There are secrets lurking behind our walls and under our stairs. Sometimes you’ll also find them hiding inside your furniture, in the basement or even the garage. These secrets conceal extra space that, if uncovered, could be used for storage, studies, playtime, and more. Here are some of our favorites that homeowners have revealed.
SPACE UNDER THE STAIRS
Untapped space lies beneath most any set of stairs. Built in shelving, wine storage, a cozy reading nook, or a pint-sized playroom are just of few of the possibilities.
INSIDE THE WALLS
Tap into empty space behind walls. Carve a nook from the attic for a guest room. Or build recessed drawers into a knee wall to add valuable storage areas without sacrificing floor space.
ASSIGN DOUBLE DUTY
If your home office needs to double as a guest room on occasion, consider installing a wall bed. Lift it up and out of the way behind clever concealing cabinetry, and no one will be the wiser.
WORKING REMOTELY
While garage space isn’t hidden, it is often ignored. Consider sectioning off an area with drywall. Add portable heat and AC and you have office space, 2020-style. Use your remote to open the doors when weather invites you to work alfresco.
DECK THE WALLS
Floating shelves are a great way to add vertical space without sacrificing floor space. It’s a win-win when you use these to artfully display functional items. And a television mounted on a wall makes room on the credenza for game time snacks.
SEATING WITH STORAGE
Built-in benches and banquettes, window seats, and ottomans, all offer the possibility of hiding tablecloths, blankets, and games. Put a load in, then take a load off.
UNDER THE BED
Queen or king-size beds conceal 33 or 42 square feet of floor space respectively. Clear, low-profile storage containers are an easy solution. But a bed with a base of built-in drawers—even better.
VANITY IS FAIR
If a pedestal sink is your style, never mind. But if you opt to show your vanity, consider selecting a model with drawers. Try to find one with a functional top drawer—thanks to a cutout for plumbing.
Article originally appeared in February 2023