organization) to your pantry. In addition to providing you with a better way to store food, pantry baskets can also:

❤ Create defined storage areas. Think: baking mixes go here, quick snacks go here, fruit goes here, etc.

❤ Help you keep track of what food you already have and need to use - no more accidentally purchasing yet another box of pasta you already have.

❤ Make it easier to move around heavier pantry staples, like sugar and flour. Look for baskets you can easily lift to make refilling your countertop containers a breeze.

With material options that include metal, plastic, bamboo, wood, and glass in a variety of patterns and colors, you can find pantry baskets that are a perfect complement to the space you’ve created.

2. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves work well in most spaces, but they are especially advantageous in small kitchens. Instead of sacrificing precious cabinet space, floating shelves allow you to store frequently used items in an easy-to-grab location. As a design bonus, you can also showcase your favorite cookware, unique glassware, or family heirlooms in a crisp, clean way.

Pro-tip: Floating shelf brackets should be installed on studs. If you want to install them on a wall without studs, make sure you use appropriate anchors for the full weight of the shelf plus anything you might want to store on it.

3. Built-Ins

Built-ins are a timeless, beautiful way to add storage to most any room in your home. There are three types of built-ins that are common: open, closed, and combination. Combination built-ins feature a section of open shelves combined with a section of cabinet space, making them a very popular option for living rooms and bedrooms alike.

Open built-ins are a great option for an office space in which you can easily store both technology and books while displaying your degrees, accolades, and photos of both your fur and human babies. Alternatively, closed built-ins make for incredible pantries and helpful additions to walk-in closets. Drawers to store your shoes, accessories, and purses? Yes, please!

4. Storage Benches

Storage benches do the great task of providing additional seating while also giving you storage space. Whether featuring open shelves as seen above or a closed-box option, storage benches work well in entryways, mudrooms, bedrooms, and even your kitchen. Need storage bench inspiration? See if any of these ideas give you a spark:

❤ Entryways and mudrooms: having a place to sit down and take off your boots or heels in the entryway or mudroom is a truly satisfying experience. As an added bonus, you now have an easy place to store hats, gloves, and even sunscreen and bug spray, which will now be easier than ever to find and to remember to use.

❤ Bedrooms: a storage bench at the foot of your bed makes a great place to store blankets, extra throw pillows, or infrequently worn shoes. It’s also a nice place to sit so you don’t fall over while sleepily putting on socks before your morning run!

❤ Kitchens: Switching out two dining table chairs for a storage bench allows you to have the same amount of seating while also providing a space to store table linens, holiday decor, or even small appliances that don’t get frequent use.

5. Hanging Kitchen Storage

Hanging kitchen storage isn’t only reserved for the classic hanging pots and pans racks (though those are certainly a great option); you can also hang spoons and spices, fruit baskets, knife racks, and more. Hanging kitchen storage should accomplish at least one of two tasks:

ONE / Give you an area to hang things that are clunky and/or take up a lot of space in cabinets or drawers

TWO / Make it simpler and faster for you to easily get to the frequently used kitchen items, knowing that those items may vary from person to person and kitchen to kitchen

Did any of these ideas inspire you? Contact us and we’d be happy to discuss options for helping you make your storage (and interior design) dreams come true!