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DIY Solutions to Maximize Vertical Space in Every Room
Updated on Dec. 19, 2023
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Think Vertically
If the square footage of your home has you feeling boxed in, it’s time to raise your sights — literally. DIY vertical storage projects and solutions can help you unlock hidden storage space in every room of your house.
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Garage
The garage is one of the most clutter-prone spots in your home. Building a customized garage storage wall lets you create exactly the storage you need to fit your stuff. Or get things completely out of the way with an overhead DIY garage ceiling sliding storage system.
If you prefer to go pre-made here, check out this garage wall storage solution with metal pegboards that allows you to use slotted brackets, hooks and shelves as well as magnetic accessories. It comes in lots of great colors, too.
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Foyer/Entry
Even the smallest entryway can be transformed into an effective and organized mudroom with vertical storage. Building mudroom lockers allows you to stash lots of gear out of sight in a cabinet that looks good enough to put in a front hallway. Or go for a hardworking hall tree with storage bench with an updated look to match your decor. Check out these beautifully designed layout and organization solutions for your mudroom laundry room combination space.
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Living Room
The living or family room is a great place to follow the organizing principle of using open shelving as decor by displaying your favorite items. Classic floor-to-ceiling bookcases use every inch of vertical space, and a built-in ladder makes everything easy to access.
For a smaller project that’s trending now, make a ladder that serves as a shelf, or look for a pre-built leaning ladder shelf with a finish that matches your decor.
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Kitchen
Your kitchen likely already has overhead cabinets, but are you using them to their full advantage? Adding a DIY bottle rack below your cabinets is just one way you can free up countertops by mounting easy-to-reach storage under your cabinets.
To make the most of your top shelves and over-cabinet areas, invest in an anti-slip foldable kitchen ladder that stores easily when not in use. It will help keep that high-up space accessible!
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Dining Area
With a dedicated dining room, the entire space can be wasted if you aren’t in the habit of hosting formal dinners. Consider building a DIY Murphy bed and bookcase, which turns your dining room into an entertaining space or home office by day and pull double-duty as a guest room at night. (This DIY Murphy bed/desk option would clearly define it as an office.)
For a small eating area, try a space-saving table with storage shelves built right into the table legs.
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Bathroom
Building a bathroom cabinet between wall studs — like a medicine cabinet on steroids — extends bathroom storage without extending into your space. An over-the-toilet rack, or étagère, is another popular solution for creating storage out of wasted space.
A freestanding bathroom organizer, including a toilet paper holder and hooks, offers extra functionality without added drilling.
In the kids’ bathroom, a mesh organizer with multiple pockets can store bath toys and toiletries in one simple, quick-drying solution.
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Bedroom
Avoid a rude awakening or possible serious injury by storing anything directly over your bed. Instead, make the most of the space over your bureau. (Tip: You can repurpose a desk organizer on top of a dresser.) Or try some DIY closet storage updates that maximize interior vertical storage and keep clutter out.
Install a wall sconce to free up your bedside table. Or try this narrow nightstand with a built-in lamp and lots of storage for an all-in-one solution.
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Laundry Room
A lot happens in a laundry room’s small space. To help it all unfold, make the most of wall space that usually goes to waste by building slim behind-the-door shelves to store cleaning supplies without crowding or tipping.
The space over your washer and dryer is another must-use piece of real estate for shelves, a flip-down laundry folding table or a freestanding laundry room shelf unit.
