If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of remodeling this old colonial house, it’s that walls hold secrets. Sometimes it’s an old layer of wallpaper. Sometimes it’s questionable 1960s wiring. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, it’s an opportunity for hidden storage.
Case in point: during our current laundry room remodel, Robert and I discovered an old doorway behind a wall panel. Once we opened it up, we realized it was the perfect spot to tuck away a built-in ironing board cupboard.
Sometimes these old house quirks turn into a super functional awesome surprise!
The recessed ironing board unit we bought was designed to fit right between the studs. It’s not a “new” idea by any means. It’s a laundry room storage trick that has been used for decades, but it sparked a whole brainstorm for me of all the ways you can utilize that “dead space” in walls.
Now I can’t stop thinking about it!
So I rounded up a big list of ideas for anyone else who loves squeezing every ounce of function and character out of their home. Whether you’re short on square footage or just love the look of a built-in, here are tons of clever ways to use the space between studs.
Everyday Living & Entryway Ideas
- Key & Mail Drop Zone – A slim, recessed organizer by the door keeps clutter from piling up on countertops.
- Hidden Charging Station – Add an outlet/USB hub inside the wall for tucking away phones and tablets.
- Umbrella or Shoe Cubby – Perfect for tall, narrow niches that don’t fit much else.
- Nightstand Niche – Skip the bulky table and build a shelf right into the wall for books, glasses, or a phone.
- Jewelry Cupboard – Instead of a jewelry box, use space between studs to make an entire cupboard hidden in your wall.
Kitchen Uses
- Spice Rack – The classic between-stud idea that saves cabinet space and keeps spices in view.
- Pantry Shelves – Slim shelves for cans and jars tucked behind a pantry or kitchen wall.
- Knife Block Niche – A recessed magnetic strip or wooden block keeps sharp knives accessible but safe.
- Cookbook Cubby – Shallow shelves to keep favorite cookbooks off the counters. That same hidden doorway in our laundry room? It connects to our kitchen where previous owners added recessed shelves to hold cookbooks. I keep a few there along with some serving pieces.
- Wine Rack – Vertical bottle cubbies that look like built-in charm.
- Plate Rack – Display heirloom dishes (whether decorative or for functional storage).
Bathroom & Laundry Room
- Medicine Cabinet – The tried-and-true wall storage hack.
- Shower Niche – A built-in soap and shampoo shelf that looks custom and spa-like.
- Towel Cubby – Fold towels into a recessed wall slot.
- Towel Drying Rack – Hang up towel bars recessed into the wall to allow towels to dry without getting in the way of traffic flow.
- Toilet Paper Niche – A recessed cubby right beside the toilet so you never run out of rolls.
- Toiletry Station – A spot in-reach for lotions and cotton swabs.
- Laundry Chute – If your floor plan allows, this is the ultimate between-studs luxury.
- Built-In Hamper Niche – A pull-out basket or bag hidden in the wall.
- Ironing Board Cupboard – Our newest discovery! Game-changer for laundry spaces!
Office, Craft, & Utility Spaces
- Message Center – A recessed chalkboard, corkboard, or dry-erase panel that doubles as decor.
- Filing Cubbies – Slim vertical slots for mail, homework, or important papers.
- Craft Supply Organizer – Spools, brushes, or scissors all corralled in recessed cubbies.
- Printer/Tech Niche – Hide away the clunky electronics that clutter desks.
- In-Wall Speakers – A sleek way to bring music into a room without sacrificing surface space.
- Hidden Cleaning Supply Cabinet – Build a hidden cabinet between studs for stowing away cleaning supplies conveniently.
- Smart Home Hub – Disguised but still easy to access.
- Locking Safe – Secure valuables tucked away in a wall cavity.
- Pet Feeding Station – Recessed food and water bowls at baseboard height.
- Fold-Out Desk or Vanity – A shallow wall cavity can hide a drop-down worktop for a laptop or makeup station.
- Toy or Game Cabinet – A recessed cupboard for board games, puzzles, or Legos.
- Secret Compartments – Hidden doors behind trim, wainscoting, or artwork for a little mystery and fun.
The next time you open up a wall, you might just find your new favorite storage solution waiting in there. Any ideas you’d add to the list?
I have a couple more ideas in my head for ways we’ll add hidden function in the laundry room. We still have a long way to go, but having the hidden ironing board checked off the list already feels like an accomplishment!
