Categories: DesignOrganization

Amazed and Amused by innovative space saving ideas

Do you need space saving ideas? Do you need more space in your kids bedrooms? Then this Amazed and Amused is for you.

We live in an old house that had just one closet when we moved in. We’ve been searching for innovative space saving ideas for our home and our clients’ homes for years, and have been lucky enough to find some space saving solutions that work.

Pocket doors and barn doors

One of our favorites is a pocket door or a barn door that allows us to open up our living spaces when we want but we don’t have the obstacle of a door that swings into or out of a room. And we’re proud to say that our first interior barn door is what kicked off the barn door craze. It was a way for us to use leftover flooring from our kitchen remodel, and Theresa had been itching to bring the barn door into our Formal Farmhouse for years prior to us installing the first one in our kitchen.

For the pocket doors that divide our living room and entryway space, we reused old wood doors that we found in the attic. The previous owner replaced the wood doors with hollow core doors (egads!)

Barn door by MyFIxitUpLife
Pocket door by MyFixitUpLife

Look to the attic or basement

If you have an attic or basement, and it isn’t finished, then you are a lucky duck. Most attics and basements offer tons of square footage opportunities. While finishing either space to make it code compliant and habitable may be a little more than you want to spend, you can also lay down rubber mats and add some cozy furniture so that it’s an inviting space for kids to hang out while you save the money to make it into the space you dream about.

Attice renovation by MyFixitUpLife
Basement renovation by MyFixitUpLife

Murphy bed

Carving out extra space for guests or for kids to have space to play in their rooms can be easy with a Murphy bed.

We chose a Murphy bed for our son’s room as a way to fit a guest bed into our home when he was born. We intended for him to sleep in a crib and then his toddler bed, keeping the Murphy up in the wall. But, Jack had other plans. He never liked his crib and he refused to sleep in the toddler bed. But, once he laid on the Murphy bed, he was happy to sleep through the night. Little guy and a giant bed.

This bedroom makeover into a Minecraft space was so fun. I loved painting that mural.

Shelf and cubby space savings ideas

We’ve made a variety of shelves for garages, basements, bakeries, and bedrooms over the years. Always on the prowl to max-out vertical space whenever we can so that the stuff isn’t cluttering the floor or in the way of living. Here are some of the shelves we’ve created in a variety of different themes.

Baseball themed shelf
DIY Decor: Steampunk Shelf
My ‘after’ photo of my shoe closet.
DIY Desk Organizer.
Take a beauty shot with green grass. Because, Pinterest likes that. I think.
Clutter Cutter Garage and Tool Storage Solution
Old houses are challenging places to find storage solutions
Designing for poop. Yes, poop. Like MyFixitUpLife’s luxe litter box and cat center.

Vertical materials cart

If you are an avid DIYer, you might have a lot of extra lumber or other materials on hand. We find it’s easiest and best to store them vertically. Saves so much floor space, and you don’t have to move everything to get that one piece of trim that’s at the bottom of the stack.

Workshop organization Max racks for all the stuff you use And might use someday

More innovative space saving ideas

We’ve also searched on Pinterest and found space saving ideas that really were amazing. Check it out.

Sweet stair age For more must have diy follow +MyFixitUpLife
Kid Cabin
This works for me Nice use of space
Murphy fold up Bunk beds
Cool I suppose if you have the space
Kickin kids room Who has ceiling this high
Stair age
Bridge + slide = best room ever

 


About the Author

Mark
Mark is a licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor. He writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.
Mark

Mark is a licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor. He writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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