12 Built-In Storage Ideas for Small Spaces

Kick Your Storage

Shallow, pullout toe-kick drawers and cabinets are great for storing flat objects like baking pans, pot lids and cleaning supplies. “To me, toe-kick space under kitchen and bathroom cabinets solves the largest single source of wasted space in most homes,” says Mike Bowman of Patio Productions.

Pro-tip: Use quality drawer slide hardware rated for at least 15 pounds. If you want to DIY this task, plan on under $40 for materials for each drawer.

Store it Under the Stairs

One space-saving built-in storage idea is to transform the area under your staircase with shelves, cabinets or drawers. The space then becomes ideal for stashing everything from shoes, cleaning supplies and seasonal items, to displaying a wine rack and even serving as a pet nook.

“Pull-out drawers or sliding shelves increase reach and prevent lost items,” says Jason Rowe of Hello Electrical. “Also, reinforce panels for heavy loads.” Depending on the configuration, this is a DIY job with minimal expense.

Install Slim Wall Shelves

Save floor space and increase storage with slim wall shelves and floating cabinets. The ones pictured above were designed by Rowe. When deciding what to place on the shelves, less is more, says professional organizer Julia Goldberg.

“Having too many small things on shelving creates visual clutter,” she says. “If you have a shelf that needs to hold a lot of smaller items, consider using a basket, which gives one thing for your eye to settle on, versus lots of little things.”

Create a Vertical Wellness Nook

Transform dead space on a narrow wall or in a corner into a mindful mini-sanctuary. These vertical wellness nooks visually cue your brain to stop and center yourself, says Watts. Try a floating shelf with a candle or journal, a yoga mat rolled up vertically or hooks for hanging meditation beads or resistance bands.

“The most important aspect is to be minimalist,” she says. “The vertical wellness nook needs to remain uncluttered so that it doesn’t distract from the space’s ability to help declutter your mind, not just the floor.”

Build Into the Pantry

Replace that wire shelving in the pantry with a custom and purposeful built-in. Designate zones for your most-used items, such as coffee, baking supplies and snacks. “Adding an outlet and countertop space also gives you a place to use or store appliances, like the toaster, coffee machine or blender, freeing up valuable kitchen counter space,” says professional organizer Marta Parfan.

Pro-tip: Use painted MDF or melamine for a budget build, or add a real wood or stone countertop for a high-end splash.

Add Storage Under Seating

Seek out double-duty furniture. For example, “An ottoman that opens for storage, or a coffee table with drawers, are ways to keep your essentials hidden but still take advantage of more living area,” says Shaun Martin of We Buy Houses. You can even build your own storage ottoman in a single day.

Also, think about creating space for gardening tools, sports gear or barbecue supplies by expanding this idea to include outdoor benches with storage inside.

Use Dead Space in the Bathroom

Transforming that area under the sink is a nifty built-in storage idea. “The under-sink cabinet is usually chaos wrapped around plumbing, but a U-shaped pull-out makes the space intentional,” says Ditzler.

Chances are, there is also empty space above your toilet, in between the shower and the sink and above the door. A medicine cabinet built into the stud cavity of the wall is especially useful in small bathrooms. You can buy storage solutions for your bathroom, too, like a cabinet that goes over the toilet to increase storage space.

Maximize Attic Space

Finishing an attic is a great way to add an extra bedroom or an office to your home. But even if your attic isn’t well-suited for that, you should still utilize it for the storage space. “Built-in shelves in attics keep bins neat and make it easier to grab what you need without having to dig through or shuffle boxes around,” says Parks.

Pro-tip: Use matching bins and labels to make the shelves look and feel more organized.

Use Under-Bed Storage

There’s an enormous amount of space under most beds, just waiting to be tapped into. Some handy ideas for claiming it include drawers, rolling bins, vacuum-sealed bags and even old suitcases. “Under-bed storage is a game-changer for those with a shoebox-sized closet,” says Zack Moorin of Zack Buys Houses. “This easily-forgotten space is perfect for stashing out-of-season clothes, shoes and extra bedding.” As an added bonus, turning the area into storage also helps cut down on the dust bunnies that collect there.

Build Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are an excellent built-in storage idea for freeing up floor space, especially in kids’ rooms. Depending on how you build them, you can create clever extra shelving within the structure, too, on the side or set into the wall behind the pillows. A woodworker should also be able to incorporate a couple of roomy drawers beneath the bottom bunk to make even more use of the space.

Customize Your Kitchen Cabinets for Storage

Create cabinets that have a rich inner life by carefully thinking about what you’ll use the storage for. Then, think about using cabinet organizers to maximize the space available. Even simple additions, like this pull-out wire basket, can help you organize your cabinets to cut down on clutter and make things easy to get out and put away. Also, check out these DIY projects to increase kitchen cabinet and drawer storage.

Add a Window Box

Window bench storage gives you more space for lounging around, plus an organizational boost. “Window benches are among the best built-ins for small rooms,” says professional organizer Olivia Parks. “They’re great for storing board games, blankets, pillows and kids’ toys.”

Maximize storage with lift-up tops (using soft-close hinges so they don’t slam), or use front drawers or baskets for quick access, says John Washer of Cabinets Plus. “There is a myth that these benches are costly, yet a simple MDF/ plywood construction with premade cushions can be less than $300.” You can also buy the foundations of them at IKEA (Sektion cabinets) or Semihandmade (Boxi model).

FAQ

What materials are best for built-in storage that needs to last?

Depending on your budget, solid choices include plywood, MDF, solid wood or high-quality laminate. “Plywood has an excellent weight-to-strength ratio, MDF gives a smooth surface that can be painted, and solid wood gives durability,” says John Washer of Cabinets Plus. “In cases where the area is very humid, such as bathrooms, moisture-resistant MDF or sealed plywood is the best.”

For durability and a feeling of wellness, Watts gravitates toward sustainable, natural building materials like solid wood or bamboo. “They offer longevity and will bring a grounding sense of stability to your home,” she says. “This is the complete opposite of plastics or inexpensive composite materials, which feel temporary and may disrupt the energy of your space.”

How do you clean and maintain built-in cabinets or shelves?

Periodically, dust them using a slightly damp, soft cloth and mild soap. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners that can damage surfaces. Keep slides and glides free of debris, and tighten hardware periodically. Using liners in high-use areas can also help. “If the built-ins are made from wood, apply a light coat of a natural furniture polish every six to twelve months to help protect the finish,” says Bowman.

About the Experts

• Meera Watts is founder of Siddhi Yoga and a Top 20 International Yoga Blogger.
• Tony Ditzler is president of ShelfGenie home organizing products and solutions.
• Mike Bowman is technical product manager and lead editor of Patio Productions.
• Jason Rowe is founder of Hello Electrical.
• Julia Goldberg is a professional organizer in Indiana with Love It and Label It.
• John Washer is founder and CEO of Cabinets Plus, a custom cabinets company in Orange County, California.
• Shaun Martin is owner of We Buy Houses in Denver, Colorado, and a home design enthusiast.
• Olivia Parks is a professional organizer in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she runs Nola Organizers.
• Marta Parfan is owner and professional organizer at Well Arranged Home, Inc., based in Calgary and Toronto.
• Zack Moorin is founder of Zack Buys Houses in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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