7 Interior Design Ideas To Maximize Underrated And Underused Spaces In Your Home 

Hallways are VERY underrated! I live in a house with just one long hallway and I've lined it with dozens of fun paintings I've thrifted over the years. It's like walking through a museum gallery 🥰

I changed over to using all the same kinds of hangars years ago and it made such a huge difference. A bunch of matching hangars was also my mom's birthday gift a few years ago and she loves it too! I have the velvet ones for regular clothes and wooden ones for jackets, heavy winter clothes, and special occasion or higher end clothes.

I think one of the most under used spaces in some peoples homes is the top of a refrigerator, if there are no cabinets above it. I purchased a beautiful wicker picnic basket to sit on top of my refrigerator and provide some extra storage for items I do not routinely need, but like to have handy. It does require occasional cleaning, but it looks great, and adds a little storage.

Just bought a box of 50 black velvet hangers from Sam’s for $13! Who knew it could make such a difference?! My challenge is creating an office/work space within a bedroom without just sticking a desk in a corner!

Everyone else: "That's hideous!" Garrett: "I love that, for you." You are such a nice man, Garrett.

ty! I wish I could see you every day. Could we just watch you do stuff? Organize your closet? Mop the kitchen floor? :)

A butlers pantry, walk in wardrobe & large rounded hallway would be living the dream! I want a cutlery chest! You’re such an enabler ! 🤣

My closet has been called out.

Yay for hallways. I'm lucky enough to live in a period home with a wonderful wide hallway. It even gets pressed into service as a dining area at Christmas when we need an extra long table space for everyone. You can go really wild on your art selection in that kind of space.

Garrett, thanks for the practical ideas and photo illustrations. Plus this focus on the smaller spaces in a house. I bought an older house with lots of character. My sister’s comment when I told her what my plans for the laundry room were (to match the kitchen wainscoting new paint color and wallpaper) was “but it’s just a laundry room, don’t waste your time”. I disagree, I spend time in the laundry room/pantry. This is my first time having a separate laundry room and pantry in my house, and I want it to be nice & enjoyable. Plus I see it from the kitchen & want it to coordinate. I don’t have a mud room, but enter the back of the house into the sunroom. Currently painting it. It already has hooks on the wall, am going to add a beautiful wood bench I already had, and a quirky painted table with an sailboat scene I picked up at a consignment store. (I am currently using it as a nightstand in my bedroom until I find the right nightstands). Love the idea of a basket under the bench if needed.

Guess who else has all wooden hangers? Me! Bought them from IKEA for a very reasonable price. I’m a believer in having some art in all spaces in a home - hallways, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages. I don’t like having spaces that feel neglected.

*Entry Storage* . My home lacks a coat closet in the entry. I utilized a halltree/bench combo piece of furniture to fulfill the function. The bench offers storage for hats/gloves/etc and the hooks provide a place to hang coats and bags. I use a thrifted picnic basket to house my shoes in the entry. *Outdoor Spaces* . My front porch is outlined in containers of pink roses, pink hydrangeas and pink geraniums all in different hues. As I am aging, I find container gardening the perfect fit for me and my space.

Have you ever thought of acting? I think you'd be fabulous!!!

Think of the laundry, the bar or even an office/desk space you can get from under the stairs or with underused closets! Pare down your linens and store the sheets and towels for each person under each bed. Use an underused linen closet for an extra pantry or craft storage closet. Put a bed on a platform and use the space under the platform for extra storage. Partition off an underused garage space for a potting area or hobby space like fly-tying. A shelf a foot or two down from the perimeter of the room can hold all kinds of accessories plus hide strips of lighting to illuminate the ceiling. So many things to do with underutilized spaces! Great topic Garrett!

Love the idea of putting newspapers on top of the cabinets….easy peasy!

I was sold on our new (to us) 1925 condo as soon as I saw that it had a butler's pantry. The combo washer-dryer is currently in the kitchen, but want to carve out a closet for stacked units at the end of the long hallway near the bedrooms. Another great leChic video! Thank you.

I love the newspaper cabinet tops tip! I have my collection of antique Ball jars on top of my cabinets -- many are clear glass, but I have several blue jars with the old zinc lids. Yes, they have to be carefully brought down and washed every so often, but they're worth it. And now that I've learned the newspaper trick, I won't have to spend extra time cleaning the tops of the cabinets as well.

Under the stairs is underrated in my house. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪

Yessss! Design for HOW you live. Function comes first. Assess your needs and then your wants.

