Useless Spaces? What to do With Those Wasted Spaces

There are several ways you can revamp empty and otherwise useless spaces to make your home more functional and fun.

There are a lot of areas around the home that can be considered useless spaces. Partial dividing walls, areas below (or even above) a staircase, or little nooks or alcoves that were created by the house’s unique design are all common examples. You might not think much about these areas. However, if you consider them for a moment, you might see how they could be serious missed opportunities. Combine with a little bit of creativity, and you can change all of that for the better.

That blank wall around a doorway doesn’t have to stay empty. The space under the stairs isn’t just for boy wizards anymore. There are a number of ways that you can revamp these empty and otherwise useless spaces. You just might make your home more functional and fun in the process. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Surfaces and Seating

Look around your home at the various nooks and crannies that seem to just be empty spaces. With a little bit of work, it’s easy to add seating, tables, desks, and more to these areas and make them much more functional. Once you start thinking creatively, a whole wealth of options opens up.

Some of the open space in your foyer could have benches added for you and your family to sit and get your shoes on in the morning. You can add bins that slide under the benches to keep those shoes in when they’re not being worn. A little alcove could be a great place to install a small desk or computer workstation for homework, bill paying, creative writing, or even grabbing a quick bite to eat. You could even stick a chaise lounge or part of a sectional couch in a largely unused corner; giving people a private place to wind down or relax. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Storage and Organization

Some of these seemingly useless places are great areas to add storage solutions to your home. Shelves and cabinets can instantly transform empty walls, as a result, giving you additional storage even in the small spaces around doorways or in closets. Drawers are also great additions. As are sliding cabinet racks that pull out and then slide fully back into the wall. There are even more options available if you really want to get creative.

If your kitchen has a small dividing wall separating it from other rooms, consider adding a built-in wine rack within it to hold a few of your favorite bottles. A pull-out vertical cabinet next to the sink or stove can also be a great area to add a spice rack or store cutting boards. Bookcases are relatively easy to install, and if you have a large unused area, it might even be an ideal place to add a built-in pantry. Not only do details like these really liven up your home, but they can also help reduce clutter in other areas and make everything a bit more organized as a result.

A Use for all Those Useless Spaces

You might be surprised at just how much space there is in your home for these types of projects. The options can increase even more if you start looking at the outside of your home or in the garage, too. While some projects might require a bit of work, others are simple modifications. Many of which can really go a long way toward improving both the look and functionality of your home.

If you aren’t sure where to start, consider bringing in an interior designer or general contractor to discuss what you want and see what your options are.