Hide & Seek

For many of us, January and the fresh promise of a new year brings with it a desire to reboot, create a clean slate, and get organized for the year ahead of us.  But on the heels of the holidays with their ensuing accumulations from the season of conspicuous consumption, we often find ourselves with more “stuff” and no more places to put it.  As my Dad used to say, trying to cram ten pounds of stuff into a five pound bag. 

We like to lead into the holidays with the phrase “what do you give the person who has everything?  A place to put it.” But for those of us who weren’t gifted with a new custom closet, pantry or garage for Christmas, we’re left to find creative ways to store our earthly possessions.  Enter hidden storage. 

Incorporating hidden storage into your home design is a savvy way to maintain a clean and organized living space while maximizing functionality. Hidden storage can cleverly conceal everyday items, reduce clutter, and enhance the aesthetic of your home. Whether you’re redesigning your closet, pantry, or laundry room, integrating hidden storage options can significantly improve both the efficiency and style of your space. Here’s how.

Custom Closets with Hidden Features

A well-designed closet not only stores your clothes but also reflects your personal style. Custom closets with hidden storage solutions can transform an ordinary closet into an organized, functional space.

• Pull-Out Drawers: Incorporate pull-out drawers within your closet design to keep accessories, shoes, and smaller items neatly organized and out of sight. These drawers can be integrated into custom cabinetry or under hanging rods, making it easy to access your belongings while maintaining a tidy appearance.
• Built-In Hampers: Include built-in hampers within your closet cabinetry for laundry or dry cleaning. These can be discreetly hidden behind cabinet doors or pull-out panels, keeping dirty laundry out of sight and maintaining a clean look.
• Hidden Jewelry Storage: Design custom closet drawers or compartments specifically for jewelry and small accessories. These compartments can be lined with soft materials and fitted with dividers to keep items organized and protected.  We also like to utilize the space under the bottom deck of our built-ins for hidden jewelry storage. 

Secret Pantry Solutions

A well-organized pantry is essential for an efficient kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be visually cluttered. Hidden storage solutions can optimize pantry space and enhance its functionality.

• Concealed Cabinets: Use custom cabinetry with concealed doors to hide pantry shelves and storage areas. These cabinets can blend seamlessly with the surrounding kitchen design, making your pantry accessible yet discreet.
• Pull-Out Pantry Shelves: Install pull-out pantry shelves or racks that can be hidden behind cabinetry doors. These shelves provide easy access to pantry items while keeping them neatly organized and out of sight when not in use. Our friends at Shelf Genie are geniuses with custom pull-outs!  I’m obsessed!
• Recessed Shelving: Consider recessed shelving or cabinets that are built into the walls of your pantry. This hidden storage allows you to maximize wall space without sacrificing accessibility.
• Reclaim unused vacant space:  In my home, we recently reclaimed the vacant real estate under our stairs to build out a custom pantry.  I went from having a 30x20” stack of shelves between studs, to a 4x8’ room with gorgeous sliding barn doors.

Innovative Cabinet Designs

Custom cabinets are a versatile solution for integrating hidden storage throughout your home. Innovative cabinet designs can help you make the most of every inch of available space.

• Toe-Kick Drawers: Utilize the space beneath your cabinets by incorporating toe-kick drawers. These drawers, located just above the floor, can store items like baking sheets, cleaning supplies, or small kitchen appliances, keeping them out of sight but easily accessible.
• Lift-Up Cabinet Doors: For cabinets located above countertops, consider lift-up doors that open upward rather than outward. This design can conceal items like small kitchen gadgets or frequently used utensils while providing a sleek, clutter-free appearance.
• Hidden Compartments: Custom cabinets can be designed with hidden compartments, such as secret drawers or retractable shelves. These compartments can be used to store valuables, small electronics, or items you want to keep out of sight.

Design Considerations for Hidden Storage

When incorporating hidden storage into your home design, keep the following considerations in mind:

• Accessibility: Ensure that hidden storage solutions are practical and easy to access. The goal is to keep items concealed while still allowing for convenient use.
• Aesthetics: Choose hidden storage options that complement the overall design of your home. Storage solutions should blend seamlessly with your decor while providing functional benefits. Another real life example in my home is a redo of our laundry “closet” that was unfortunately built in 1978 in.the.kitchen.  With giant double doors that opened into the kitchen, it was impossible to work around and threw the whole room off balance.  We ripped the closet out and removed the doors and door facing, stacking our washer and dryer to free up 2/3 of the closet for new custom cabinets with pull-out shelves and a hidden ironing board and hamper to keep the area totally functional but give the façade of a wall of built in cabinets.  This also allowed us to utilize the full vertical space of the closet.  It’s amazing.
• Functionality: Consider the types of items you need to store and design hidden storage solutions that accommodate those needs. Custom solutions should enhance your home’s functionality and organization.

Playing hide and seek with extra space can be a tricky but worthwhile endeavor.  Think outside the box and re-envision the space planning of your home.  You might be surprised at what nooks and crannies may be underutilized or hidden altogether.