12 Easy Hidden Storage Ideas That You Can Actually Pull Off

Whether you’re looking to make the most out of a small room or hoping to keep your belongings private from guests, there’s a good chance you could benefit from a little bit of extra storage. Bulky storage systems can clutter up a room, though, and many homeowners end up resorting to in-depth remodels or costly installations to keep their belongings hidden.

While those additions can work, we believe you can create the same effect with just a few small changes. To take advantage of the secret spaces in your home, follow these seven hidden storage ideas.

1. Hide Remotes in a Storage Side Table

Remote controls, coasters and other unsightly knickknacks can put a damper on your side table’s style. We still need to access them while we’re hanging out in the living room, though. Wouldn’t it be nice to keep those things out of sight (but still within reach)?

With just a handful of basic materials, Ashley from Sugar and Cloth was able to create a table that does just that. This stylish end table is simple enough to appeal to a minimalist but still offers space for storage. To get the step-by-step tutorial for her DIY coffee table, check out her website.

2. Organize Excess Clothing Beneath the Bed

There are many ways you can store items underneath a bed. The easiest way to accomplish this is to put your bed up on risers and use totes or other storage options that can slide. Store offseason clothing, shoes, and other items that won’t fit inside your closet.

3. Utilize Wood Blocks for Toy Storage

Stuffed animals, board games, Legos and other small items are continually cluttering kids’ rooms and play areas. If you’re not blessed with a ton of space, that means you’ll be stuck choosing between toy storage and additional pieces of furniture.

What if we told you that you could create a solution that can do both? With plywood, hinges, felt bars and decorations, you can build storage containers that double as seats. Make as many as you need and style them to match your room’s decor.

4. Mask an Office in a Hidden Armoire

If your home lacks an office (or even space for a desk), you know how difficult it can be to keep your laptop, files, desk supplies and other work items organized. Instead of settling for makeshift workplaces, create a hidden office out of a converted armoire.

Start by giving your armoire a fresh coat of paint to match your area’s style. Then, transform the inside by adding a pegboard to house supplies, chalk paint to doors to hold notes, hooks for baskets and a rolling shelf to support your laptop. When it’s not in use, just close the doors and slide your fold-up chair in the space between the armoire and the wall.

5. Create a Closet Under the Stairs

The best way to find hidden storage in your home is to look for unused space. One area that is often underutilized in homes is the space beneath the stairs. You can either use temporary storage solutions here or completely reformat the area into a closet or mudroom.

6. Store Valuables Using a Book Camouflage

via Running With A Glue Gun

A lot of us love to showcase our favorite books in our home, but have you ever thought about using them to cloak personal items? With just a few supplies, you can create a hidden book storage.

To make the camouflage, you’ll need a paper mache box and a set of book tabs. Simply glue the book tabs to your box’s lid and use a pencil to trace around the outer edge where the box is peeking out, removing the excess with a craft knife. Next, glue the lid to the front of the box (so that it’s blocking its contents). You can then place real books on each side, allowing it to blend in easily.

7. Build a Spice Rack Next to Your Fridge

If you are lacking storage space in an apartment and can’t completely remodel, it can be hard to figure out how to utilize dead space. As far as kitchen storage, scan the area on both sides of your fridge. If the first isn’t built-in, chances are there is going to be some space on either side. Next, construct a tall shelving unit on wheels that can slide in and out of this space. The shelf will work as a makeshift pantry or spice rack.

8.  Make Your Trash Can Blend In

via By Dawn Nicole

No one loves the view of an unsightly garbage can in their home. Plastic ones can cheapen the look of your space, and even upscale options can look out of place. Rather than settling for a traditional method of trash storage, utilize hidden storage ideas.

With a few pieces of wood, hinges, and some basic tools and supplies, you can create a DIY tilt-out cabinet from scratch and paint it to match your room. Then, you can easily slip a garbage can inside and top it with your favorite decorations.

9. Hang Keys Behind a Picture Frame

If you want to keep your entryway sleek and decluttered, consider this hidden storage idea. First, add some small eyelet hooks into the wall. Next, find a picture frame that has a slightly hollowed out back. Add hinges and hang the frame over the keys.

10. Keep Toothbrushes Out of Sight

Image via Crafting in the Rain[/caption]

When it comes to storing your family’s toothbrushes, a lot of people resort to the classic solution: a cup or holder on their vanity counter. While this surely can work, it leaves your brushes pretty exposed. To keep your toothbrushes clean, hidden and easily accessible, utilize the inside of your cabinets.

Simply cut PVC pipe to your desired length, attach an end cap to the bottom and hang it from a hook attached to the door. This same concept can be used to organize the clutter in your kitchen. Use Command Hooks to hang measuring cups and spoons, utensils and grocery lists from the inside of your kitchen cabinet doors.

11. Transform a Closet Door into a Bookcase

This idea is not for a newbie DIYer. It is going to take some planning and ingenuity to pull it off. However, if you’re determined, it can be done. The idea is to create secret spaces in your home that no one else knows about. It could be an entire room, an entire wing of your home, or just a closet. To do this, you need to hide the door by camouflaging it. One common way this is done is to convert the door into a large bookcase.

12. Put Your Printer Inside an Attractive Basket

Image via The DIY Playbook

If you own a printer, you know how much of an eyesore this bulky piece of technology can be. By disguising it as part of your room’s decor, you’ll allow it to easily blend in with your decor.

This one is super easy: all you have to do is find a wicker basket that fits your printer. Then, carefully use a knife to cut holes where you have wires and where paper comes out.