Viewer Question: I must renovate due to a small house fire and would like to have more storage added in my basement family room. Can you offer some suggestions?
Answer:
I suggest using the end of the long narrow room to build out an extra-deep, wall-to-wall storage cupboard. Use sliding paneled doors to hide the storage as they do not swing-out into the room (which takes up space). Adding storage to the long walls would make the overall space narrower which isn't good for the proportions of a room. This lesson is also good to remember if you are considering adding built-ins to a long, narrow family or bedroom.
If you look around each room of your home you are bound to find areas that can offer up some easy and simple additional storage. Under the bed, above a door, inside our furniture and on top of cabinets are a few places where you can take advantage of unused space.
Foyer:
Go up and hang hooks for bags, coats and hats. Add a narrow storage bench to hide mittens, scarves and shoes.
Kitchen:
Add storage containers above your cupboards (in years past this is where dried flowers and vines would be displayed). Add a repetition of simple items like painted ginger jars or square wicker baskets. Having 3 or 5 of the same items in a row will look organized and less cluttered that a collection of unmatched items on display.
Bedroom:
- Under bed storage boxes: you can achieve 4-6 dresser drawers of storage by using low storage boxes under the bed. Use the Underbed Storage Bag to store wrapping paper and supplies, seasonal decorations, or off-season clothing. Organize and stow children's artwork, or backup toiletries and paper products.
- Bed Lifts: Add an additional 3-4 inches of under bed storage height. Not only will you gain under bed storage, you will create a "Princess And The Pea' effect with an extra-hight bed!
- Hanging storage on the inside of closet doors will help keep things like purses, jewelry, and laundry off the floor.
Family room:
Look for furniture that offers comfort and storage; leather ottoman cubes are a great example, but you can also find comfy sofas and chair styles that offer storage under the seat cushion.
Dining room:
Skirting a console table to the flloor enables you to hide and storage items under the tablecloth. Displaying containers above your china cabinet helps to add height to the cabinet and store out of season entertaining items.
Bathroom:
Hang a shelf above the bathroom door, use a cool pocketed shower curtain to hold stuff, of course the above-the-toilet cabinets are invaluable and the popular double hotel racks help to lift things up off the vanity.
Laundry room:
An industrial style rolling rack can help hang clothes to dry on laundry day, and offer additional coat storage during parties.
**All products featured on the show are from: Bed, Bath & Beyond stores or online at
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