Clear Up the Entryway
Keep the foyer uncomplicated. The simplest entry halls, such as this one by designer Peter Dunham, provide a place to temporarily set packages down and some seating for pulling off foul-weather gear.
Work with Height
Add tall shelves to take advantage of every available space. This office by architect David Mann also functions as a library, where custom shelving units provide enough space for books, photos, and decorative pieces.
Make Over a Closet
Get creative with storage options. Interior designer Melissa Warner converted a spare bedroom into an office. She wallpapered the sliding closet doors, giving the room instant color and patterns — and a place to stash supplies.
Take Advantage of an Antique
Add in a decorative storage piece that also serves a purpose. In interior designer Megan Rice Yager’s kitchen, this antique French Norman buffet not only provides a hallmark centerpiece for a country kitchen, it also doubles as a bar. The exposed shelving shows off an assortment of glassware, and the bottom cabinets conceal less attractive items.
Show Off Your Dishware
Prevent kitchen disorganization, don’t hide it! Glass-front cabinets provide great incentives for forcing you — and your family — to be organized, like in this kitchen by designer Daniel Sachs.
Use Creative Containers
Make food preparation easier. Photographer Lisa Cohen added a chopping block to her kitchen island, then tucked baskets underneath for onions, garlic, and potatoes. The baskets add texture and visual interest while keeping order.
Create a Home Office
An office does not have to be complicated; it just has to fit your needs. A simple desk, a spot for the laptop, and a comfortable chair may be all that’s required. Designer Carolyn Espley-Miller shares this office (and the incredible view) with her husband.
Make More Room
Mount shelves on the wall. Interior designer Lindsey Bond eliminated the need for more furniture in this modern media room by installing a low shelf on either side of the fireplace.
Hide It Away
Pick pieces with flexibility. Designer Marshall Watson chose matching white ottomans to go by the hearth. They offer extra seating, plus double as storage because the tops turn over to become trays.
Switch Up Seasonal Clothing
Seasonal items, from guest bed linens to winter clothes, need to be rotated in and out of long-term storage. Integrate handsome hideaways for these items, rather than just stuffing them in any available space. This green and white bedroom by designer Tom Stringer has a large built-in cabinet.
Beyond the Bed
Keep clothing and accessories off of the bed, but gain extra surface space using a bench at the foot, like in this bedroom by design consultant Smith Hanes. It serves as a place to stash reading material or extra blankets and pillows.
Smart Storage
Keeping towels off the floor of the bathroom (and other rooms) requires a spot for dry, clean towels and those that are ready for the laundry. In this bath by Hanes, clean towels fit neatly under the sink in baskets.
Be Fancy
Incorporate furniture pieces into the bathroom and the space becomes a welcome space to relax, as designer Windsor Smith has done in this Los Angeles home. “I love bathrooms that feel like rooms rather than just a place to bathe,” she says. A George III-style secretary bookcase by Robert & Robert takes the place of a traditional built-in vanity and adds ample storage space.