Hate cleaning tops of kitchen cupboards x

We have a real, separate room, butler pantry, Garret is the first person who understands how great they are! Pots and cooking stuff live in the kitchen, the pantry is between the kitchen and dining room and dishes, glasses, booze and sodas live there. It has a sink and dishwasher and is lined with cabinets and has two huge counter tops. You don’t mix greasy pots in the kitchen sink with the Spode this way, and the storage is awesome! It’s also the bar for making cocktails. Granny did it up in 1958 (1820 house, Kitchen added in 1880 ish) and it’s still fabulous, shiny black Formica walls and counters with wood cabinets and that aluminum trim on the counters (room bling!). It’s so… Goldfinger chic, we’ll never change it. Like a powder room, it’s a small space for Go To Hell decorating. 🏴‍☠️✨ If you build or have space, very highly recommend!

I bought a house recently with a larger hallway and I plan on putting a desk, chair and small bookshelf at the end of it since I don't really have an area for an office space I desperately need. The end of the hallway has a window, which is a great bonus! You gave me some good ideas for the laundry space. I haven't put much thought into it yet.

I love your videos. You have inspired me to continue to customize my home to fit my needs, instead of pining over a new one. 🙂

We put our laundry on the garden level and turned it into a laundry / kitchenette space so that when guests are in the guest suite they have both a kitchen and use of the laundry. When there are no guests, we have lots of countertop to use for the laundry.

Had to laugh. I don't have a mud room/entry way, a butler's pantry or a hallway. I come in through the sliding door in the back that opens directly into the dining room and kitchen. I did put a small bench by the sliding door for shoes, but coats, purses, hats have to go into the small downstairs closet, which is by the front door that no one uses and has no room for hooks or anything else. Hallway. The closet thing I have is the landing at the top of the stairs, which I have done the best I can with some decor. I do enjoy your videos and they do get me thinking about various areas in my home and how to handle areas.

We paid our friend to make our cabinets from some free birch plywood from a job he had where it was used as a booth backgroud at a convention and were going to be just thrown away at the end. They have sliding doors and the shelves are set to my height barefoot so I can reach even the top shelf and THEY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE CEILING!!

The hanger story embodies why I love your channel. It is very rare to find a design channel that believes you should embrace your quirks. The quirks that we have, and our homes have, and our rooms have is what makes us, us. :). I'm seeing a lot of things lately that try to really homogenize design. That is absolutely not what design is about ;) imo of course! Thank you for sharing your advice and your humanness :)

The walkway to the front door is a great opportunity for design!

Also, don’t over accessorize your entry bench and hooks-otherwise people won’t feel inclined to use it! They’ll think it’s for decoration only. Ask me how I know 🙄 lol

I’m another cohesive hanger person! Going with all black velvet hangers was a game changer for me…no more wire hangers!

I had a friend give me a box of Velvet hangers for my birthday. Not going to lie I was not thrilled at first, then I used them and I'm a believer! FORM & FUNCTION. Not to mention more space.

Hello 👋 I love that you mentioned the exterior of the house and making it inviting, thats what I’m working on now because that’s just as important as the inside of your home. Great video

love you Garrett!!

Garrett, many thanks for your videos. You always have such practical and creative advice. I know you’ve touched on it already, but I would love to hear more of your ideas on window treatments. I have high, long & narrow mid-century windows. The previous owners spent quite a lot having custom mini-blinds installed (love that for them) but not really my thing. They’re challenging, I’m leaning towards a natural fiber option. Wishing you an abundance of happiness.

As soon as I heard wire hangers, my mind instantly went to Joan Crawford :D Now, being serious, I live in a studio apartment (360sq ft plus 190 backyard) with 4 dogs and a cat. Even with that space I can take advantage of the ideas being shared. That is proof of the amazing value this channel has. Thanks Garret as always!

When I was in the market for a home 6 years ago and did a walk through of my current home, it was the wall length closet with dual rods, shelving, and a shoe closet that I almost had a big O over 🤣 SOLD!

I’m so glad I found your channel. I love everything

My hallway is my favorite part of my house! Hanging vintage school house light, wall sconces, wallpaper and pew bench.

Great video ! Love from Canada 🇨🇦

I have an average size apartment closet. I've decorated one side with a small bookshelf for folded clothes, on top I have fairy lights, vintage purses, and a beautiful perfume holder & on the wall behind are small framed art found at estate sales and thrifting.

