Does Storage Increase Home Value? Here’s What Buyers Really Care About

When you’re thinking about selling your home, you probably focus on the big stuff: a fresh coat of paint, updated kitchen counters, or a new roof. But one of the most overlooked upgrades that actually boosts resale value is something simple-storage.

Storage isn’t just about tidiness-it’s about perceived space

Buyers don’t just look at square footage. They look at how much stuff they can fit. A 1,800-square-foot home with built-in closets, a finished attic, and a garage with shelving feels bigger than a 2,200-square-foot home with cluttered corners and no place to put shoes.

A 2024 National Association of Realtors survey found that 73% of buyers say adequate storage is a top-three deciding factor when making an offer. That’s higher than granite countertops (68%) and hardwood floors (65%). Why? Because storage solves a real, daily problem. Nobody wants to live in a house where they have to stack laundry on the couch or store seasonal items in the garage under a tarp.

What kinds of storage add the most value?

Not all storage is created equal. Some upgrades give you a big return on investment. Others barely move the needle.

• Walk-in closets-Especially in master bedrooms. A well-designed walk-in with double rods, pull-out shelves, and lighting can add 5-8% to your home’s perceived value. Buyers see this as a luxury, not a necessity.
• Finished attic or basement storage-If you’ve turned unused space into dry, accessible storage with shelving and lighting, that’s like adding a free room. Appraisers don’t count it as square footage, but buyers do. A finished attic with built-in cabinets can return 70-85% of the cost at resale.
• Garage organization systems-Wall racks, ceiling hoists, and labeled bins make a garage feel intentional. Homes with messy garages often get lowballed because buyers assume the rest of the house is just as disorganized.
• Under-stair storage-Custom drawers or cabinets built under stairs are a hidden gem. They’re cheap to install and feel like a designer touch.
• Built-in pantry-A walk-in pantry with pull-out shelves beats a cluttered cabinet. Buyers with families see this as a game-changer.

On the flip side, free-standing shelves, plastic bins on the floor, or storage units in the driveway? Those don’t count. Buyers don’t see them as permanent features-they see them as signs of disorganization.

How much does storage actually add to your home’s price?

It’s not about adding dollars-it’s about removing doubt.

A 2023 Zillow study analyzed over 12,000 homes sold in the U.S. Homes with visible, high-quality storage solutions sold for an average of 6.3% more than comparable homes without them. The biggest jump? In mid-priced homes ($300K-$500K), where buyers are more price-sensitive and storage becomes a tiebreaker.

Here’s a real example: A home in Columbus, Ohio, listed at $385,000 sat on the market for 98 days. The sellers added a custom closet system in the master bedroom, installed overhead racks in the garage, and built a pantry out of a former coat closet. They relisted at $399,000-and sold in 11 days. The buyer’s agent said: "They didn’t upgrade the kitchen, but the storage made it feel like a home you could live in for 20 years."

What storage upgrades cost-and what they return

You don’t need to break the bank. Here’s a quick breakdown of common projects and their average ROI:

DIY projects like garage racks or closet organizers have the highest ROI because they’re cheap and make a huge visual difference. The key isn’t spending more-it’s spending smart.

What buyers notice-and what they ignore

When buyers walk through your home, they’re not looking at the brand of your storage system. They’re looking at three things:

1. Is it accessible? Can they reach the top shelf? Is there room to open a door? Are bins labeled or just stacked?
2. Is it clean? Dusty shelves, broken hardware, or mildew in a basement storage area scream neglect.
3. Is it intentional? Does it look like someone planned for storage-or just crammed things into corners?

One agent in Austin told me about a listing where the sellers left a note in every closet: "This drawer holds winter coats. This shelf is for shoes." It wasn’t expensive, but it made the home feel cared for. They got an offer 12% over asking.

Storage mistakes that hurt your value

Some "upgrades" actually turn buyers off:

• Overcrowding-Packing every closet to the ceiling looks like hoarding, not organization.
• Hidden storage-If your best storage is behind a locked door or in a crawl space, buyers won’t find it. It doesn’t count.
• Low-quality materials-Flimsy plastic bins, warped shelves, or rusted hardware signal cheap fixes.
• Ignoring moisture-Basement or attic storage without proper ventilation or dehumidifiers will raise red flags for mold risk.

One homeowner in Chicago spent $4,000 on a custom closet system-but used particleboard instead of solid wood. The buyer’s inspector flagged it as "temporary" and knocked $7,000 off the offer. The lesson? Quality matters more than quantity.

How to showcase your storage to buyers

Don’t assume buyers will notice your storage. You have to point it out.

• Take photos of empty, well-lit closets and pantries. Use natural light.
• Include storage in your listing description: "Walk-in master closet with custom organizers," "Garage with overhead storage racks," "Built-in pantry with pull-out shelves."
• During showings, leave closet doors open. Don’t hide the good stuff.
• Use small signs or labels inside drawers ("Winter Sweaters," "Holiday Decor") to show how it’s meant to be used.

One listing in Portland had a video tour that panned slowly through each storage space. The video got 3x more views than other listings in the neighborhood-and two offers within 48 hours.

Bottom line: Storage is a silent salesperson

You don’t need a new kitchen to sell your home faster and for more money. You just need to make sure buyers can imagine living there-without tripping over boxes or wondering where their winter coats will go.

Storage doesn’t just make your house look bigger. It makes it feel safer, smarter, and more cared for. And in a competitive market, that’s worth more than a fancy backsplash.

Start small: Clean out one closet. Install a shelf in the garage. Label a pantry. You won’t need to spend thousands to see a difference. Buyers will notice. And they’ll pay for it.

Next step: Pick one storage area in your home. Clear it out. Clean it. Add simple shelving or labels. Take a photo. That’s your starting point.