In any home, having plenty of storage space is crucial. That is why modern homes are designed with multipurpose fixtures to create storage spaces practically anywhere possible. However, storage space is typically limited in older homes.
Here are clever ways you can create storage spaces in old homes so they can accommodate any modern family’s storage needs:
The Mudroom
A mudroom is a functional space that typically comes with a waterproof floor, a shelf, hooks for hanging coats, a bench to remove shoes quickly, and storage space for cleaning tools.
Old homes do not always come with a mudroom. Nowadays, a mudroom’s design is as important as the kitchen because we have so much more stuff. Built-in drawers, compartments, and open “lockers” manage everything from shoes to beach towels.
Here are some clever ways to turn spaces inside your old home into a mudroom:
1. Use Multiple Spaces
In an older home, the functions of a modern mudroom might be effectively distributed between multiple rooms. Here are some examples:
- Put a bench or seat, a table or shelf, and some hooks in the foyer.
- Keep your coats and other outerwear in a nearby closet.
- Convert the cellar or the storage room into a mudroom.
- Adding a brick-floored landing at the kitchen entrance for muddy boots and shoes.
Most of the things stored in the mudroom are seasonal or temporary, so you can tuck things away practically anywhere else in the home when no longer in use.
2. Convert an Existing Space
You can flip pantries, built-ins, and other unused spaces into a separate, large mudroom. Here are some pointers for creating a mudroom within your old home:
- The floor should be durable and waterproof.
- Area rugs should be easy to clean and not fade.
- Use a mix of overhead, under-cabinet, and task-specific lights.
- Add a full-length mirror, if possible.
- Make sure there are enough hooks for everybody’s coat.
- Add a chair or bench for removing shoes.
- A catch-all drawer, bin, or closet to store stuff temporarily.
If you don’t have ample space for a mudroom, take down walls between the kitchen and an old pantry or between corridors.
Cupboards, Closets, and Custom Cabinetry
The modern idea of a closet didn’t come about until the late 19th century.
In older homes, a closet was once a tiny, private space used for meetings, personal care, storing valuables, or a parlor that housed liquor or showed china and glassware.
Hanging rods were invented after the clothes hanger around 1870, so built-in closets became more common. Eventually, closets became a staple after the 1930s, until the modern walk-in closet appeared in the 1980s. Today, walk-in closets come in all shapes and sizes, with extras such as wet bars, make-up rooms, and the like.
So, how do you create extra closet spaces in an old home? Here are some ways to do so:
1. Turn a Storage Room into a Closet Space
You can turn unused rooms like old storage into closet space. You can forego the usual closet door and use a block-out instead in case a door swing is too heavy or impractical in the area.
2. Turn Small Bedrooms into Walk-In Closet
If your old home has an unused bedroom, you can convert it into a walk-in closet with custom cabinetry. You can also convert back halls or corridors and pantries into walk-in closets. If you have a window seat, you can also use it to store items such as shoes or linens.
Lastly, install a built-in closet between wall studs, beneath an eave, or behind a stairway.
3. Get Experts to Create Custom Cabinetry
If you don’t know what space to convert into extra storage space in your old home, call for expert help. You can get the pros to create custom cabinetry for your home so you can turn an unused space into a walk-in or built-in closet. Cabinetry services can guide you on how to make the storage you need while preserving the integrity of your old home’s design.
Conclusion
Whatever unused space you find, you can convert it into a mudroom, closet, or extra storage. It’s all about creating ways to make life easier and more convenient for your family while enjoying your vintage home.
If you want well-designed custom cabinetry for your home, Mark’s Cabinetry Services Inc. can provide that. We have been providing excellent cabinetry services to residents of Tampa, FL, Sarasota, and Fort Myers at any price point. We have a team of highly-trained experts to assist you in choosing the best design for your home, so contact us today!