Sometimes weird is good. Quirky and peculiar space can be discovered when you open up a wall during a remodel or when you tear into a wall to fix water leaks. Along with the bad news of unexpected mold or dry rot, sometimes you are given the gift of a modicum of precious space. As every small homeowner knows, every scrap of storage is prized highly, and you'll happily accept it!

Once a burst pipe below my dining room floor, eventually leading to an entire house remodel. One thing led to another to go from replacing one room's worth of floor tile to a total revamping of the house. Along the way, I had the opportunity to re-evaluate many things, one of which was my hall linen closet. Ultimately, I cut the space in half once I realized that I could get along just fine with less shelf space and reallocated the room to a walk-in closet on the other side of the wall for my husband. Even if the storage is limited to the depth of the wall at only 4 to 5 inches, consider what you might stash inside such space. In a bathroom, that is the perfect depth for medications, makeup items and toiletries. Shampoo bottles, lotions and hand soaps fit just fine.

In a beach cottage there is relatively shallow storage offered for towels. When folded, the towels might take up 14 inches or so. This is a fine example of just how useful mere inches can become. Anything from 4 to 18 inches is worth capturing if given the opportunity. In this specific solution the elongated shape is sleek, and we don't know if the shuttered doors cover up actual storage or not. Given that each shape is the same size, it doesn't matter what lies behind the wood doors. What a creative way to give the impression of more space. If dozens of unsightly objects are hidden by the rustic shutter doors, then it's a good choice. Maybe no storage sits behind the doors. Kudos to the designer, for using a trick to build the impression of more space.

Think in terms of what might be, instead of looking at your current situation with acceptance. If you are unsure about what lies behind a wall consider calling in a contractor to dig into a portion of the wall so that you can determine the truth. You will want to know if there are plumbing pipes or ducts running vertically in a section of wall. Likewise, you must determine the course of venting or heating and air conditioning ducts. Whenever you move electrical wires and switches, outlets and cable wires you can expect to also need to repair drywall or plaster walls after the work is finished. You must figure in that labor when pricing out your estimate of costs.

Is what you find and what you want to create going to be worth it? That is the proverbial million-dollar question! What I can say is that if you are forced into embracing some light remodeling or repair work anyway, then why not investigate what you might be able to accomplish at the same time you are creating a dusty mess. Grouping several tasks together always makes better economic sense. If you were already toying with the idea of adding a sink or a half-bath anyway, piggy backing onto another project will save money in the long run.

As you plan, don't forget to examine state-of-the-art hardware. Doors can be made to slide, retract or recess back into a pocket. European-style hardware has led the way in the design of efficient space by making it possible to do the impossible.

Photo Credit: Photographs by Melanie Acevedo

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and author of "Small Space Living." Send questions and comments to her by email to christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.