4 Neat-and-Tidy DIY Storage Ideas

Four ideas for storage solutions in homes
Image: Four Generations One Roof

In a pinch for storage space? These DIY solutions will show you how to whip up more room.

When it comes to storage, room is a terrible thing to waste.

So we found four inspired ideas that transform unused square footage into organized space.

Rethink Your Hallways

Need to store more in your bathroom? So did Tim from the DIY blog, Marty’s Musing. To solve his overflowing paraphernalia problem, he moved a bathroom entrance three feet into the narrow 1940s hallway and carved out wall space for built-in shelving:

Bathroom door was moved to make way for storage

Storage Gain
The change required him to build a new doorframe and install a new door, but here’s what he gained:

  • 3 sq. ft. of additional floor space.
  • Bathroom access to the hallway closet (since its entrance was included within the new square footage.)
  • Extra wall space for built-in storage.

Tim built the shelving using bead board and wood. To see how it was done, check out his tutorial.  

Project Costs

Tim’s wife Marty says they spent around $150. This includes the doorframe, new doors (the closet door got an upgrade, too), and the materials for the built-in shelving.

Related: Putting Your Bathroom Cabinet in Order

Behind-the-Door Shelving

Vanessa from Tried & True came up with a smart storage solution for her kid’s room:

DIY kids bookcase in Tried & True's house

Storage Gain

She created narrow, floating bookshelves — that take up no space at all — behind her son’s bedroom door out of decorative molding. If you do the same, consider adding a doorstop to prevent dings and scratches when the door opens.

Vanessa’s tutorial includes a complete list of materials and tools needed for this project.

Project Costs

Estimated total is around $75. Price depends on the number and width of your shelves.

Related: Finding Storage Niches – Between Studs

Double-Duty Window Seating

Jessica, the blogger from Four Generations One Roof, says building a window seat that includes storage doesn’t need to be expensive.

  1. She used scrap wood left over from another project.
  2. Instead of buying expensive hardware and hinges, she and her father made wooden cleats to prevent the seat lid from slipping and make it extra sturdy for sitting. 

Here's the finished product:

DIY window seat in Four Generations One Roof's home

Storage Gain

The window seat gave her family room around 6 cubic feet of additional storage. To see how they built it, check out the tutorial

Project Costs

Jessica says she spent around $100. This Includes the value of the scrap wood, and the fabric used to upholster the seat.

Related: More Way-Cool Window Seats

A Home for Oversized Dishes

KariAnne, the blogger who pens Thistlewood Farms, used strips of wood and decorative molding to create the frame. She based the rack’s dimensions on the size of her plates.

DIY plate rack in Thistlewood Farms's house


Storage Gain

Since her finished project is 6 feet tall and more than 3 feet wide, she gained around 20 feet of storage space.  To see how KariAnne cooked up this project, check out her tutorial.

Project Costs

Plan to spend around $100. The actual price will depend on the size of your project and the type of molding you choose.

Related: Great Ideas to Wrangle that Mess Under Your Kitchen Sink Once and For All

Deirdre Sullivan bio photo
Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an NYC-based writer who's obsessed with maximizing every inch of her urban dwelling. She's a former fashionista who has worked for Lucky Magazine and InStyle. She recently traded her high heels and Fashion Week pass for a drill and bandsaw. Follow Deirdre on Twitter, and Pinterest.