What to Do with Dead Space in Your Home
(And Why It Doesn’t Have to Be a Clutter Graveyard)
You know the spots I’m talking about:
→ The back of the cabinet you can’t fully reach into.
→ The side of the closet that disappears behind a door frame.
→ That mysterious space where things go... to be forgotten.
These are what we in the organizing world call “dead zones.” They’re awkward. They’re not easily accessed. And if you’re not intentional, they quietly turn into clutter graveyards—housing stale dry goods, forgotten appliances, or clothes you haven’t seen in years.
But here’s the good news — Dead space doesn’t have to be wasted space. You just need to give it the right job!
Here are two ways I like to make dead zones work with me, not against me:
1. Use Dead Space for Repeat Items
...where what’s in the back doesn’t matter!
Think: paper towels, extra toiletries, glassware, or back stock of everyday items.
The key here is predictability. You don’t need to see or access the exact item in the back because they’re all the same—or at least similar enough.
For example: the cabinet of doom.
I have an upper corner kitchen cabinet with a deep section you cannot see into when the door is open. I used to keep pantry goods there, but things always went stale or attracted pantry moths (shudder).
The fix?
I swapped it with my glassware! Now I don’t have to worry about what’s behind what—when I run low, I grab from the back, which has revealed itself. And now my pantry items are all in-view in an alternate cabinet. *Chef's kiss*
Each shelf holds a different sub-category, but all still repeating: Vases and carafes, stemware, stemless glasses and beer glasses, everyday glasses
2. Use Dead Space for Purposeful Categories
...things that live entirely in that spot and are used intentionally.
If you don’t access something every day, but still want to know exactly where to find it when the time comes, this method works beautifully.
Case in point: My closet.
It has two awkward sides that disappear behind the door frame. I used to lose clothes there constantly. But after a revamp, here’s what I did:
→ Left side: a full-length hanging rod that extends into that “hidden” space. That’s where I keep my formalwear. I don’t need it often and I know exactly where to look when an occasion pops up.
→ Right side: I made use of the final 20% of space by rotating two stackable shoe shelves along the perpendicular wall. It created floor-to-ceiling vertical shoe storage without any construction or custom shelving.
When I need shoes, I shift a few hangers and can see the full lineup in one spot. I never forget what's there because it's all of my shoes!
Another plug for not just sticking to how things have traditionally been!
The key takeaway here?
You don’t need to eliminate every dead zone. Just be intentional about what goes there.
If it’s hard to access, let it house things you either:
✅ Grab in order (repeat items)
✅ Reach for with purpose (category-based items)
No more stale crackers or forgotten dresses.
So here’s your nudge: Go take a peek into that awkward cabinet or corner you’ve been avoiding. Is there something repeating or specific you can put there instead?!
Want a Little Extra Support?
If you’re feeling stuck—or just ready for some help getting those awkward spots working for you—I offer in-home and virtual organizing sessions in the Seattle, WA area and beyond. No judgment, just support tailored to your space, your pace, and your priorities.
💬 Reach out here to schedule a free discovery call.
Let’s make your home work a little better for the way you actually live!
