Hidden Treasure: 12 Things to Do With Wasted Space Around the House
Be inspired by these creative nooks and crannies that have won the space race
If you’re dreaming of a secluded home office, a cosy reading nook, a wine cellar or a dedicated place for the kids to do their homework, the solution may be right under your nose.
Be inspired by these 12 creative schemes that have taken back the space that is rightfully theirs, transforming wasted areas into something useful and even spectacular.
Be inspired by these 12 creative schemes that have taken back the space that is rightfully theirs, transforming wasted areas into something useful and even spectacular.
2. Hang a garden inside
No garden? No problem. With terrariums, vivariums and maintenance-free succulents all the rage, you can pretty much create a garden anywhere these days – even if it’s hanging from the sky.
No garden? No problem. With terrariums, vivariums and maintenance-free succulents all the rage, you can pretty much create a garden anywhere these days – even if it’s hanging from the sky.
3. Design a home office
If you’ve always wanted a place to cook the books, pull out an old cupboard or take out unused shelving and give that alcove the purpose it deserves.
Find out how to make your work space work into any room of the house
If you’ve always wanted a place to cook the books, pull out an old cupboard or take out unused shelving and give that alcove the purpose it deserves.
Find out how to make your work space work into any room of the house
4. Add a foldaway bed
For the ultimate multipurpose home office, install a built-in foldaway bed in wasted cupboard space and, hey presto! You now have a guest bedroom.
For the ultimate multipurpose home office, install a built-in foldaway bed in wasted cupboard space and, hey presto! You now have a guest bedroom.
5. Dig a cellar
If you need to ask why this is worth having, perhaps it isn’t the hidden treasure for you.
More: Wonderful Wine Cellars to Suit Every Taste
If you need to ask why this is worth having, perhaps it isn’t the hidden treasure for you.
More: Wonderful Wine Cellars to Suit Every Taste
6. Tuck in a corner sofa
All praise the corner sofa. If you have a void space, the best thing you can do is add comfy seating – you’d be adding an extra room to the house and people tend to gravitate to a cosy corner no matter what the size.
All praise the corner sofa. If you have a void space, the best thing you can do is add comfy seating – you’d be adding an extra room to the house and people tend to gravitate to a cosy corner no matter what the size.
7. Build a homework station
The space under the stairs is rife with opportunity, it may even encourage the kids to do their sums before dinnertime.
The space under the stairs is rife with opportunity, it may even encourage the kids to do their sums before dinnertime.
8. Add wall cupboards
Bedroom storage doesn’t have to involve huge, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. The often wasted space above your bedside table can be a practical place to add cupboards for out-of-season outfits. Choose a design that matches your side tables to create a feature your bed will be proud to be part of.
Bedroom storage doesn’t have to involve huge, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. The often wasted space above your bedside table can be a practical place to add cupboards for out-of-season outfits. Choose a design that matches your side tables to create a feature your bed will be proud to be part of.
9. Create a home bar
If your balcony is home to only a surfboard and a breathless plant, perhaps it’s time to make the most of it. Bring out the barbecue and some herb containers for a kitchen garden in the sky, or add a fridge, a glass or two, and invite friends over for cocktail hour.
More: Big Ideas for Small Urban Balconies
If your balcony is home to only a surfboard and a breathless plant, perhaps it’s time to make the most of it. Bring out the barbecue and some herb containers for a kitchen garden in the sky, or add a fridge, a glass or two, and invite friends over for cocktail hour.
More: Big Ideas for Small Urban Balconies
10. Storage, storage, everywhere!
The space above and beside a doorway can be priceless. Try a custom shelving solution that keeps your books, ornaments or kitchenware happily on display.
The space above and beside a doorway can be priceless. Try a custom shelving solution that keeps your books, ornaments or kitchenware happily on display.
11. Transform a cupboard into a room of its own
So you don’t have your own laundry room or dedicated craft corner, but do you have a built-in cupboard? Take out unnecessary shelving, add a desk or chest of drawers to hip height and you could create anything from a sewing hub to a baby changing station (pictured).
So you don’t have your own laundry room or dedicated craft corner, but do you have a built-in cupboard? Take out unnecessary shelving, add a desk or chest of drawers to hip height and you could create anything from a sewing hub to a baby changing station (pictured).
12. Build in-stair storage
Make your stairs work their socks off by building drawers into the risers. Never again will you have to cull your family’s shoe collection.
Check out more clever storage ideas
MORE
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks To Expand Your Space
8 Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
Small Bathroom Ideas That Are Big on Style
Designs for Living: Cosy Breakfast Corners
TELL US
Have you spotted some valuable wasted space in your home? What have you done with it? Share it with us in the comments section below and remember to send in your high-resolution photos.
Make your stairs work their socks off by building drawers into the risers. Never again will you have to cull your family’s shoe collection.
Check out more clever storage ideas
MORE
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks To Expand Your Space
8 Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
Small Bathroom Ideas That Are Big on Style
Designs for Living: Cosy Breakfast Corners
TELL US
Have you spotted some valuable wasted space in your home? What have you done with it? Share it with us in the comments section below and remember to send in your high-resolution photos.
Often one bench seat can be worth more than a hundred non-functioning shelves in an alcove. Team with a comfy seat cushion for a cosy nook to perch.