Home Storage Solutions That Add Resale Value To Your Property

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Are you thinking about selling your home soon or even in the semi-distant future? If so, you're probably thinking about your property's resale value as you work to make it more functional. There are several things that you can do to boost your home's value, including some projects that will also help you address your current storage woes.

If you have overflowing kitchen cabinets, a disastrous closet, or boxes piled up in the basement, you might be wondering which storage solutions will get you the biggest bang for your buck. We had the same question, so we reached out to several home remodeling and real estate experts to learn more. Ahead, you can learn about what these professionals shared when speaking exclusively with House Digest. They explain which storage solutions will really deliver when it comes to the value of your home and its appeal to potential buyers in the future.

Not only can a built-in closet system help you develop a better organizational system for your clothing, shoes, and accessories, but it may also help increase your home's value. "You'd be surprised how often a simple, custom closet makes buyers stop and say, 'This is what I need.' They see the shelves, the drawers, and the clean organization, and it feels like a luxury," said Eric Bramlett, realtor and owner of Bramlett Real Estate in Austin, TX, when speaking exclusively to House Digest. Of course, the value that such an upgrade will add to your house will vary based on where you live, the overall value of your home, and the specifics of the project you create. However, Bramlett estimates that you get up to 85% of your costs back when you sell.

Beyond the monetary value that a built-in closet system can add to your home down the road, it will also deliver immediate benefits that you can take advantage of immediately. Installing one can help you make the most of the space you have. With floor-to-ceiling cabinets and racks, you'll find that you have more space to store items that are currently shoved in a drawer or sitting somewhere collecting dust. Opting for a custom-built system can be an even smarter financial system in the long run. These are often made using higher-quality materials, so not only will they last longer, but they'll also look more aesthetically pleasing.

You don't have to spend a ton of money upgrading your storage to make your home more appealing to potential buyers. "In kitchens, minor upgrades like pull-out shelves or built-in pantry organizers go a long way. Buyers want a kitchen that's both beautiful and easy to use. When you open a cabinet and see clean, accessible storage instead of a jumbled mess, it makes a big difference," explains Bramlett. Until you're ready to sell your home, you can also benefit immensely from these storage upgrades. Pull-out shelves and built-in systems help you better utilize the space you have, work to keep clutter at bay, and prevent smaller items from getting lost in the back of a cabinet or pantry. Even if you don't have the funds for a custom system, you might still consider DIY options, such as installing the Rev-A-Shelf 2-Tier Organizer in your cabinets to increase functionality.

While Bramlett cautions against expecting a huge increase in your home's value because of built-in pantry organizers or pull-out shelves, he does note that it could up the asking price by up to 7%. However, the biggest benefit of such upgrades, according to Bramlett, will be their ability to make your home more appealing. "Not huge on its own, but in a competitive market, it's often enough to push a buyer to choose your house over the one down the street." This could help you receive an offer more quickly than you otherwise would, allowing for an earlier closing date and letting you move on to whatever the future holds.

If you're getting ready to list your home, Bramlett recommends using your garage to send the right message to those who might be interested in it. He says, "A well-organized garage tells a buyer that the whole home has been cared for. When we stage homes, we often add simple wall-mounted systems or ceiling racks, and buyers really notice." While these upgrades are relatively inexpensive, Bramlett highlights how they may inflate the value of the home in a buyer's head because of the premium feel they deliver. "I've seen it add thousands in perceived value, and the return can be as high as 80 percent depending on the setup,' he says.

There are several ways you can improve the storage situation to increase the appeal of your garage and your home as a whole. As Bramlett mentioned, one idea is to add a ceiling rack, such as the Fleximounts Overhead Garage Storage Rack. With this installed, buyers will see the potential of keeping their seasonal decorations, extra tools, and other items from taking up useful floor space. Wall-mounted shelves, such as the Fleximounts Floating Shelves, are also quick and easy to install and can really help give off that organized and well-cared-for vibe that Bramlett says is so beneficial.

Just as you shouldn't overlook the garage when considering storage upgrades that buyers will appreciate, you also shouldn't forget about your mudroom. Jon Wade, a real estate expert and the broker/owner at The Steamboat Group, a real estate firm in Colorado, explains how a few relatively inexpensive upgrades can go a long way. He recommends investing in some lockers or built-in cabinets for the space. "Mudrooms with hooks, benches, or cubbies make everyday life feel smoother, especially for families. I've seen buyers choose one home over another just because of these features."

If going the built-in route isn't in the financial cards right now, you can still showcase how to best utilize the space with some freestanding furniture pieces. For example, a Farmhouse Hall Tree with Cubbies offers many of the benefits highlighted by Wade, including hooks for hanging jackets and scarves, cubbies for shoes, and shelves for other miscellaneous items. As prospective buyers tour your home, they'll appreciate how easy it will be to keep the mudroom clean with such an organizer.

While you could DIY storage projects to maximize space in your home office, Joy Aumann, a licensed realtor (CIPS) and the founder of LuxurySoCalRealty explains why you might want to spend more to go with built-in options for the space. She notes that such projects are becoming more desirable to buyers, especially since more employers are allowing for remote and hybrid positions. "A thoughtfully designed home office with integrated cabinetry, shelving, and hidden storage brings a clean and functional look that buyers immediately value," she explains.

