5 almost great ways of using every nook and cranny for efficient and beautiful storage.

Here’s the deal — I live in a really small house.

If you’ve been to my blog before you know the story. We were going to add-on, life happened, budget flew out the window, addition plans change.

So I live in this small house of 1000 square feet with two growing boys, two dogs, a hedgehog, some lizards, and couple of tortoises…oh, I almost forgot… and one saint of a wife.

Living in a small house, I decided to click on a link in a newsletter from BHG.com that said “Add Storage to Every Room“.

The picture above is the second one I saw. I hate to be rude to the venerable BHG, but that is not great storage. The space under the TV is “alright” storage, but that closet isn’t even worth talking about (but they do). That’s not what I need. I need much better than that!

I Need Serious Storage Ideas For Small Spaces

Of Course, I already sort of have them (the ideas), but seeing that picture made me want to go see what I could find. I went on the hunt for great small space storage ideas. I mean great!

I have to tell you, not all hunts work out. I found some good ideas, but great? You tell me.

Here’s what I found:

Idea #1 – Build a corner bookcase.

I have a spot that we’re planning on building a corner seating unit (like a window seat) with bookcases above. I think it’s a good idea. This picture isn’t exactly my style, but it shows how much stuff can fit in a corner. (roomlust.blogspot)

Idea #2 – Put more storage under the beds.

I’m doing the boys room soon and it needs ultra storage efficiency, but it also has to look cool. This photo again, shows a great idea, but not the look I want. The storage under the floor might be a little farther than I want to go. (urbansardines.wordpress)

Idea #3 – Totally max out wall space in the living room.

I have to tell you, I was getting frustrated by this point. Yet another great idea, but just not my style. The idea of getting a whole ton of storage on the wall around our couch sounds like it ought to be part of the plan. (hgtv.com)

Idea #4 – Put the kids bed in the sky!

Finally, one I like. All this needs is a serious dose of color and we’d be looking good. I should have saved this one for the upcoming post on beadboard! Check it out. By putting the kids bed up high, tons of floor space is opened up.

They need less headroom than you think. We traveled all over in a motorhome where the kids bed was in about a 30″ tall space! They loved it. I’ll be incorporating this idea for sure. The lights on the wall…I think I’ll do that as well. (crookedbrains.net)

Idea #5 – Use Custom Built-Ins Often

I finally decided to just sneak in a picture of what I’m doing in our bedroom…to the furniture. Lots of custom built-in stuff. Kim says I have to get further along before I’m allowed to show pictures, but I snuck in a tiny corner just to give you an idea. Hopefully the little piece of pillow will give you a frame of refrence.

This is maximum use of space. See the door hinges? You can’t really get closer to the door than that! I’ll show you when it’s all done how I deal with the casing on the door. The space above the bed will get doors and there are built-in cabinets below the open shelves you see.

We’ll wrap it up and paint it all pretty within the next couple of months.

Do you have any great small storage space ideas or photos you would like to share? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!