If you live in an older home in Colorado Springs and constantly find yourself saying, “Where am I supposed to put all this stuff?” — you’re definitely not alone.
Whether it’s an early-1900s bungalow in Old North End, a post-war rancher in Stratton Meadows, or a '70s split-level in Village Seven, older homes just weren’t built with modern life in mind. No walk-in closets. No pantry space. No garage organizers. No mudrooms. Basically... no mercy.
But here’s the good news: you’ve got more storage potential than you think — you just need to build it smarter.
Let’s talk strategy.
Why Older Homes Struggle with Storage
Back in the day, people didn’t own as much stuff. No Costco hauls. No seasonal bins for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and National Cheese Day. One jacket. Two pairs of shoes. A vacuum that lived in the hallway closet (if you were lucky).
But now? We need space for:
- Luggage
- Camping gear
- Kids’ toys
- Home office supplies
- Sports equipment
- Holiday decor
- Vacuum robots (and all their little accessories)
And most older homes don’t have a place for any of that.
The challenge — and the fun part for us — is creating new storage without compromising the character or flow of your home.
Our Favorite Storage Solutions for Older Colorado Homes
1. Built-In Storage (a.k.a. The MVP)
If you’ve ever stood in a room and thought, “This wall is just sitting here doing nothing,” — that’s a built-in waiting to happen.
At HOMEFix, we custom-build:
- Wall-to-wall bookshelves
- Window bench storage
- Closet systems
- Mudroom cubbies
- Entertainment centers with hidden compartments
- Basically whatever you can dream of.
Since we’ve got our own custom cabinet shop right here in Colorado Springs, we can make everything to fit your exact space — even if it’s wonky, slanted, or shaped like a rhombus (which happens more than you’d think in older homes).
Pro tip: Built-ins don’t just add storage. They add value. Buyers love seeing custom storage that feels like it was always meant to be there.
2. Dead-Space Rescue Missions
Older homes are full of weird little nooks and crannies that were just never used right.
Here’s where we find hidden gems:
- Under the stairs: drawers, pull-out pantries, pet nooks
- Above doorways: open shelving or decorative ledges
- Behind doors: shallow shelving or towel bars
- Knee walls in attic spaces: perfect for built-in drawers
- End of hallways: linen closets, broom storage, or a tiny desk nook
3. Closet Upgrades That Make a Huge Difference
Older homes typically have small closets — and even worse, they’re poorly laid out.
We can:
- Add double hanging rods (top + bottom)
- Install built-in drawers and shoe shelves
- Use pull-out baskets for flexible storage
- Add LED lighting so you can actually see what’s in there
- Rebuild the closet opening to make better use of wall space
And if you’ve got a room with no closet at all (looking at you, upstairs bedrooms in 1940s homes), we can build a full-depth wardrobe that looks built-in — or even is built-in.
4. Kitchen & Pantry Overhauls
We’ve remodeled more old Colorado Springs kitchens than we can count, and the #1 complaint is always: “There’s no storage!”
Fixes we’ve used:
- Add pull-out pantry cabinets to unused wall space
- Convert back stairwells or broom closets into walk-in pantries
- Install ceiling-height cabinets with crown molding to match
- Create under-island storage for appliances or baking gear
- Add drawer organizers, tray dividers, and lazy Susans inside cabinets
If your kitchen has a weird layout, no pantry, or one of those tiny corner cabinets that eats Tupperware for breakfast — we can fix that.
5. Mudroom or Entryway Storage
Older homes rarely have a proper mudroom. So coats, shoes, backpacks, and sports gear end up in a pile near the front or garage door.
Here’s what we’ve done:
- Convert part of the garage into a mudroom alcove
- Build bench + cubby systems inside an entryway or hallway
- Install vertical lockers with hooks and doors to hide mess
- Add slat walls with baskets and hooks for flexible use
You’d be amazed what a 4-foot stretch of wall can do when it’s built smart.
6. Attic & Garage Maximization
These areas are goldmines for storage — if they’re used right.
Attics:
- Add drop-down access stairs
- Build platform storage over ceiling joists
- Install shelving around the perimeter for bins
- Insulate and finish a section for climate-safe storage
Garages:
- Ceiling-mounted racks for seasonal bins
- Custom wall-mounted tool and bike storage
- Cabinet systems with workbench integration
- Shoe and coat storage for garage-to-kitchen transitions
Don’t let your attic or garage be the land of forgotten junk. We can help organize and reclaim it.
7. Furniture That Works Overtime
If you’re not ready for a full remodel, we can still help with strategic solutions like:
- Murphy beds with built-in shelving
- Storage benches and ottomans
- Fold-out desks or hidden workstations
- Window seats with hinged lids
- Rolling kitchen islands with drawers
Custom vs. Store-Bought Storage
Let’s be real: IKEA hacks only get you so far. Especially in older homes where walls aren’t straight and spaces are irregular.
When we custom-build:
- It fits perfectly
- It matches your home’s character and trim
- It actually functions the way you need it to
And because we do all the trades in-house — electrical, plumbing, drywall, painting, flooring — you don’t have to coordinate six different companies to get it done.
Final Thoughts
Adding storage in an older home isn’t just about squeezing more stuff into tight corners. It’s about creating space that works for your life today — without tearing down the character and charm that made you fall in love with your home in the first place. When done right, smart storage solutions can make your home feel bigger, calmer, and more organized. And trust us, once your clutter has a proper place, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. If you’re ready to stop fighting your space and start loving it, give us a call at HOMEfix. We’ve got the tools, the team, and the know-how to turn your storage struggles into storage wins — right here in Colorado Springs.
