14 Clever Storage Solutions From Best of Houzz Winners
We need storage space in every room, but can it be both practical and attractive? Our pros show you how
If there’s one thing the world’s homeowners can agree on, it’s that smart storage solutions are game-changers in everyday life. These examples from the 2023 Best of Houzz Design winners show just how clever and beautiful they can be.
2. Unity Through Color, Bachmann Interior Design, France
This corner of a boy’s room in a Parisian flat cleverly incorporates a built-in desk with shelves and drawers, visually tied together by a dusty green that is accented by leather cabinet pulls.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
This corner of a boy’s room in a Parisian flat cleverly incorporates a built-in desk with shelves and drawers, visually tied together by a dusty green that is accented by leather cabinet pulls.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
3. Three-in-One Solution, FV2 Architektur GmbH, Germany
The built-in furniture not only provides storage space for books and a cozy reading nook, but it also serves as a room divider that can be closed with sliding elements. This way, the bedroom can be completely separated when needed.
Shop for storage products on Houzz
The built-in furniture not only provides storage space for books and a cozy reading nook, but it also serves as a room divider that can be closed with sliding elements. This way, the bedroom can be completely separated when needed.
Shop for storage products on Houzz
4. Hiding the Dressing Table Mess, All & Nxthing, England
In this London bedroom, custom closets are fitted on either side of a chimney breast, while the shallow central area hosts a neat vanity area complete with shelves, stool, and mirror. Big plus: Folding doors hide all the odds and ends when not in use.
In this London bedroom, custom closets are fitted on either side of a chimney breast, while the shallow central area hosts a neat vanity area complete with shelves, stool, and mirror. Big plus: Folding doors hide all the odds and ends when not in use.
5. Secret Door Bookcase, M&B Design Srls, Italy
These secret doors add a magic element to the room — what looks like a classic bookcase opens in the middle to reveal a room. The frameless pivot doors rotate around an axis instead of hanging on classic hinges.
These secret doors add a magic element to the room — what looks like a classic bookcase opens in the middle to reveal a room. The frameless pivot doors rotate around an axis instead of hanging on classic hinges.
6. Small Storage Unit Sets the Scene, a-typic | Chloé Vallo, France
Sometimes, there is no room for a dedicated hall and coat cupboard. In this apartment in Dijon, color defines a tiny dressing area with angled shelves and a box for utensils.
Sometimes, there is no room for a dedicated hall and coat cupboard. In this apartment in Dijon, color defines a tiny dressing area with angled shelves and a box for utensils.
7. Hidden Walk-In Closet, Cicerone Group, Spain
When closed, this looks like an ordinary closet. But when opened, the large wooden folding doors reveal a spacious and warm walk-in dressing area with plenty of storage space.
When closed, this looks like an ordinary closet. But when opened, the large wooden folding doors reveal a spacious and warm walk-in dressing area with plenty of storage space.
8. Efficient Laundry Setup, Mooney Furniture & Design, Ireland
This practical laundry unit features eye-level machines for easy access, with hamper drawers underneath and a handy pull-out platform to place the basket on or use as a folding station.
This practical laundry unit features eye-level machines for easy access, with hamper drawers underneath and a handy pull-out platform to place the basket on or use as a folding station.
9. Outdoor Fireplace With Built-In Storage, Quill, New Zealand
A single outdoor fireplace or a fire pit is a lovely addition to an outdoor area but this space shows the potential for adding extra convenience, including a handy storage spot for firewood and open shelving for the inevitable blankets one needs for a New Zealand winter. The top shelf also allows for decoration, tying the interior aesthetic to the adjacent outdoor area.
A single outdoor fireplace or a fire pit is a lovely addition to an outdoor area but this space shows the potential for adding extra convenience, including a handy storage spot for firewood and open shelving for the inevitable blankets one needs for a New Zealand winter. The top shelf also allows for decoration, tying the interior aesthetic to the adjacent outdoor area.
10. Maximizing Storage Under the Roof, design: Heger & Cie. - Die Häusermanufaktur, construction: Schreinerei & Möbelmanufaktur Mayr, Germany
In an attic with mainly sloping walls, it can be difficult to create enough storage space. To help, this wardrobe uses the basic principles of an apothecary cabinet to create clothes storage. The angled units are easy to roll out, as they’re on castors, and when closed they have a minimalist design.
In an attic with mainly sloping walls, it can be difficult to create enough storage space. To help, this wardrobe uses the basic principles of an apothecary cabinet to create clothes storage. The angled units are easy to roll out, as they’re on castors, and when closed they have a minimalist design.
11. Multipurpose Kitchen Island With Laptop Storage, Rogue Home Interiors, United States
This walnut kitchen island doubles as the homeowners’ office workstation, so designer Melinda Woodruff added a slim shelf under the quartz countertop for storing a laptop and other materials. Sockets at the back allow the owners to charge their devices. Drawers on one end hold papers and other supplies.
This walnut kitchen island doubles as the homeowners’ office workstation, so designer Melinda Woodruff added a slim shelf under the quartz countertop for storing a laptop and other materials. Sockets at the back allow the owners to charge their devices. Drawers on one end hold papers and other supplies.
12. Space-Savvy Design for a Kid’s Room, Kirsten Johnstone Architecture, Australia
The window seat has storage drawers underneath and flows seamlessly into a desk with overhead cabinets. Floor-to-ceiling built-in closets include double-height hangers, drawers, shoe storage and shelves, ensuring there is a place for everything in this kid’s room.
The window seat has storage drawers underneath and flows seamlessly into a desk with overhead cabinets. Floor-to-ceiling built-in closets include double-height hangers, drawers, shoe storage and shelves, ensuring there is a place for everything in this kid’s room.
13. Functional Appliances’ Hideout, Tandem Studio, Germany
This custom corner cabinet elegantly conceals the washing machine and dryer. It also provides space up to the ceiling for towels and other bathroom items. The oak slat construction — closed at the top and bottom, but with gaps in the middle — allows sufficient ventilation for the appliances.
This custom corner cabinet elegantly conceals the washing machine and dryer. It also provides space up to the ceiling for towels and other bathroom items. The oak slat construction — closed at the top and bottom, but with gaps in the middle — allows sufficient ventilation for the appliances.
14. Staircase Storage, Mon Concept Habitation, France
These pull-out cabinets maximize the use of space under the staircase by allowing easy access to the full depth of the cupboard while maintaining a clear view of stored items.
More on Houzz
Read more about storage design
Find a contractor
Shop for home products
These pull-out cabinets maximize the use of space under the staircase by allowing easy access to the full depth of the cupboard while maintaining a clear view of stored items.
More on Houzz
Read more about storage design
Find a contractor
Shop for home products
Storage that has an additional function is a double win, especially for a family with four children, as in this example. The window seat and storage combination is just one of several built-in solutions in this aptly named Peekaboo House.
Find a cabinetmaker near you