Make The Most of Awkward Spaces By Adding Built-Ins

by JULIE LITTLE BREWER 12/10/2017

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 a five “faux” built-in idea 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 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 provides 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 own 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!

About the Author
Author

JULIE LITTLE BREWER

 Welcome to my website, your number one source for Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Real Estate, Jacksonville Beach, FL Real Estate, Atlantic Beach, FL Real Estate, Nocatee, FL Real Estate, Neptune Beach, FL Real Estate, Jacksonville, FL Real Estate, and surrounding towns. 

Designations for Julie Little Brewer include: 2011 Platinum Club; 2012 Platinum Club; 2013 Platinum Club; 2014 Platinum Club; 2015 Chairmans Club; 2016 Chairmans Club; 2017 Chairmans Club; 2018 Chairmans Club; 2019 Chairmans Club; RE/Max Hall of Fame RE/Max LifeTime Achievement