I’m always looking for extra storage space in my house, because I hoard too much.

I once lived in a very small apartment in New York City, so I got good at utilizing every available inch. With bills for storage units costing as much as $100 per month, finding storage space at home is a huge way to save money. Here are 10 great storage spaces that you probably aren’t using.

1. The top two feet of your closet. Most closets only have one bar and one shelf. Unless you are storing something really tall in on the shelf, there is probably a couple of feet of unused space. Install another shelf to store infrequently used items.
2. Under your stairs. There is lots of unused space under most staircases. You can build drawers under the stairs to pull out. Put book shelves underneath the individual stairs. You can also enclose the space with a wall and a door (just like Harry Potter’s childhood room.)
3. Above the windows. Most windows, doors and cabinets have room above them that is unused. You can add bookshelves or small cabinets in these areas. In NYC where the ceilings are exceptionally high, this is a particularly good place to build extra storage.
   
4. Under the sink. There is lots of unused space under the kitchen sink. You can build some under sink sliding shelves.
5. Under the bed. Put wheels on recycled dresser drawers. Slide them under the bed to store out of season blankets, toys or shoes.
6. Inside stored suitcases. Don’t leave all that empty space inside those seldom used suitcases. Use that space to store out of season blankets and clothes. Some suitcase sets are made to store inside each other to conserve space.
   
7. Inside your closet door. Build a storage space on the inside of your closet door.
   
8. Above your toilet. There is plenty of wall space above all toilets. You can hang a picture or hang a cabinet. A cabinet is better for storage than a picture.
   
9. On the ceiling of your garage. Create a storage system on the ceiling of your garage with reinforced plastic totes, as pictured above. These aren’t very handy to get to, but a good place to store Christmas decorations or even tax records that you need to keep but don’t usually need to access.
10. In your fireplace. An unused fireplace is not only wasted space, it tends to add to your energy bill by being drafty. Build an insert for books or cover with a door for storage space.
    

 Do you have some unusual storage space that you utilize in your home or office?