The Unexplored Spot In A Tiny Home That Is Begging For An Extra Shelf For Storage

Most tiny houses are less than 400 square feet, with some even coming in around 60 square feet or less. When you're living tiny, every square inch of space counts, often requiring people to downsize their belongings. But that doesn't mean you can't hang on to a few "useless" items that bring you joy! To make living in a small space more feasible, many people get creative with built-in storage under stairs, behind the bed, or even under the floors. But there's still one key area that often goes unnoticed, even though you pass through it every day: your door. The space above the door is perfect for a small shelf, almost like a window valence box or cornice, and is the perfect little spot for showing off knick-knacks and collectibles.  

Are you pressed for storage space in your tiny home? Even full-sized homes could use an extra shelf here or there! Here's why you should seriously consider installing a shelf above your door, other ways to adapt the hack to suit your space, and everything you need to know to do it yourself.

One of the best pieces of advice from tiny home builders and owners is to take your storage to new heights. "Don't be afraid to go vertical to find some available storage space," Jamie Mackay, founder and CEO of Wheelhaus, told HGTV. Shelves near the ceiling may be slightly harder to reach, but they're perfect for keeping things up and out of the way. That's especially important for non-essentials like books, décor, travel souvenirs, and other items that you won't necessarily need to access every day.

There are plenty of ways to build an over-door shelf, so choose a style that suits your home's interior design and architecture. Anything from a simple white-painted board to an exposed wood beam or box valence-style shelf will do; just make sure it's secure and strong enough to withstand vibrations and movement from below. The wonderful thing about a simple box shelf idea is that it can also be built and installed over windows for even more storage space. Adjust the width and depth of your box to get the perfect fit for each window, and have matching shelf window valences all around your tiny home!

To build a simple valance-style over-the-door shelf, all you'll need is 1x6 plywood, 1x3 plywood, crown molding, and essential tools like a saw, a Brad nail gun, and a drill. First, you'll need to build a "box" with the plywood. Measure, cut, and nail pieces of 1x3 plywood to create a shallow U shape that fits around the sides of the door frame parallel to the floor. Next, measure and cut the 1x6 plywood so that it overhangs the 1x3 pieces by a few inches. The 1x6 plywood will sit on top of the 1x3 pieces, creating a box that pops right on top of the door frame. Finally, cut and add crown molding around all three sides of the box so that it will look like it matches the door frame. Secure the shelf to the wall with screws and test for stability before adding any décor. 

To make the shelf even safer and prevent knick-knacks from falling, you can create a lip around the top edges. Simply measure and cut 3/4" cove molding and use wood glue or nails to secure it around the edges of your shelf. If desired, use wood filler to disguise nails, then paint your shelf to match the door or add a splash of color to your tiny home.