Lifestyle Blogger's Spatially-Challenged Loft Design Tips

Lifestyle blogger Erin Hiemstra packed her modern SoMa neighborhood loft with much-needed storage solutions to house her extensive wardrobe pieces as well as her huge collection of fashion magazines and design books.

When Erin first moved into her loft, it was packed with clunky furniture and had orange walls that made the space feel busy. In order to make the space open, airy and serene, she came up with clever storage solutions that keep everything well organized and clutter free.

In seeking a central storage system to use just inside the loft's entryway, Erin fell in love with one piece that serves several functions. It offers open storage for things like keys and mail, concealed storage for bags and umbrellas, and nooks for shoes and books.

To take advantage of dead space just off the living room's sliding glass doors that lead out to the loft's small Juliet balcony, Erin and Chris opted for an 8-foot-tall bookshelf. It houses their important belongings, including diplomas and family keepsakes. "Vertical space is something really important to take advantage of. You'd be surprised how storing things upwards frees up space for other things. A combination of horizontal and vertical storage is key in maximizing square footage," Erin notes.