Storage Solutions: Using Vertical Space

Vertical space is often unused space. Take a slow walk around your house; observe the vertical space available in each room, including bathrooms and closets. Think about each room, and take note of places where you think the room could benefit from additional storage using the available vertical space. What does each room need, or how could each room benefit, from the increased use of space? Using vertical space is great for spaces like high rises or small kitchens, where going “up” with cabinetry is beneficial for additional storage, particularly if you do not have a lot of closet space, or a basement, attic, or garage.

We have some ideas to help you get organized and create additional storage. Using texture and color, and a creative eye, helps you solve storage problems without sacrificing style.

More than meets the eye

You can store items practically in plain sight with just a few tweaks, using doors and drawers. For example:

• Add certain inserts like tray dividers to make higher storage areas more efficient.

• Wall pockets on an office door can be used for unsorted mail, unprocessed papers, and anything else you haven’t addressed; this keeps your desk uncluttered, and focused only on the work you are engaged in at any given moment.

• Door hooks and hangers can be used to hang towels, robes, umbrellas, hats, coats, and sweaters.

Functional and decorative are not mutually exclusive

We sometimes have a tendency to want to hide away our belongings when we store them, but putting them on display—done the right way—can create a unique design and solve storage problems.

• In the kitchen, a hanging rack for pots and pans above an island can do triple duty: it puts the most beautiful cooking utensils on display as decorations, frees up cabinet storage, and makes access easier on the back and knees—a simple way to implement a transgenerational design element.

• Shelving with decorative baskets—wood, canvas, rattan—plays “peek-a-boo” with belongings: your dog leash, outerwear, incoming mail, etc. are “hidden” but also in plain sight; baskets become a design element as well as a storage solution. Play with the colors and textures of the baskets to create visual interest; for example, using a different color on the top shelf. This works for installed, closed cabinetry as well.

• Consider using open shelving for easier access and display opportunities. You can store things openly, but change it up by adding baskets later if you need to “hide” things to reorganize them.

• Floating shelves can help you create an open look as well as easy access.

Are you interested in creating additional storage and a new design aesthetic in your home through the use of vertical space? New cabinetry can help you do it! Stop in and see our Cabinets and Designs showroom, and talk to one of our designers about how to marry form and function using the unused vertical space in your home.