Organize Your Home By Using This Dead Space As Hidden Storage

Storage space is an invaluable asset in any home but is especially important in small houses, where every inch counts. There are only so many irregularly used items you can stuff into the closets, cupboards, and the basement for later. And what about all those things you use daily but can't find a home for? If you're wondering how to maximize storage space in your small home, using dead space could be a game-changer.

Dead space is any area not easily accessible, or that seems awkward to use. These places appear redundant and often sit empty because they don't make the most obvious locations for belongings to sit. One of these spots is the behind-the-door area. There's never enough room to stack shelves or fill with furniture. With a little creativity and the right product to help, you can transform this negative space into a big positive in terms of storage. Check out how to convert this formerly unusable area into a narrow, vertical bookshelf for more organization space.

The easiest way to make your home more organized is to optimize every area available. The spot behind your doors is a great example of dead space with the potential for more. Through a little out-of-the-box thinking, you can make room where none existed before by installing a vertical bookshelf. These are designed to stack books facing forward, rather than with the spine facing out. The result is a flattened storage solution for novels, cookbooks, journals, children's stories, and more.

There are many versions of this piece. TikTok user Mik Zenon installed a 24-inch by 70-inch shelf at only 4 inches deep. You can find this product in the same dimensions, plus many other sizes, from Litfad on Amazon for around $65 to $139. Before purchasing, measure the distance between the wall and the door's hinges to be sure the shelf isn't too thick. It attaches with screws and can be stabilized further with adhesive furniture wall anchors from Walmart for $6.04. One of the best things about these natural-finish wood shelves is that they can be customized to suit your taste and style.

Wood shelves are a blank slate for homeowners with a penchant for decorating. These space savers are a great opportunity to create a new aesthetic or enhance a room's current design. Add a pop of color with a coat of paint or take it up a notch with stenciled designs like the alphabet stencils from Michaels for $5.99. Peel-and-stick wall decals are another fun way to add color and personality. Home Depot sells a selection of these, including an adorable butterfly and inspirational quote package for $11.17. As you consider how to decorate shelves, ponder other ways to use these slender units to your advantage.

This product is marketed for book storage, but it works for any small or flat items. Set out your favorite vinyl records behind the door in the entertainment room, or tubes of sunscreen, moisturizer, shampoo, and body wash behind the door in the bathroom. You can also use this space to display family photos or holiday cards, just remember that anytime the door is open, the unit is hidden from view. However you choose to use these shelves, you have a leg up in the organization game without foregoing any of the currently used space in your home.