Make The Most of Awkward Spaces By Adding Built-Ins

Have you found your almost dream house, but there’s just one small catch holding you back? If lack of storage space is preventing you from placing your bid don’t write that house off just yet. If you’re willing to put in some work to your new house I’ve got some creative solutions that can help you look at your space in a new way. Here are five “faux” built-in ideas to add to your home to leverage precious space out of those “awkward” corners and empty walls.

1. Build a bookcase along the wall of a staircase. If you have an empty wall created by a staircase you can create a one-of-a-kind bookcase to store books, movies, and knick-knacks. This is a perfect solution for those walls that are too small to place furniture in front of but too large to go unused.

2. Utilize any alcoves. If your home comes with any alcoves, consider yourself lucky! These can make for a great spot to tuck in a built-in desk and provide plenty of room for overhead shelving to store books as well as office and school supplies. If an office nook isn’t your cup of tea you could also easily turn this space into a crafting corner for scrapbooking or sewing. 

3. Turn a dead-end hallway into a useful and inviting space. A dead-end hallway that leads to a window may add lots of light to a home but it can also be an awkward place for furniture. Depending on the size of the space you could add a linen storage that doubles as a small window seat. 

4. Create a welcoming mudroom that acts as a catch-all for your family's shoes and outerwear. Add a wall-length bench with room to store shoes underneath and hooks for jackets and bags overhead. You can add a shelf over the hooks for even more storage (think sports equipment and outdoor toys). Get creative with molding and shiplap for a one-of-a-kind addition to your home that looks original to the house. 

5. If a room lacks a closet, add your own. This solution is only limited by your imagination. You can either pick up a kit or go completely DIY.  Many stores, such as Ikea, offer floor-to-ceiling closet kits, these are usually sleek and modern with sliding doors. Alternatively, you can come up with your custom design that stretches a wall, fills a corner, or juts out and creates an alcove for you to fit a bed or desk into. This is another project that with the addition of millwork will look seamless and original to the home. 

When a couple finds their dream home it doesn’t always guarantee it’s a 100 percent perfect fit for their lifestyle. More often than not they usually find themselves with a list of changes they would like to make that will turn their new house into a well-loved home. If your new home doesn’t have a lot of storage options don’t forget that you can easily add your own with a little creativity and elbow grease!