9 sexy storage solutions for small spaces

Some may not think of smart storage as sexy, but it's positively titillating for those of us living in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/index.php?s=tiny+apartment">tiny apartments</a>! Whether you're looking for a way to store your vast collection of shoes in a space the size of a shoe box or hoping to tame your dizzying depository of DVDs, we've got some <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/storage-porn-9-sexy-stuff-stashing-solutions-for-small-spaces/storage-shipping-pallet-cou/">stuff-stashing solutions</a> that can help. Flip through our gallery to see them all from a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/storage-porn-9-sexy-stuff-stashing-solutions-for-small-spaces/storage-diy-walk-in-closet/">DIY walk-in closet/room divider</a> to a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/storage-porn-9-sexy-stuff-stashing-solutions-for-small-spaces/storage-diy-bookcase-armoir/">bookcase/desk that folds in half</a> to hide your crap.

<h2>Shipping Pallet Counter</h2> Ah, the humble shipping pallet - is there nothing it can't do? The only thing we don't like about it is the amount of work that sometimes must be performed to transform it into something else but that's not the case with this elegant solution seen at <a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/diy-olabisi-wine-tasting-room-pallet-shelving">Remodelista</a>. The owners of the Olabisi wine tasting room needed more storage, so they created this functional counter/shelf/island by stacking some shipping pallets and inserting baking sheets into each one. The same idea could be applied to make a coffee table or even a bench.

<h2>Hidden Staircase Drawers</h2> The owners of this 425 sq. st. NYC apartment loved their high ceilings but not their limited floorplan. Luckily, Specht Harpman Architects intervened and turned the space into a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/clever-425-sq-ft-manhattan-micro-loft-stacks-upwards-for-more-space/manhattan-micro-loft-specht-harpman-8/?extend=1">multi-level loft</a> with tons of functionality. Our favorite part? The staircase hides a whole wall of storage!

<h2>Picture Rail Shoe Rack</h2> If your shoes are as much of a pain to store as they are a joy to look at, why not treat them like the art that they are? Instead of keeping them stacked in boxes (which just take up even more room in your closet), this <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/274667/25-bedroom-organizers/@center/276989/organizing">tip from Martha Stewart</a> suggests using inexpensive picture rail molding to create vertical storage that is just as pretty as it is practical.

<h2>Walk-In Closet/Room Divider</h2> Always wanted a walk-in closet? Make one for yourself by following <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/small_spaces/walk_in_closet_room_divider.html">this easy tutorial from Ikea</a>. The partition that closes in the closet also doubles as a room divider and headboard.

<h2>Loft Bed with Storage Stairs</h2> If you can't build out in your tiny space, build up! Take a cue from this super cool <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/photos-see-inside-5-nyc-fantasy-lofts-triplexes-and-townhouses-from-dwells-city-modern-home-tours/city-modern-tour-19/?extend=1">loft bed</a> we spied on Dwell's City Modern Home Tour last year. This one's for a young boy's bedroom, but the same concept can be applied to a living room or adult's bedroom as well.

<h2>Fold-Up Shipping Pallet Desk</h2> Desks can be a great place to stash papers and documents, but they take up a lot of space. Not so with this clever desk made out of old shipping pallets. Not only does the surface fold up and out of the way when you're not using it, the backboard can be used to hang and organize all of your papers and notes. See the <a href="http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2013/04/repurposed-pallet-desk.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfarrantlyCreative+%28infarrantly+creative%29">tutorial here</a>.

<h2>DIY Storage Bed</h2> Storage beds are nothing new, but we all know that they can be pricey. Make one on the cheap by finding a few secondhand Ikea bookcases on Craigslist and following <a href="http://clossette.com/how-to-make-a-diy-storage-bed-using-an-ikea-bookcase/">this DIY storage bed tutorial</a>.

<h2>DIY Hidden Bookcase Desk</h2> Acting as a virtual office in a box, this smart bookcase/desk gives you ample room to organize paper and supplies but folds away neatly when you don't need it. See how to make it <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/268801/bookcase-armoire-how-to?center=276989&amp;gallery=274667&amp;slide=268801">here</a>.

<h2>Wall-to-Wall Storage Bench</h2> We nearly swooned when we saw the amount of stowage supplied by this <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/photos-see-inside-5-nyc-fantasy-lofts-triplexes-and-townhouses-from-dwells-city-modern-home-tours/city-modern-home-tour-2/?extend=1">wall-to-wall storage bench</a> at the Fifth Avenue home of Kate and Daniel Wadia last year. This one is a lovely custom built-in, but the same concept can be achieved using inexpensive or repurposed materials to create the base boxes and then popping some pillows on top for comfy seating.