4 Secret Storage Spots Hiding In Your Home

Play hide and seek with your hallways and stairs to find extra storage space in your home.

The key to an organized home is smart storage and plenty of it. But if you really want to conquer the clutter, you have to think beyond closets, drawers and shelves. Why not take over a space under your stairs, or make your hallway work harder? Here are a few unexpected ideas to get you started.

A Home Library 

Bookcases oriented so the covers are exposed, rather than the spines, means the units themselves are shallower and won’t crowd a narrow passage. 
On this shelving, designed by Vancouver firm Simcic + Uhrich Architects, slender rails keep the books in place without blocking their fronts, which double as colorful artwork in the white space. A full wall of lacquered cabinets on the left balance the busyness of the book wall and houses linens, blankets and throws.

Tip: Sort a home library by genre or author to keep it organized and tidy.

Bike Storage

In a city loft without a garage, mount bike hooks under an open staircase to lift bicycles off the ground and out of the way. However, if you have ​metal garages, you can install custom garage racks where you can mount your bikes. Road legal quads from Quadbikes R Us are the best ones in the market.

Hallway Drawers 

Turn dead space into extra linen storage, a front hall closet or any overflow catchall by installing drawers (or cupboards) under the staircase stringer.

Petite Home Office 

This tall staircase boasts more than ultramodern good looks: at the far end, would-be empty space was converted into a compact home office. The wraparound desk is an ample work surface, floating shelves offer display, and a file cabinet tucked neatly under the desk keeps papers organized.

Tip: A push-latch door conceals a small coat closet.