Hidden Storage in Your Home

Are you looking to find some hidden storage in your home? I’ve already shared some places where we’ve captured square footage in our home. But I haven’t shared it all.

coat closet and cabinets built into the hidden storage in your home that is under your stairs
watkins cabinet makers

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Space Under the Stairs

You all know about my pantry that is under my stairs. While that was the best use of that extra space for our family there are plenty of other ideas for using this hidden storage space. You can read about our pantry HERE.

Pantry under the stairs with white laminate 8" shelves on both sides and a wire rack in the back
livinglargeinasmallhouse

Here are some ideas that I’ve seen for using the under-the-stairs space:

  • Book Shelves
beautiful bookshelves and bench build-in under a spiral staircase
bria hammel interiors
  • Office Nook
a desk built into the space under the stairs
marieflaniganinteriors
  • Secret Play Area
using the space under the stairs for a play space
Photo motivodesign
  • Reading Bench
cozy bench and drawers beneath build into the space under stairs
decorpad
  • Half Bathroom
Using the space under stairs for a 1/2 bath
Kohler
  • Home Bar
A bar and wine refrigerator that has been built into the space under stairs
Decor Pad
  • Pull out Drawers or Doors
dresser and open shelving built-in under stairs
Wood Meister Master Builders

Honestly, the possibilities are endless. Sandwiched on either side of our pantry are a built-in bookshelf unit in our den/office/guest room and a built-in cabinet hutch in our kitchen. More hidden storage opportunities.

Built-In Dresser

We took some completely unused space in the eaves of our roof and made a built-in dresser in our main bedroom. You can read more about it HERE.

Built in Dresser
livinglargeinasmallhouse

You can also build niches between the joints in the walls for storage in a room. We have a wall of niches in our shower in one of our bathrooms.

niche built into the wall of a bathroom for storage. A great use of hidden storage in your home
livinglargeinasmallhouse

I Live in A Very Small House, but my Windows look out on A Very Big World

-Confucius

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Other Hidden Storage

We used a pretty unique space. It is the space underneath our kitchen cabinets, in the toe kick. It’s the perfect size for baking items that I don’t use very much. There is a little handle and it easily rolls out when I need a cookie sheet or oversized baking pan. No one thinks about this gem of hidden storage space.

picture of a kitchen with the hidden storage in the toe kick of a kitchen cabinets open
Hidden storage in your home found in the toe kicks of the cabinets in your kitchen
Hidden storage in your home found in the toe kicks of the cabinets in your kitchen

Another way that we hide things in our small house is to always buy furniture with the potential for storage. End tables and coffee tables all were bought with storage when our kids were younger and space/storage was pushed to its limit. I’ve also bought dressers for sofa tables and decorative pieces so that I can use the drawers for storage. You can buy benches with storage and headboards with storage. All of our kid’s beds were lovingly handcrafted by “Handy” and they all had storage build-in underneath.

In one of my blog posts, I talk about the hardest part of living in a small house. You can read about it HERE

The key to maximizing space is to be creative and always look for hidden storage in your home.

Peace,

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Meet Me

After years in corporate America, I’ve channeled my interior design degree and passionate creativity into transforming our 1,300 square foot house into a cozy, inviting haven that proves beautiful living doesn’t require massive square footage.

My slight OCD tendencies fuel my love for organizing while my “Handy” husband helps bring my vintage-inspired decorating visions to life in our empty nest, where we entertain, garden, and cook from scratch.

Join me as I share practical wisdom, genuine humor, and professional insights for making the most of every square inch—because I’ve discovered that living large isn’t about the size of your home but how you fill it with style, function, and heart.

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A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.

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8 Comments

  1. I love these ideas! So creative. Under the stairs in my basement, I created a little playhouse for my grand babies.

    Reply

    1. I’m sure it’s adorable. You’ll have to share it on the blog. I would kill for a basement.

      Reply

  2. I’m so jealous of the drawers underneath your cabinets! Such a great idea! Pinned ????

    Reply

    1. They are great use of space for the things that I don’t use very often (baking stuff) 🙂

      Reply

  3. So many great ideas to not waste an inch of real estate!

    Reply

    1. We use every inch in this small house 😉

      Reply

  4. I love the storage under your kitchen cabinets, Lynn! It’s a brilliant idea.

    Reply

  5. Great post and so informative! I love those drawers in your kitchen, genius! Have a great weekend! Donna

    Reply