When we moved into our new house, I immediately saw the potential in a strange, open area underneath our staircase. The front hall of our house, as with most homes, is a high-traffic area with most of its occupants carrying keys, purses, phones and immediately kicking off their shoes. We had a cabinet maker help us create a chic storage area complete with white wooden paneling working its way up the wall to meet the curving staircase. Now all of our shoes fit nicely into the lower cubbies, the diaper bags, purses and hats are behind cabinet doors, and I’ve also bought a big tray for all those “I’ve just walked into the house” sundries. Now, no one in our home has an excuse if they cannot find the keys.

Before:

After: