In an Atlanta home built just after the Civil War, Glenn Storie and Jamie Walters turned a run-of-the-mill stairwell into a fully equipped wet bar that includes: • A marble sink area, wine chiller, and icemaker to keep guests’ cocktail glasses brimming.

• A butler’s pantry opposite the sink that tucks discreetly into a shallow niche alongside the brick chimney.
• A full-size stainless-steel refrigerator, housed in a newly built alcove in the hallway.
• Stock cabinets modified to give the look of custom pieces at a fraction of the cost.

BRING DEAD SPACE TO LIFE
Most homes, regardless of square footage, have useful pockets of space that sit idle. The usefulness of your home’s dead spaces might depend on whether you can bring electrical or plumbing service to the area. Your contractor will be able to advise you. Here is where to look for opportunities to live larger without adding on.

• The tapered space under a staircase can house a bar, a computer station, or a small home office.
• Many homes have triangular “pockets” between upstairs walls and the roof framing: these areas make great built-in storage that doesn’t intrude on floor space.
• Upper walls around the perimeter of a room often are empty, except in the kitchen. Wall-mounted shelves or cabinets can take advantage of this space.
• Idle corners, especially in large rooms, can add or differentiate functions with simple wall partitions or built-ins.

Copyright 2007 by Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. All rights reserved.
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