Are you planning to sell your home soon or perhaps in the not-so-distant future? If so, you’re likely considering your property’s resale value while working to enhance its functionality. There are various ways to boost your home’s value, including projects that can also resolve current storage challenges.
If you’re dealing with overflowing kitchen cabinets, a chaotic closet, or boxes stacked in the basement, you might be wondering which storage solutions offer the best return on investment. We had the same question, so we consulted several home remodeling and real estate experts for insights. Ahead, you’ll discover what these professionals shared in an exclusive conversation with Centre for Inclusive Design. They reveal which storage solutions can truly enhance your home’s value and appeal to future buyers.
Built-in closet systems make a home more appealing to buyers
A built-in closet system not only helps you create a more organized system for your clothing, shoes, and accessories, but it can also 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, speaking exclusively to Centre for Inclusive Design. While the added value depends on your location, home’s overall value, and project specifics, Bramlett estimates you can recoup up to 85% of your costs upon selling.
Beyond future monetary value, a built-in closet system offers immediate benefits. With floor-to-ceiling cabinets and racks, you’ll maximize space, freeing items currently crammed in drawers or collecting dust. Opting for a custom-built system is often a smarter financial choice, as they use higher-quality materials, ensuring longevity and aesthetic appeal.
The added functionality of pantry and kitchen cabinet organizers can increase your property value
You don’t need to spend a fortune upgrading storage to make your home more appealing. “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, you can benefit from these storage upgrades. Pull-out shelves and built-in systems help optimize space, reduce clutter, and prevent smaller items from getting lost. Even without funds for a custom system, consider DIY options like installing the Rev-A-Shelf 2-Tier Organizer in your cabinets to enhance functionality.
While Bramlett advises against expecting a huge increase in your home’s value due to built-in pantry organizers or pull-out shelves, he notes it could raise the asking price by up to 7%. However, the primary benefit of these upgrades is 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, allowing for an earlier closing date and letting you move on to whatever the future holds.
Multi-layered garage storage sends the message buyers are looking for
If you’re preparing to list your home, Bramlett recommends using your garage to convey the right message to potential buyers. 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.” These upgrades, although inexpensive, may enhance the perceived value due to the premium feel they offer. “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 to improve storage to increase the appeal of your garage and home. As Bramlett mentioned, consider adding a ceiling rack, like the Fleximounts Overhead Garage Storage Rack. With this installed, buyers will envision keeping seasonal decorations, extra tools, and other items off the floor. Wall-mounted shelves, such as the Fleximounts Floating Shelves, are also easy to install and help convey an organized and well-cared-for vibe, which Bramlett highlights as beneficial.
Buyers will appreciate features like mudroom lockers and built-in cabinets
Don’t overlook the mudroom when considering storage upgrades that buyers will appreciate. Jon Wade, a real estate expert and broker at The Steamboat Group in Colorado, explains how a few inexpensive upgrades can go a long way. He recommends investing in 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 built-ins aren’t financially feasible, you can still demonstrate optimal space utilization with freestanding furniture. For example, a Farmhouse Hall Tree with Cubbies offers many benefits highlighted by Wade, including hooks for jackets and scarves, cubbies for shoes, and shelves for other items. As prospective buyers tour your home, they’ll appreciate the ease of keeping the mudroom tidy with such an organizer.
Consider adding built-in office storage to boost your home’s value
While you could DIY storage projects to maximize space in your home office, Joy Aumann, a licensed realtor and founder of LuxurySoCalRealty, explains why built-in options might be worth the investment. She notes that such projects are increasingly desirable to buyers, especially with more employers allowing 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, built-in home office storage projects could add 6% or more to your home’s value. To maximize return on investment, ensure that your new office storage coordinates with the rest of the home, as those are the projects 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.
Utilizing otherwise dead space with custom storage can be a wise move
You’re not alone in being frustrated with the unused spaces in your home. Potential buyers may share the same thoughts as they imagine living in the space. Instead of letting them see these areas as wasted, you can add custom-built storage to transform them into valuable real estate. 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 layout will determine which dead spaces to utilize. In addition to corners, nooks, or areas beneath stairs, consider other candidates for custom storage solutions, such as unusable fireplaces, large landings, crawl spaces, or awkward gaps next to bathroom toilets.
Thoughtfully designed laundry room storage will catch the eye of potential buyers
If your laundry room only contains a washer and dryer, buyers may only see it as a space for laundry. While important, this setup doesn’t differentiate your home from others with laundry rooms. To transform the laundry room into a selling point, Dotan Trabulsi, owner of Optimal Home Remodeling & Design in San Diego, recommends adding storage solutions. “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.”
To achieve a high return on investment, the storage should be thoughtful and stylish. Rather than simply adding cabinets above the washer and dryer or installing basic wire shelves, aim for an upgraded look that enhances the laundry experience while giving the room a high-end feel. Consider an integrated laundry system with built-ins around appliances or maximize storage by stacking the washer and dryer. When planning with a designer, consider how to make the space more functional with additions like a folding drying rack or pull-out ironing board.
Attic or basement storage — even if the space isn’t finished — can help increase interest in your home
Converting your unfinished attic into usable space is easier than you think and can significantly impact your home’s desirability. “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 simple solution to make the attic more valuable to buyers is to install storage shelves. You can hire a professional or, if you have basic woodworking skills, do it yourself. If your attic lacks a vertical wall for standard shelves, consider hanging shelves from roof rafters. Attach L-brackets to rafters to support a plywood shelf, ensuring enough brackets to support the weight.
Adding attic flooring for extra storage can increase the perceived value of your home
Adding shelving isn’t the only way to enhance attic storage and increase value. During an exclusive interview with Centre for Inclusive Design, Stephen Keighery, a real estate investor and 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 adding flooring or storage solutions to your attic, ensure it’s safe. Verify the attic is structurally sound to support items on shelves or the floor. Consult an engineer or home inspector for confirmation. Then, install plywood flooring (¾ inches thick is best for supporting weight) and basic shelving units.
For lighting, consider hardwiring overhead fixtures, a job best left to an electrician unless experienced. If outlets are available, rope lights or work lights (like the Cable Matters LED Clamp Light) may be suitable DIY options.
Integrating wine storage can drive up the value of a luxury home
Your home’s size and value affect which storage upgrades are appropriate and beneficial for your bottom line. Aumann suggests one idea for those seeking 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 such an upgrade can potentially increase a luxury property’s value by 7 to 10%. “It’s less common,” she says, “but when done right, it’s a showstopper.”
For luxury homes, adding a wine cellar is best left to professionals. Ensure finishes are perfect, as Aumann mentions. Buyers seeking luxury homes may be deterred by DIY jobs or poor craftsmanship, so thoroughly vet professionals for this task.
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