I've been binge watching all the kitchen related videos from this channel. I just bought my first own apartment with my boyfriend and we have to do full kitchen renovation and I've gotten some great ideas or validation for our choices 😊

I can not stand word signs of any kind. Cabinets to ceiling are over rated. Space above anything reachable for me is a waste. Love how you get to the point and just continue talking❤️

Any storage area like cellar or attic. Even if it isn´t where you can walk upright, it looks better and fresher if it is decorated and clean. It also makes you not frown by the mere idea of getting or putting something there.

Another great and very helpful video! Thank you Garrett! I am loving my balcony this year. I finally got some nice outdoor furniture and coordinating planters, so it feels "grown up" out there now. Plus with the flowers and scarlet runner beans (EXCELLENT fast growing privacy vine!), it's like a sweet summer vignette outside the window, even when it's too warm to go out there. Always love watching your channel! Big smooches for the puppers! ❤❤❤

I am really loving your videos, Garrett! You have inspired me to think out of the box! Could you do a video on what lighting fixtures work together in a kitchen? I need 1 over the breakfast table, one over the island, and one over the sink. I love the large open-frame lantern style, but I don’t want to do all 3 like that. Should the one above the island make more of a statement; so then do the other 2 match yet be different, but how different. I have NO lighting in the ceiling, so these lights have to illuminate the area.

Hi Garrett, same pinch for the hangers:) as I have sets of them in wood and in black satin. Love that for me 😍. I dislike any hangers that come with the clothings and I immediately discard them, sometimes I think how much as retailers they are wasting all these products and there should be choice or a little pin up of recycling. We have a nice little space under the stairs with the doors(it’s like a storage, I reckon) however my 13 year old has taken over and has decided that she wants to design it as per her choice so I have left it to her. I have a fairly decent size laundry area with ceiling to floor storage and everything is neatly tucked in it but I find that place so plain, will use my grey cells as how to bring life to these plain walls. My walk in robe, I simply love it as it is a heavenly organised place. The display of bags and accessories and perfumes all makes it such a relaxing place. I am just going to add few family pics on the wall above my mirror. Not framing them but pasting it with washi tapes so that I can keep changing it. I feel my walk in robe is my personal space and my personal collection of loved ones pics:) Thank you so much for your time and effort and sharing the knowledge. I very much appreciate the friendly banters in between:) You have a great week ahead. Enjoy life and know that you are much loved..xx

I would SO love a Butler’s Pantry.

You are a veritable well-spring of creativity and solutions, to each alternatives to boot! Just wonderful. I adore you. Greetings from Austria 🇦🇹

Another great video of useful ideas..I would give gifts of quality coathangers for friends...a little unusual and probably weird but always appreciated.

I have all matching white and gold wooden hangers with julie on them and a pretty silk bow with an enamel white dress charm, it's the frou frou details that matter!!!!! I made them and did mahogany and silver with hubbies initials for his walk through robes- no bows for him tho....

Hey! Where are the doggos?

I had my cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling in my 2019 kitchen reno but was cleaning the top of my 81 yr old moms cabinets yesterday and I am definitely going to put newspapers up there tomorrow to make future cleaning easier! Great idea!

Formal dining areas my new Florida house has 3 dining areas we do not use a formal dining room so intend to turn it into a spare living bedroom area for visitors!

I have a long, narrow, dark hallway to the 3 bedrooms & main bathroom. I need to do something with it 🤔

You are by far the best interior design channel, you blow the others away. Seriously need to just go through and unsubscribe from them all

I think that stairways and stair landings are great places to decorate. I have an antique quilt hanging in one of our stairways and some glass sculpture hanging in the other. I have a beautiful piece of furniture on the landing that contains media.

Love your content and design takes, so I subscribed!

We are building our new house, and by the kitchen, we have built a walk in pantry. Then we get so much more room in the kitchen, and as a result we feel that we get a more light and airy room there, and don`t have to put cupboards on the wall where the sink, range and dishwasher is.

Thank you for your ideas

Thanks for the excellent tips!

I laughed at the laundry room. Ours is a huge room in an unfinished basement and it is a storage (crap) space. All I can think is Garrett would be so disappointed 😂

Garrett...I adore your silver cabinet...would love to see your table set again like in your dining room reveal! Do you have more patterns of china?

Thank you for the great ideas on what to do above the cabinetry.

❤❤❤ once again a great show.....organization basement storage area and wrapping station you know like all things to do with wrapping ribbons cards wrapping paper and bags ect sos thanks for you just being YOU 🎉

You just gave me great ideas for my entry hall!! Thanks.💚

For possibly inexpensive way to fill the space between your cabinets and a non-vaulted ceiling, find top and bottom thin rails at your home store. You can attach them to the top of your cabinets and your ceiling, and make sliding panels that add interest, are possibly less expensive than cabinetry, and give you extra storage space. I got creative and got Plexi cut and painted the inside of it. (I had tried to attach fabric to line the Plexi with fabric but I didn't really know how to attach it without ruining the look of the fabric under the Plexi.)

