Got a dated half-wall or a cramped bathroom? For every awkward space in your home, there's an ingenious storage solution.
Welcome to Your Home, But Better, Family Handyman’s ultimate guide to making every inch of your space work harder. We’ll show you how to maximize function and transform challenging areas—from awkward nooks to cluttered entryways—into the organized home of your dreams.
Whether you have a small apartment or a large house, chances are you have an abundance of wasted space — and each one of those nooks, crannies and impractical angles ultimately holds a creative storage solution for decluttering your home.
Sure, hanging a shoe organizer from the back of your bedroom door can do wonders. But, how about creating a children’s fort under the wall-mounted table, or finally getting those aerosol cans in the garage organized and out of the way?
Here are some creative storage solutions for transforming your home’s unique architectural spaces.
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Under-Counter Caves
If you have a large unused space under a wall-mounted table or countertop, attach some doors to transform it into storage for holiday decorations and linens — or something a little more playful. In a kitchen with a deep, impractical space, interior designer Wendy Glaister added doors to create a children’s fort.
“It was big enough for the kids to play,” says Glaister. “The family’s son liked to use it for a garage for his pedal John Deere tractor, too, just as he saw his dad and grandpa do with their tractors in the family’s barn.”
This is a relatively easy DIY project, and should cost between $100 and $200 to buy the materials for the doors.
Shallow Space Under the Stairs
Adding a custom door can also be a creative storage solution for transforming that awkward space under the stairs. At this lakeside cabin, they now use that area to neatly store off-season clothing, games and bulk food supplies.
“All have more than enough room to be stowed nicely away without cluttering the rest of the cabin’s spaces,” says Glaister. “The design is seamless and blends into the room decor, something that was done with intent.”
Depending on the size of the opening beneath your stairs, plan on a couple of hundred dollars, or a bit more, to buy the door materials plus shelving.
Garage Ceiling Organizer
Garage shelves rarely make a good fit for aerosol cans, as they either get buried or all fall over when you go to pull one out from the back. “You can’t see what’s what,” says carpet cleaning expert Kyle Stroud. “This drove me crazy for years, until one day I decided to set out and solve it.”
Stroud’s solution is quick and free, if you have some extra cans lying around. Use any can that’s wider in diameter than the aerosol cans. Cut off the bottom, leaving about an inch of the sidewall intact. Cut out a ring to keep the upper part of the aerosol from falling. Then screw both rings to a piece of wood. He hangs these from the ceiling, but they’re also handy on the wall.
Recessed Shower Shelves
Another creative storage solution is streamlining your shower with recessed shelves. These niches eliminate the need for racks, plus keep your shower items tucked neatly out of the way.
“This is a unique storage solution we provide during every small bathroom remodel, and especially in every custom tiled shower,” says remodeler Ralph Severson. “If you have a big family sharing the same shower, multiple niches can be installed.”
Depending on your wall material, you can DIY the project for under $100, but cutting takes a bit of specialized skill. If you hire a pro, expect to spend $500 or more. And remember, recessed shelves aren’t limited to the shower. Try them in bathroom walls, above the vanity or on each side of the mirror, for extra storage around the sink.
Way Up On the Walls
Utilize the entire storage space by installing shallow, enclosed cabinets (or bins) above doors and hallway openings, extending all the way up to the ceiling. “A lot of homeowners skip ceiling-level storage because they think it is only meant for open shelves, but in reality, enclosed cabinets make that space more practical by keeping items dust-free, organized and out of sight,” says cleaning professional Joseph Passalacqua.
Pair high cabinets with pull-down racks for easier access, or use lightweight bins and a sturdy stepping-stool. Also, label each drawer to make it easy to find whatever you stashed in there, be it seasonal decorations, linens or travel bags. The cost depends greatly on the materials, but will likely fall within the range of at least $500 for a DIY project or $1,000-plus when hiring a professional.
Narrow Pantry
This house’s pantry had a narrow wall tucked beside an air-intake vent, leaving only a few inches of usable space. “But every inch counts in a small pantry,” says professional organizer Meg DeLong.
To make the most of it, they installed a customizable Elfa system from The Container Store (around $177). The slim shelves now hold rows of canned goods, jarred sauces and pantry staples that were previously buried in deeper cabinets. “It’s proof that with the right system, even a lost wall can become functional storage,” says DeLong.
Deep Space Under the Stairs
If your under-stair space extends far back, consider turning it into a kids’ nook. “We lined the walls with pegboards for vertical storage, giving the kids a place to hang art supplies, headphones and small bins, while keeping the floor clear for reading or getting creative,” says professional organizer Ea Fuqua. These pegboard kits cost about $40 each.
Alternatively, turn the space into a pantry. “The back wall was too valuable to leave bare, so we added stackable drawers to maximize storage and keep everything accessible,” says Fuqua. “These drawers are sturdy, easy to slide, and perfect for corralling snacks, protein powders and pantry overflow, though any good-quality plastic drawers will do the trick.” The drawers start at around $30 each.
Half-Wall Hidden Storage
If you have a half-wall divider in your home, you can turn it into a convenient stash spot for small, everyday essentials that crowd your entryway, like keys, mail, chargers, dog leashes and spare change.
“It’s one of those small projects that makes your space feel instantly more intentional, turning something dated into something downright useful,” says storage expert Maria Gatea.
It’s an easy DIY, which should cost less than $100. But be sure not to cut through anything important in the wall, like wiring or plumbing. Build a custom plywood box for the inside, or just use plastic bins. “Both options work well,” says Gatea. “The key is ensuring a snug fit that won’t rattle or shift.”
About the Experts
- Wendy Glaister is CEO, founder and principal designer at Wendy Glaister Interiors, a California-based luxury design firm.
- Kyle Stroud is the founder of All Ways Organic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning of Arizona, a cleaning service using plant-based, eco-friendly cleaners made in the US.
- Ralph Severson is the owner of Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, with over 30 years of remodeling experience.
- Joseph Passalacqua is the owner of Maid Sailors, a top-rated NYC maid cleaning service for homes and apartments.
- Sisters Ea Fuqua and Meg DeLong co-own The Tidy Home Nashville, a professional organizing and styling company, and are coauthors of book Tidying Up: 100 Ways to Infuse Order and Joy into Every Area of Your Home.
- Maria Gatea is a real estate editor with StorageCafe, a company that helps people find self-storage solutions.
