3 Brilliant Storage Ideas to Steal from This 421-Square-Foot Tiny Home Built in a Former Garage
Shawn Pederson built this cute, 421-square-foot tiny home in a former garage on her mom’s San Clemente, California, property so that she could be nearby. The goal? To have everything Pederson ever wanted in a home — just on a smaller scale.
We think her renovation turned out perfectly — especially her farmhouse-inspired kitchen! The small space makes use of every nook and cranny. In fact, we spotted three smart (and fun!) storage ideas that we think are, 100 percent, worth stealing. Let’s take a look!
Tour the full space: A 421-Square-Foot Backyard Accessory Dwelling Unit Feels Much Larger Than It Actually Is on Apartment Therapy
1. Add a moveable kitchen island.
Pederson found this small, rustic drawer-slash-cart at a local vintage market and added a butcher-block top. Instant kitchen island! While it serves as her kitchen’s anchor, it also adds a lot of storage (on the bottom shelf and in the metal drawers). The key is that the cart has wheels, so it can easily be moved around the kitchen as Pederson works. It can even be moved out of the way, should people come over. Tip: For vintage finds like this one, browse a flea market or keep an eye out for one-of-a-kind pieces at 1stDibs.
2. Add a ladder to hang towels in style.
Making use of even the narrowest of spaces, Pederson dresses up a leaning wooden ladder to neatly hang her kitchen towels and a message board. Ladders are a nice touch — especially if you want to add a vintage farmhouse vibe. The wood also adds warmth to Pederson’s mostly white kitchen.
3. Hang shelves to maximize space.
Forgoing the usual kitchen cabinetry, Pederson installed wall-mounted kitchen shelves to store all of her essentials, such as dishes and glassware. The trick to open shelving is paring items down to give a minimalistic and monochromatic look. Still, you can include a few standout items, like Pederson’s pretty glass cake stand. We also love that she mounted a paper towel holder to the bottom of one shelf to maximize the shelf’s efficiency and free up counter space for tools and small appliances.
What’s your favorite feature in this cute, little kitchen? Tell us in the comments below!