As we grow into our homes, they can sometimes seem to shrink around us. When we accumulate more belongings, it can be hard to find storage options in a home with finite space. After all, there's a limit to we can shove into the coat closet or cram into the kitchen junk drawer.

Here are a few clever ideas that can maximize your home's storage space without increasing your square footage:

Stow it in plain sight. An ottoman that doubles as a chest in the family room is a great receptacle for throw blankets, games, or anything that doesn't need to be kept out at all times. Similarly, a bench in the mudroom or entryway can contain all of the spare hats, mittens, and boots that you don't want to have strewn about the house – and it doubles as a seat.

Add some wall storage. You don't have to run out and by more traditional, freestanding bookcases if you're looking for additional shelving. Depending on whether you want more storage in your garage or closets, you can mount shelving constructed of wood or metal in a variety of styles depending on what you plan to store on it. Hooks are a great option for entryways and closets. Pegboards are handy in a workspace to hang up tools. And you can always consider hanging additional cabinets in any room and filling them with anything from dishware to toiletries to your TV set.

Think outside the box. Sure, dressers, wardrobes, and china cabinets are generally used to contain specific items such as clothes or dishware, but if you find a pretty piece that would add character to a room, you can fill it with whatever items you need to store – and no one will know the difference. Consider re-purposing an attractive, wooden laundry hamper to hold bathroom towels. Or use a pretty antique chest or cabinet to double as a roomy bath cupboard with your sink nestled on top.

Built-ins. For rooms that back up to unused space like an attic or crawlspace, a carpenter or contractor can help create recessed drawers that close flush with the wall of a room. Anything you store inside is accessible, but hides easily away in the unfinished space.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, the possibilities for transforming open space into storage space are endless. Using a few clever tricks, you'll be able to create storage space in even the most cramped of rooms. It's pleasing to the eye, helps keep you organized, and minimizes the cluttered look that can make a space seem smaller than it is. When it comes to fun, charming home storage, you're limited only by your imagination!

Would you like to know more? Visit www.andoverhomes.com for more information.