Decorating Home Makeovers Before & After This Modern Home Renovation Includes Custom Storage in Every Room A major renovation of an older home gave a California family the chance to incorporate custom storage in every room. By Nancy Richman Milligan Nancy Richman Milligan Nancy Richman Milligan is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. She started her journalism career as a producer and reporter in the broadcasting industry. She also gained experience as a community relations director in Westminster, Colorado. In the early 2000s, she started freelancing as a writer and editor and she continues writing to this day. She specializes in articles based on interior design, remodeling, home renovations, architecture, and gardening. Her work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, Colorado Homes & Lifestyle, Country French Style, and The Rocky Mountain News. Nancy attended the University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, Missouri, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on October 25, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Inspired by stacks of photos and magazine articles, Jen Hochschild made storage a major priority in the redesign of her family's home. "We have accumulated a lot of things over the years," she says. "I like to display the items I either use every day or just enjoy looking at. The not-so-pretty stuff goes behind closed doors." David Greer The Hochschild's kept the outside of their house simple and modern to match the inside's organized and contemporary look. A wide walkway, low plantings, and absence of railings connect the porch with the fenced-in yard. French doors allow easy access to the three-seasons porch. Declutter Your Space for Less Than $15 with These Simple Storage Ideas David Greer This small space next to the side of the house was the perfect size for a bocce ball court. Situated right outside the side door, it is a close-at-hand area for outside family fun. Dave Greer Jen and her husband, Lenny, worked with designer Jennifer Tidwell to optimize storage in every nook and cranny. Tidwell outfitted the mudroom with practical hooks, drawers, and baskets to organize the family's gear the moment they come home. Easy-to-reach hooks in the cheery mudroom organize coats and bags. Baskets below the bench corral shoes and balls and woodbins on upper shelves hold infrequently used items. The Dutch door is painted with Yellow Hibiscus 357 by Benjamin Moore. David Greer Knowing that her client loves to cook and bake, Tidwell created custom drawers and cabinets in the kitchen. Lower cabinet doors hide pull-out shelves. Shallow drawers are designed for linens; handy slots for baking trays and cutting boards fill one cabinet. A two-tier island eliminates the need to seam pieces of marble for one large countertop. David Greer Open shelves keep glassware organized and on display while visually increasing space in the kitchen. The white shelves stand out against the inky black glazed subway tile. Dave Greer The designer also took advantage of often-overlooked places to incorporate storage, such as the built-in benches in the breakfast nook and a pull-down Murphy bed in the playroom/guest room. The seats on built-in benches in the dining area flip up to reveal storage for bulky roasting pans, vases, seasonal decor, and kids art supplies. Floating shelves that stretch from wall to wall provide gallery space for an artful display. Jen likes the vintage flavor her flea market finds give the breakfast area David Greer Tidwell designed big open shelves in the living room to display decor. The bold painted shelves showcase books and decorative items. "Painting the trim, wall, and shelves all one color has a clean, cohesive look and allows the accessories to pop," Tidwell says. Pillows in orange and pink carry out the visual strength of the vintage leather club chairs. David Greer Shallow shelves in the primary bedroom put an otherwise blank wall to good use. The new storage spot provides a pint-size place to hold plants, books, and artwork. "It makes the room feel cozy," Jen says. "Open shelves are often overpopulated and unappealing," professional organizer Ellen Delap says. "Display only your prized items rather than every item in a collection." Stand books vertically in order based on height, and group items by color for a clean look. Consider moving family photos to a gallery wall instead of letting them take over shelf space. PHOTO: David Greer PHOTO: David Greer A Murphy bed takes just seconds to pull down from the wall when guests arrive, turning the playroom into comfy guest quarters when needed. Neutral decor helps the room easily transition between sleep and fun. Cabinets above the bed keep pillows and linens nearby but out of sight. The playroom comes to life when the guest bed folds up into the wall. The bedside table becomes a perch for a dollhouse, and the underside of the bed features chalkboard paint so the kids can draw right on the wall. David Greer Recessed drawers keep the playroom uncluttered when playtime is over. Every single toy and arts and crafts tool has a home, making cleanup fast and straightforward. A reading bench next to the bookshelves makes it an easy place for the kids to curl up with a book of choice. Thanks to the focus on storage, the family even discovered spots for a few extra shelves—making room for future growth. Updated by Kit Selzer Kit Selzer Kit Selzer is the former senior remodeling and projects editor for Better Homes & Gardens magazine. She has more than 30 years of experience covering building and remodeling topics, especially kitchen and bath design and do-it-yourself. Learn More and Liz Strong Liz Strong Instagram Liz Strong is a Los Angeles-based photographer and interior designer.She has worked as a decor and home editor for Coastal Living, producing and styling content as well as art directing projects from start to finish.Liz is the founder of her eponymous company, Liz Strong Style, where she often collaborates with clients and publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, for editorial and advertorial features. Learn More Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit