Our home was built in 1976. That’s one year younger than my aged-like-fine-wine husband. {The fine wine part makes up for my divulging said age.} That means that true to form with older homes in the day, it didn’t come with much square footage or storage space. We’ve now doubled our square footage, so we had to make thoughtful decisions as we went along. I’m breaking down storage ideas we’ve used for an older home. Here’s what we’ve used in each room: Storage Ideas for an Older Home
Storage Ideas for an Older Home: Great Room – Once upon a time, this space was four smaller rooms. So it needed to work hard for us if the ceilings and walls were coming down. No, it’s not the answer for every home, but this house called for it. How we intentionally added storage in this space actually happened over time while we worked on the rest of the house, too. So it was a slow burn. Here are the areas that have kicked in to work hard:
Kitchen: We added cabinetry, including an island with storage on the back side. Here, I keep things I don’t always need but can still access easily. We also added an additional cabinet after a little time had passed, on the right side near the dining table. So we basically have two cabinets serving as pantries. Next on that list is the organization of said pantries.
Open Shelving: I also added open shelving on the other side since the opening to our primary addition is on the left side, and I wanted a little balance in the space. I have a lot of glasses and dishes, so this just makes sense. It’s also fun to look at when arranged in a fun way, if you ask me.
Window seat: I wanted to keep this window in the kitchen, even though we later added it to the pool room. It helps keep this space light and bright in our home. We also decided to add a window seat underneath, so it provides additional seating in the kitchen, with storage. Here, we keep things like our crockpot, blender, and other big appliances that just don’t need to be out all the time but still require storage.
Sitting area: We divided the space into three small zones. We don’t have a lot of storage here because the other side of the space is more for dining and entertaining. But this one cabinet is a game changer, too. True story: I actually purchased this piece for my youngest’s space. But it didn’t fit. So, I designed some stained glass to go in it so that I could use it for real storage in the room. Don’t ever underestimate a good rehabbed piece of furniture for solid storage.
Now, it holds things for entertaining that were basically cluttering our pantries.
While I’m at it? Never underestimate the power of hiding that TV. {It also provides more wall space!} Check it out here.
Storage Ideas for an Older Home: Closets {Closets Closets}
– please tell me you get that reference.
Never underestimate the power of a good closet. We’ve expanded and added over the years in a few key ways:
Never underestimate the power of a good closet. We’ve expanded and added over the years in a few key ways:
Boys’ closets: Our boys’ closets were two smaller closets that were formerly back-to-back and hard to access. So we knocked out the wall between them, just like our old home, E.T. style. Yes, once upon a time, watching that classic movie with my kids inspired this move. Shelving was added, bigger doors made for easy access, and the rest is history. See more here.
Our Daughter’s Space: If you’ve been here for a while, you know that our house was a slow burn. A few summers ago, it was the summer of musical bedrooms, all of us moving around except our oldest, who was happy to stay put. The younger two shared a room for a while, and our middle eventually moved into our former room while we took the new primary suite. This means she gets her own bathroom while the other two share one in the hallway. But when we first renovated, we took a really tight closet and bathroom configuration that didn’t work for us.
Originally, it looked like this. That little hallway to the left, felt like wasted space. So we took it to this.
Me, posing like an actual psychopath because local septic made us wait so long to touch a bathroom. This gives you an idea of the actual size of that former closet. We expanded to both sides, and now the walk-through is through her actual closet to access the bath.
Here’s a glimpse of her bathroom before… and after. We gained a few feet in actual space but a lot more in storage. It was worth it. I said it once, and I’ll say it again:It’s amazing what a little change in configuration and materials can make. GPeek that bathroom here.
And more closets…
It definitely helped to spread out, and build closets in our own primary suite. Jamin has a smaller one on the other side of the hallway. But considering the fact that we shared our daughter’s smaller closet for 6+ years… this was a game changer.
And we added one to our basement. Smaller spaces may not seem like much, but anything you can create totally counts. Valuable real estate, friends.
Bathrooms: Back to bathrooms, tiny but mighty spaces matter, too.
And we added storage over the toilet in our primary bath… {I don’t have a “before”}
Many of our clients love this idea, too.
And our shared children’s bath got a glow up with valuable shelves added to the closet. It holds all the things. But what I love the most?
This wall was knocked back to become a valuable towel tower. Say it five times fast.
Storage Ideas for an Older Home: Built ins.
One of the most valuable places for storage in our house has been all the built-ins. There’s just something about making a piece a part of the house so that it feels oh-so seamless.
Basement: But back to the basement with that added closet, because that came later once we could move our laundry area back upstairs. In the meantime, one of the first things we did was add built-ins in multiple areas.
It’s truly incredible how much space this gave us for toys, games, books, entertainment items, and more.
One space that works particularly hard for us is the hall tree in our basement entry. This is our main door, so providing this holds all the things. Backpacks, shoes, and just about anything else you can think of. I can’t survive without a drop zone.
In my office, the same held true. These shelves hold samples, materials and things I need daily.
Tiny, and kind of a shoddy, realistic photo on a cloudy day, but it works hard.
We used the same idea in the pool room. This one holds dishes, styling materials, art supplies, and more.
This entire seating area under the windows holds storage underneath
{Again, with the whole useful furniture thing.}
And in our primary bedroom, this was also a game changer. Instead of opting for a dresser, which would take up valuable space, I designed a built-in to hold cabinets, drawers, a fireplace + hidden TV. Because sorry, not sorry… we love a good Modern Family moment before drifting off to sleep.
Storage Ideas for an Older Home: Laundry room + Butler’s Pantry
Is this the longest post ever? No. I know you’re no shocked I have longer. Is it trying to be? Yes.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t include our butler’s pantry and laundry room. When collaborating with our architect, we knew we needed to add these valuable spaces. This helped add some more storage with limited availability and opened up more space in our home. We used a combo of cabinetry, a built-in piece, shelving and an old piece of furniture to use much-needed storage here. It sure beats that old corner. Which was great… but not what our family of five needed.
Pssst… that’s a door to our crawlspace, where we keep all our Christmas decor. You can read all about pool storage here.
These are some of our favorite storage ideas for older homes! What are some of yours? We’d love to hear. Have an inspired day!
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