Bingeing all your videos! So many great ideas.

LOVE THIS VID!! I was screen shooting pics from it!! First Ceiling Panels and Wallpaper for a Laundry Room..BRILLIANT! U know I love Flower boxes. That DREAM one is AMAZING!! Blue Wall/white Trim Hallway..LIVING FOR IT!!! Thank You GArrett..You have INSPIRED MY NEXT three projects!!!!

Another great video!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Wow Garret lots of good ideas in this video. I too love a good butlers pantry.

Thank you so much, Garett, you are great! Everything you talked about is so true, all these spaces must be useful and ...beautiful! I really liked all of your ideas! 🤗

This was great as always! I just love your channel. Garrett, could you please educate us about how to deal with the new color trend? I know that green color is in but I’m not into green so much….. You are so awesome!! 🌸

Until recently, an under utilized space for me was my garage. I got some terrific storage shelves for free in my FB Buy Nothing group, which then prompted a little bit of decluttering and some organizing. I even decorated out there a little bit. Now it's more functional and a nicer place in which to get some projects done.

Thank you for your ideas!

As always, I love your videos and advice. I don't care for a lot of decor in my kitchen since I hate cleaning it. I just put out a few vintage cooking items from my grandparents (items from the 30s and 40s). This is the first time I disagree with you. While I love a butler's pantry (I don't have one), I hate a glass door china cabinet/breakfront in the dining room. Maybe I'm unique since I live in a 180 yr old house. We have a formal dining room that we use a few times a week. When one uses one's china, the cabinet is empty and looks horrible during a meal. I have a buffet that stores some pieces. I added shelves to an antique wardrobe in the kitchen, near the door into the dining room. It works like a pantry, all the items are easily located, and I don't have to bend down to get heavy china (so less risk of breakage). Your comment about outdoor spaces is spot on. In the rooms where I entertain, I sit in each chair and look out the window. While I can't change the view, I always make sure the grass is cut, leaves raked, and everything is tidy. This is crucial outside of the bathroom window since we all know that guests take a peak out the window (and other places).

Love it

Hi Garrett! I've been subscribed to your channel for quite awhile but since I usually watch you on my smart TV, I usually just like your episodes- YOU'VE TAUGHT ME A LOT! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! The taste for the traditional speaks to my soul. Organization is a key. I hate plastic hangers, too. I admire, too, how you love Albert so much, unconditionally! You are such A WONDERFUL PERSON! Know that I am your "student" indefinitely!

I’m updating my kitchen with two ideas you mentioned. I’m extending my granite countertop over the washer and dryer and am adding cabinets up to the ceiling. I think those two things will make a huge difference.

You are really have good ideas. I'm going to implement some of them in my new home. Thank you. Now you have another sub ❤ Greetings from Chile

Just found you and subscribed in minutes . You are adorable! 🥰

Hi, Garrett, thank you for the great video! I love using plastic hangers when hanging wet clothes to air dry. It's very convenient and the clothes don't get creases. I usually dry my kids clothes like that, because they are with lower weight and the clothes don't stretch from the weight either.

Wonderful video once again xox

Oooh just clicked! Looking forward to this one.

Hello, I'm new! What a wonderful channel 🌷

I am about laying new hardwood floor in the whole flat. Flat is small but with long entry hallway so I plan to have an area with floor tile right at the entrance to define a small mudroom. I also plan to add wall moulding on the hallway rather than art so looks open but not boring.

Garrett, I really, really wish you would offer virtual design advice

Enjoyed.🙂

Awesome ideas, as always. What about the restroom/toilet? :-)

Hey there. I subscribed a few days ago!

I have a butlers laundry that comes off my Galley kitchen

My space is the laundry room. When we moved in (November 2021) I wanted front loading appliances with platforms. The problem is that the doors are bi-fold doors. The laundry room is under the stairs. The platforms won't allow me to open the drawers in the platform. I am still working on the problem.

Thanks Garrett! Help! I bought an open concept home and I’m totally regretting it now. Any suggestions?

“NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!” ha!

❤️❤️❤️

Adding a bench with shoe storage just inside our garage door with hooks on the wall was a great sacrifice of space in our small family room. My husband would leave his keys, coat and shoes all over the room when he came in. I wish I had done it 12 years sooner in the house it would have saved a lot of annoyance!

👏👏👏

❤