Wouldn’t it be great if you could add a few extra feet to your home here and there? Heck, even a few extra inches would make a difference in some cases. Well, you might be surprised by just how much unused space there really is in your home.
Behind Doors
You might find that there is a good deal of space behind bedroom doors. Even those that open into the room, as many do, can open quite wide while still allowing for some added storage. If you can find or build a shelf that is about as wide as the door and isn’t too deep, you can place it behind the door for additional storage without limiting doorway access. In many cases, shelves can be up to 12” deep without creating an obstruction, and 12” is a fairly standard size.
More Room in Closets
Linen closets are a good example, as is any other narrow closet with floor to ceiling shelves. Often, these shelves have a lot of space between them, which either means space is wasted, or items are piled high making the space less than tidy. Adding additional shelves between the existing ones, or at least between some of them, will give you more usable storage space.
The Top of the Fridge
I know many people that don’t like to store anything on top of the refrigerator. I know others who pile it high. I guess I am somewhere in the middle. I don’t think it’s good to pile too much up there, but it would be wasted space in my kitchen if I didn’t use it to store some things. I have a divider that contains mail and papers, a basket that holds an assortment of things like twist ties, matches, and other handy, miscellaneous items, and we also keep our piggy banks up there. This stuff would otherwise be on the counters instead of up out of the way. The top of the fridge is a good spot for a few small items that would otherwise clutter usable surfaces.
Related:
Using Wall Space Instead of Floor Space
Clean up the Hall or Entryway in Style
Top Five Tips for Keeping Clutter in Check