Creative Everyday Storage Solutions

Bench seats make excellent storage solutions in almost any room of the home. Whether it's an entryway, living room, family room or bedroom, comfortable seating with storage options is a helpful addition to your furnishings.

A well-cushioned top provides a soft place to sit or recline. When choosing a bench seat, opt for one with a firm cushion that's a minimum of three inches thick. Select fabrics that are stain-resistant or easily spot cleaned to add an element of durability. The right bench seat can remain a beautiful and useful piece for years.

Most bench seats come with built-in ways to organize and store. From easy-to-open drawers to open cubbies to deep basket inserts, you'll find lots of space for putting things away.
Different bench seat styles, such as padded or those for patio use, may have more open storage than you'd like. If so, you can easily add standalone baskets or bins to the open shelves to increase your options.

Shelves can be added to rooms of almost any size. Taking storage in a vertical direction saves floor space and offers more surface area for both sensible storage and more creative decor displays.

The smallest of shelves can expand storage options in a bathroom or laundry room. In a bigger room, shelving can be arranged to fit a wide selection of items. You can show off photos or part of a collection. More practical items can be hidden from sight in bins and baskets on shelves.

Freestanding shelving can be installed almost anywhere. It eliminates the need to drill into walls and can be easily found in a wide variety of materials and styles. This type of shelving also fits into most budgets because it is available in a range of prices.

Open-top bins are ideal for more casual storage and for holding items that you need to access easily. Choose bins with sturdy yet attractive handle designs for an easy-to-use option that still complements your design theme.

The wide range of colors and sizes make it easy to get numerous coordinating bins to fit on shelves or under furnishings. They can easily hold toys, shoes, sports equipment and more.

Multiples of the same storage ottomans can be used as a grouping for both seating and storage. They also give your room a neat and tidy look. They can be arranged in a few different ways to accommodate seating for a small group. Using identical styles offers the satisfying appearance of a seating set.

Wood crates in various sizes make excellent storage. Unfinished wood can easily be stained to match any decor style and add a natural element to the room.

Finished crates are also easy to find. They can be added to shelving for displaying treasures like books or vintage albums. Place them on the floor for use as a magazine rack or shoe bin. You can also create your own DIY shelving options by attaching several crates together.

A decorative tote with a lid can serve double duty as both storage and furniture when you use it as an accent table. The interior can hold soft items like pillows, throws or blankets. The top can serve as decorative display space or an area to set drinks and plates when entertaining.

Carts can be used for storage and to display many items. Plus, they offer the added benefit of being highly portable. You might keep a bar cart in your kitchen, rolling it out to serve guests during a party. Or you could stack your to-be-read pile of books on a cart next to your favorite chair. You can then scoot it out of sight if you’re expecting company.

While you might think hooks are just for coats, they can add storage to even the smallest of places. A wide range of hooks are available. You can get stick-on hooks that won’t damage walls. Decorative hooks may require a little installation work, but they pair function with style.

A row of hooks can help organize an entryway, serving as a catch-all for the outerwear and bags that often seem to pile up there. Over-the-door hooks can provide storage for accessories or a place to show off your favorite garments. In the bathroom, hooks can be used for towels and robes. In the kitchen, hang pots and pans to free up cabinet space.

An over-the-door rack can expand your storage options in any room. Using this vertical space can add significant pantry storage in the kitchen. A rack on a bedroom or closet door offers space for accessories like belts and bags. Turn a bathroom door into a cabinet for cleaning or beauty products with over-the-door storage. You can also transform a door into a miniature linen closet with an over-the-door unit used for towels and washcloths.