Add Kitchen Storage By Reclaiming Space You Forgot You Had

No matter how many shelves and cabinets a kitchen already has, it could always use more. In fact, a lack of kitchen space often tops the list of common homeowner complaints. Among the hacks to secretly add more storage to your kitchen is one spot you probably haven't considered, and it may be staring you right in the face. Behold the forgotten counter overhang — just one of the many dead spaces in your home you should take advantage of. At one time this may have been prime seating thanks to a series of stools, but if it's just not getting the action it used to, consider reclaiming this spot as a handy storage solution.

This hack gained one homeowner 7 inches in depth of additional storage in their kitchen, as they shared via Instagram. When doing your own DIY, you could either frame out the space and add cabinet doors to match the ones already in your kitchen, or you could buy a prefabricated shelving unit that fits the measurements of the space. An alternative (and perhaps simpler) idea would be to skip the cabinets and use open shelving instead. You could even use baskets to keep things organized, which is a sneaky (and stylish) way to add even more storage when placed above upper cabinets as well.

This hack may not be for everyone, though, especially if you have a really small kitchen. Closing in the space beneath a counter overhang means you give up some extra seating in exchange for gaining additional storage. If your counter sees a lot of action as a place where people sit, or if your dining room table is already cramped during the holidays, then losing that space might not be in your best interest. If you love to entertain and need a station for appetizers or like to have various seating zones throughout the space, then losing those stools could lead to some renovation regret. 

To get the best of both worlds, one good solution could be to build the cabinets beneath either end of the countertop, leaving some space in between them for two bar stools — if your countertop is long enough to allow it. That way, you get the additional storage space where you can tuck your least-used items out of sight but still reap all the benefits of countertop seating. For those with limited space, this could actually be the best way to make the most of a small kitchen.