The desire for decorative storage space takes on a different dimension in small spaces. This is particularly true in large urban areas, where home owners typically pay a premium for that slice of city life.

Whether it is San Francisco, Chicago, New York or Los Angeles,  renovators in big cities need some creativity when renovating their lofts, condominiums, or old row houses.

In this scenario, storage is a more valuable commodity than in suburban areas, where two car garages and basements provide ample space. When renovating in urban areas, look high and low for creative ways to build in functional storage space. Then pick one of two areas for decorative storage. Here are some tips:

·         Pick one area of the kitchen  -- a corner cabinet shelf or a shelf on the side of an island – and turn it into a decorative storage nook

·         Create a focal point in an adjacent breakfast area or the hallway leading into the kitchen.

·         Use built-in book shelves for storing a cookbook or glassware collection. Create a transition area that leads into the kitchen space.

·         Dress up an antique hutch with a crackled paint treatment or a fresh glaze and fit it in the kitchen or adjacent family room. Use it to display dishes, vases or candles.

·         If the ceiling height allows it, add 42-inch high kitchen wall cabinets. Put bold vases, plants or dishware on top of the cabinets with lighting to accentuate the area. Or, use the taller cabinets for general storage and leave a corner cabinet shelf for decorative elements.

As you consider what storage features to include, also think about the trade-offs. Someone living in a 1,200-square-foot loft, for example, may not want a built-in wine rack in the cabinetry. The two-foot by two-foot racks, which sell for $750 to $2,250, take away space from other types of storage.

The same guideline applies for cookbook storage. If shelving space is at a premium, consider putting two or three cookbooks in a prominent place and keeping the rest in a nearby drawer or shelf.