Storage Walls — the Space-Saving Workhorses of Design

No matter how much storage I have, I always want more. If you think you have used up all the floor space you can spare, look to your walls for more creative storage right where you need it.

Storage walls can provide an elegant and creative way to hide utilitarian items you do not want on display, and to showcase the singular items you do want to highlight. Niches, seating, desk space, closet space and drawers can all be incorporated into a custom storage wall unit, and you can even personalize it with special hardware and an exotic wood veneer.


In an open space such as a loft or studio, storage walls can function as room dividers.


A wall storage unit can be a real workhorse. This one functions as a space divider between bathroom and sleeping space in a master suite, and also as a headboard — with storage compartments, of course.


Wall storage typically is not easily noticed upon first glance. Units must be anchored to the wall studs for security. Sometimes portions of the wall may be cut into to achieve the design in mind, so be aware of avoiding electrical and plumbing lines. This brilliant example incorporates built-in lighting, nightstands and bookshelves.


I get irritated by clutter, so nothing pleases me more than hiding things behind closed doors. Taking up an entire wall of a dining room with evenly spaced floor-to-ceiling doors creates a clean, monolithic facade for this home's pantry, conveniently located steps away from the kitchen.


Floor-to-ceiling shelves and cabinets maximize storage. Inserting clear glass in the upper cabinets' door fronts creates visual interest and allows the opportunity to display those extra-special pieces you don't want hidden.


A storage system like this one makes the most of wall real estate. If you are keeping the shelves exposed, an evenly spaced grid is a beautiful way to create harmony in what could otherwise be a chaotic composition. Bonus points for organizing your bookshelves by color.


If you can spare a few more feet of floor space, a wall unit with deeper storage can incorporate a plush reading corner, window seat or daybed.


Even if your deeper storage unit takes up more floor space, it can still save you space by becoming a home office, media center, bookshelves and closed storage in one. The more you plan it to match the way you work and live, the more you will get from your wall storage.


Storage walls and playrooms seem meant for each other. This is an opportunity to be playful with color and wallpapers. Plan on different kinds of storage along one wall, such as closed cabinets, high shelves you do not want children to reach and lower shelves you do want them to have access to. Organize toys and materials by color, theme, age group and so on.


A storage wall does not have to be a perfectly measured custom cabinetry piece. It can be a quirky and eclectic piece, such as this furniture art by Thomas Wold. Imagine what you (or a creative carpenter) could build from parts and pieces of old dressers and credenzas — perhaps a colorful and organically grown piece of your own furniture art.

Have you designed the perfect storage wall for your house? We'd love to see it in the Comments.

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