Century homes were built for a completely different way of life.
The original owners had a few outfits, a few sets of linens, and almost nothing that needed a designated home. Closets as we know them didn't exist. Built-in storage wasn't part of the plan. And for their lives at the time, it worked fine.
Our lives look much different today. We have winter coats and summer sandals, sports equipment and holiday decorations, cleaning supplies and pantry staples. And if you have kids? The list doubles.
Living in a century home and not having enough storage isn't a flaw in the house. It's just the reality of a home that was built for another era. The good news is that it's very solvable - when you plan for it properly.
The Most Common Storage Problems We See
When we start working with a client on a century home renovation, storage comes up in almost every room.
Bedrooms with no closets. Older homes were designed around armoires and wardrobes - freestanding pieces that moved from home to home. That worked beautifully in the 1800’s. It's a lot less practical now when you need space for two people's full wardrobes, shoes, and everything else that ends up in a bedroom.
Mudrooms that don't exist. Or a tiny back entry that's supposed to handle boots, coats, backpacks, and everything else that comes in from outside. These spaces were never designed for how we actually live today.
Kitchens that have run out of room. Old kitchen layouts didn't account for small appliances or a full pantry's worth of dry goods. Cabinetry added over the decades is often mismatched and inefficient, and it rarely solves the real problem.
All of these are solvable. You just have to plan for them early, not try to fix them after the fact.
How We Approach Storage in a Century Home
The goal is always for storage solutions to feel like they were always meant to be there - not like something added on to solve a problem.
That means working with the character of the house. Planked wood walls behind built-in shelving. Hardware that matches the original doors. Proportions that respect the scale of the rooms. The right materials matter too - if you're unsure what finishes hold up best in a century home, this blog post on the top interior finishes is a good place to start.
When you get it right, you can't tell that the walk-in closet didn't come with the house.
Here's a real example. In a farmhouse bedroom renovation, we had a room with no closet and awkward under-eave spaces on both sides. Instead of fighting that, we built directly into the eaves - a linen built-in on one side with open shelving and baskets, and a full walk-in closet on the other. The sloped ceiling became part of the design, not a problem to hide.
Every square inch worked. And it all looked like it belonged. See the full project tour here
The Window Seat Trick (Hidden Storage)
One of our favorite solutions in old homes is the window seat with storage underneath.
These homes often have beautiful window proportions, especially in older farmhouses and cottages. Building a bench seat around a window gives you a reading nook and a significant amount of hidden storage in the same footprint. The bench can be built with a flip-up lid or drawers that open from the front - both work really well depending on what you're storing and how often you need to access it. Perfect for extra bedding, off-season items, or anything that doesn't need to be accessed daily.
It feels intentional. It feels original to the house. And it solves a real problem without adding visual clutter to the room.
Where to Start
Before thinking about adding storage, it's worth editing first.
A lot of the storage challenges in century homes aren't just about space - they're about having more than any space can reasonably hold. Before designing built-ins or planning an addition, it helps to get clear on what actually needs a home. What can go? What gets used every day versus once a year?
Our free Edit and Organize Guide walks you through a simple 3-step process to do exactly that - edit your home, create a system that works, and keep it that way. No shopping required.
Download the free Edit and Organize Guide here
Thinking About a Renovation?
If you're planning a renovation and storage is part of the picture, it's worth having a conversation early. We look at storage as part of the full renovation plan - what each room needs to function, who's using it, and how to solve it in a way that feels true to the house.
Planning to renovate your century home? Here's what to know before you begin.
And if you're ready to talk about your project, we'd love to hear about it.