According to Aumann, the monetary value that such built-in home office storage projects could add to your home might be 6% or more. In order to maximize your return on investment, you should focus on ensuring that your new office storage really coordinates with the rest of the home, as those are the projects that Aumann says offer the greatest returns. "The key is not just having a desk, it's offering a full workspace solution that feels permanent and polished," she explains. 

You aren't the only one who is going to be frustrated with the dead space in your home. In the same way that you feel like that opening under the stairs does nothing to add to the organizational functionality, potential buyers may have the same thoughts as they try to envision themselves living in the space. Instead of allowing them to see the area as a waste, you can add some custom-built storage to turn it into prime real estate (literally). Bramlett says, "Custom storage built into nooks, unused corners, or under stairs also works really well. These features are usually inexpensive compared to major remodels, but they change how the home feels. They make it easier to live in and more enjoyable to look at."

Your home's specific layout, of course, will determine which dead spaces you should take advantage of. In addition to those underutilized corners, nooks, or areas beneath the stairs that Bramlett mentions, there are other prime candidates for custom storage solutions. These include unusable fireplaces (and the surrounding hearths), large landings, crawl spaces, or even that awkward gap next to the toilet in a bathroom.

If all you have in your laundry room is a washer and a dryer, then all buyers will likely envision using the space solely to do laundry. While having a space for laundry is important, such a setup isn't going to make your home stand out against others that also have a room for the washer and dryer. To convert the laundry room into a true selling point, Dotan Trabulsi, the owner of Optimal Home Remodeling & Design in San Diego, California, recommends adding some storage solutions. He says, "Turning a laundry area into a streamlined utility zone with cabinets and countertop space may not yield massive returns, but it does tip the scale in competitive markets. Ballpark ROI? Around 50% — and it often helps homes sell faster.".

Keep in mind that to see such a high return on investment, the storage you add to the space should be both thoughtful and stylish. We're not talking about simply slapping a few cabinets up over the washer and dryer or installing some basic wire shelves. Instead, aim for an upgraded look that will enhance one's laundry experience while also giving the room a high-end feel. Opt for an integrated laundry system with built-ins around the appliances. Or, consider maximizing the storage potential by stacking the washer and dryer. When planning out the space with a designer, think about how you could make it even more functional, with additions such as a folding drying rack or a pull-out ironing board.

Converting your unfinished attic into usable space is easier than you think — and it can have a profound impact on how desirable your home is to potential buyers. "Making an unfinished space clean and usable is always a plus. Buyers like knowing there's somewhere to store things without crowding their main living space. This won't always show up in the appraised value, but it often leads to higher offers and less time on the market," explains Wade.

A relatively simple solution that will convert the space into something more valuable to potential buyers is to install some storage shelves in the attic. You could hire a professional to complete this task, but if you have some basic woodworking skills, you might be able to do it yourself. If your attic doesn't have a vertical wall that will support a standard shelf, another option is to hang some shelving from the roof rafters. To do this, you'll want to attach L-brackets to the rafters to support a plywood shelf. Just be sure to attach enough brackets to support the weight of whatever might be placed on each shelf.

Adding shelving to your attic isn't the only way you can enhance its storage capabilities and increase its value. During an exclusive interview with House Digest, Stephen Keighery, a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and the founder of Home Buyer Louisiana, said, "Adding reinforced attic flooring and basic lighting creates valuable storage without major renovation costs. In my experience, this can add $500–$1,500 to perceived value, especially in smaller homes where interior storage is limited."

Before you attempt to add any type of flooring or storage solutions to your attic, it is essential to make sure that doing so will be safe. Verify that the attic is structurally sound and capable of supporting the weight of items placed on shelves or the floor. To confirm this, you might want to consult an engineer or a home inspector. Then, you can install plywood flooring (¾ inches thick is typically best for supporting enough weight) and some basic shelving units.

For the lighting that Keighery also recommends, there are different options that you can consider. One is to hardwire some overhead fixtures, which is a job best left to an electrician unless you have some experience. If there are some outlets in the space, then using something like rope lights or work lights (like the Cable Matters LED Clamp Light) may be a more suitable DIY option.

The size and value of your home will impact which storage upgrades are appropriate and will offer the best benefits for your bottom line. Aumann offers one idea for those who are looking to get top dollar for their luxury home: installing a custom wine cellar. "When done well; with climate control, premium finishes, and a display-forward layout — it becomes more than storage. It's a lifestyle feature, and in luxury markets, that distinction matters." Aumann notes that such an upgrade has the potential to increase the value of luxury property between 7 and 10%. "It's less common," she says, "but when done right, it's a showstopper."

Since we're talking about upgrading a luxury home, adding a gorgeous wine cellar is a job that is best left to the pros. You want the finishes to be just right, as Aumann mentions. Buyers who are looking for a luxury home will be turned off by a DIY job or poor craftsmanship, so be certain to read reviews and thoroughly vet any professional you hire for this task.