Look: 3 Sneaky Storage Solutions! Austin

We came across a great article in the latest issue of Real Simple magazine giving readers great ideas on how to maximize storage space in unexpecting ways. Considering our love of double-duty furniture, we couldn't pass up showing you our three favorite finds...

Coventry Storage Bench by Ballard Designs Storage benches don't just have to be wooden and relegated to the entryway, this awesome upholstered storage bench can be used as a miniature couch! We love the combination of clean lines and elegant details but love even more that this piece could contain a lot of chaos, like kid's toys.

Apollo bed from Door Store Furniture We all know the sort of dust bunny wasteland the empty space underneath a bed can turn into, but losing precious storage space with beds that rest on the floor sometimes isn't an option. This great bed can store everything you need out of the way and accessibly without having to crawl under the bed.

PS Clock from Ikea Never look at piles of keys and sunglasses on your entryway tables again! This double-duty clock offers ample room for all those things you need in a hurry. It's also a great option for those living in small spaces that don't even have an entryway!

What are your favorite sneaky storage solutions that you've seen or implemented in your own homes? Let us know!

[Photo credit: Taken from Real Simple magazine, Ballarddesigns.com, doorstorefurniture.com and ikea.com]

You could probably paint that PS Clock from Ikea a different color pretty easily, couldn't you?

posted by Myshkin on October 21st 2008 at 12:28pm
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Myshkin, my mom has decoupaged one with travel/luggage labels, it looks adorable.

posted by valleyval on October 21st 2008 at 12:31pm
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love the bed...so cool

posted by EileenB on October 21st 2008 at 5:27pm
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IKEA used to have a bed base with storage like that, don't know if they still do, for a lot less I'd bet

posted by Enamorada on October 22nd 2008 at 2:28am
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Love the bench, which looks like the van-bench that serves as our mini-couch. Don't laugh; we have a small place, and it has a slipcover and has really a pretty sleek look. The legs aren't very good-looking, though, and if I made a skirt for it, it would probably look sort of like that bench.

posted by whytephoenix on October 22nd 2008 at 6:01am
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Love that bench too. Wonder if I could make something like that myself?

posted by krpm1 aka Kelly:) on October 22nd 2008 at 10:54am
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I have the bed in my guest room - I got it at Motif Furniture, but mine is black - I just love it!

posted by decor_savvy on November 26th 2008 at 3:17pm
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I love the bed but I believe Door Store no longer makes it. Does anyone know of another bed with this type of mechanism? It's exactly what I need.

posted by Renanit on May 4th 2009 at 11:09pm
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I like the clock. One tiny shelf when I enter my itty bitty apartment with that clock sitting on it and I won't lose my keys again! I'm ebaying.

posted by am_clarke on September 7th 2009 at 8:04am
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