A wall of built-in storage makes efficient use of space in this family home.

“A mudroom should be a pretty space,” says designer Brian Gluckstein. “If it’s designed well, it shouldn’t look messy.” This mudroom is accessed from the side of the house, and a glass door lets in plenty of natural light. The floors are hardy limestone. Gluckstein incorporated a bench within a wall of built-in storage that includes two closets for kids’ coats and sports equipment.

Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Organized Family Homes.

Hooks at varying heights make it easy for kids to keep an entryway tidy.

“Small investments can yield a lot,” says Montreal blogger Kim Vallée. “This family invested $85 in supplies and 10 hours of work to transform their builder-basic entrance. Now they have a beautiful, neat entryway that meets the needs of a family with young children. Hooks at a kid-friendly height and the picture railing for children’s artwork make the space livable and practical.”

See more of blogger Kim Vallée’s favourite spaces in our photo gallery and get more ideas for organized family homes.

Painted furniture adds a pretty pop of colour.

In this mudroom, a kelly green painted bench stores shoes and outerwear. Wire baskets, wall hooks and a dry erase board kicks organization up a notch.

A convenient spot for kids to do their homework.

Drawers below hold office supplies, while overhead storage conceals a printer and serving pieces. The ottoman tucks out of the way when not in use.

An oversized chalkboard keeps memos and events organized in the hub of the home.

“Young children love to hang out in the kitchen,” says Montreal blogger Kim Vallée. “My advice to parents is to incorporate a space where kids can play. Here a Copenhagen designer couple squeezed an inviting play area into their busy kitchen/dining area to meet the needs of their toddler son.”

See more of blogger Kim Vallée’s favourite spaces in our photo gallery and check out more ideas for organized family homes.

Banquette seating with storage drawers works well in small spaces.

Chef Trish Magwood’s children, Olivia and Findlay, spend hours at the antique drafting table that acts as the family’s dining table. The long banquette features spacious storage drawers below for table linens and art supplies. “We can really pack kids in here,” says Trish with a laugh, as her home is often the gathering place for her own extended family, a well as husband Bryce’s.

See more of chef Trish Magwood’s home in our photo gallery and check out more organized family homes.

Books, puzzles and games make for a colourful display in a family room.

In this contemporary home by architect David Zacharko, the open shelving behind the living room’s big sectional was designed with beauty and brains: it houses loads of books, puzzles and games, plus cubbies to show off select vases. Lightweight bamboo shelves add a natural touch and keep the white from looking sterile, while bright pillows add colour.

See more organized family homes in our photo gallery.

Felt and metal bins keep toys organized.

Instead of the usual plastic stackable bins or wicker baskets, opt for fun mismatched containers to sort books, toys and stuffed animals. Stroll flea markets or garage sales for vintage pails and buckets that will add character to a kid’s play room.

To learn how to craft felt pillows like these, watch our Online TV DIY segment.

For more storage tips, see our Organizing Kids’ Play & Work Spaces photo gallery and have a look at these organized family homes.

Drawer pulls make perfect wall hooks.

Stack cubes and crates to create cubbies for books, toys and collectibles. Combine new and used in a mix of materials, from weathered wood to glossy white plastic, for a cool, curated look. Secure boxes to the wall with nails or screws, then place heavier items on the bottom rows and lighter knickknacks up top.

Get more decorating inspiration in our Trendy Kids’ Bedroom Ideas photo gallery.

Wood panelled drawers and cupboards keep toys and clothing out of sight.

The two architects behind Toronto firm Studio Junction designed their home with functionality and the environment in mind. This modern bedroom and playroom for their two preschool-aged children keeps stowed items behind seamless Douglas fir panels. Shelves above the bed display storybooks, and high-up storage cupboards offer a perfect spot for out-of-season clothing. A bold rug adds a fun pop of colour to the sleek space.

See more photos, or take a virtual tour through this award-winning Courtyard House.

For more storage tips, see our Organizing Kids’ Play & Work Spaces photo gallery or check out more organized family homes.

Built-in shelving can transition to a home office when kids leave home.

Consider a timeless palette and custom storage in a child’s or teen’s bedroom so that the room can grow with them. Toy storage can become textbook storage. Include space for stationery, books and a large desktop surface, plus areas for displaying framed photos and tacking up drawings and schedules.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Organizing Kids’ Play & Work Spaces and Organized Family Homes.

A spacious laundry area with plenty of storage.

When renovating their Burnaby, B.C. home, these homeowners didn’t want the ironing board cluttering one of the busiest rooms in the house. Instead, they hid a compact fold-away ironing board in a custom drawer for a more streamlined look.

Clever storage solutions keep supplies tidy for easy access.

Designer Kelly Deck transformed a spare bedroom into a sunny craft room for this VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation lottery house. Work surfaces are kept free of clutter with a generous bank of stylish storage bins and a practical rod-and-cup system on the wall keeps art supplies out of the way but within easy reach.

See more organized family homes in our photo gallery.

A simple corkboard in a shared space keeps the whole family organized.

Pin reminders, schedules or inspirational words onto a corkboard that can serve as a family information hub. An alternative to digital reminders, a corkboard is a tactile approach that adds visual appeal.

A basement corner makes a perfect work or craft area.

This bright office chair is actually part of a dining set of four, so the homeowners can snatch it back when entertaining. The desk was constructed out of two Pottery Barn filing cabinets and an inexpensive Ikea counter. Open shelving above keeps books and magazine accessible, and simple white boxes conceal clutter.

Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Organized Family Homes.

An awkward space with added storage.

In Tanya Linton’s home, every spare nook is used for extra storage. With two small boys running around, baskets are ideal for hiding toys and knickknacks. In a small corner, a stack of books and magazines doubles as a side table to a painted chair.

See more of this house in our Stylish Family Home Makeover photo gallery. For more ideas, see our Organized Family Homes photo gallery and Budget Basement Decorating Tips photo gallery.

Awkward nooks make the perfect spot for added shelves.

On the left, a top ledge adds the perfect finishing touch to a tub. On the right, glossy, wipeable doors, and interior shelves and drawers, create a great storage unit for a family with kids.

For more design and decorating ideas, browse our Budget Bathroom Makeover photo gallery, or see a video tour of this bathroom in our Online TV segment. To see more great storage ideas, check out our Organized Family Homes photo gallery.