Let's break the stuff down. Paint- You said you were going to use it upstairs. Pick a time when you can paint and then paint. Putting this off is stealing your energy for other things. Most people hang onto paint cans indefinitely and never use the paint again. Use it or get rid of it. Tools - you need to find a way to store the tools since they have value and add value to your home when used. I would make the focus of the storage space for your tools. If the tools are organized and easy to find, you will be more likely to work on projects. You could even build a small workbench in there. Put shelves above it and to the right of it. Totally useful. Then you could hang curtains along the whole length. Ikea had a wire curtain rod for almost nothing. It's very indiscreet. If you don't sew, you could use bed sheets. On most sheets, the top hem is like a pocket which you could use to string the wire through, but if you are mildly handy with a sewing needle, you could sew rings at the top of the sheets and run the wire through the rings. That would make it easier to open and close. Keyboards and other misc computer equipment - What do you mean it's a hobby? Are you actively building new systems that use up the components on a regular basis? If you are not, but keep saying that you want to do it, think about it really hard. It's very common to get all excited about a new hobby, but then we lose interest in it. If you are not doing anything about the equipment, that means you really are not that into your hobby any more. Let the equipment go and you will gain space and open up your mind and heart for a new hobby that you will enjoy doing. Hanging on to an ex-hobby keeps us in the past and doesn't allow us to move forward to live the life we want to live. Tiles - You have no idea where you will use them. I know of a perfect place. If you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore or something similar in your area, donate the tiles. The tiles are taking up valuable space, not only in your house, but your head. Free them and it will free your mind, and your tiles will benefit someone who is less fortunate than you.

And put some serious storage on the back of the door for the stuff you use all the time (whether it's pantry stuff or cleaning stuff, or perhaps both, depending on what will fit). For mops and brooms, to keep them from flopping on the door when you open it, use the new Command broom holders and put one at the bottom too--I did that w/ my back-of-the-door Swiffer, and it was BRILLIANT (if I do say so myself). There are other options for pantry type things, but I'd vote to stay away from things like shoe pockets or even those Elfa baskets, and go for something deeper and sturdier. More like this: (In fact, look at that--is has a pull-out unit at the bottom--I bet that's an option for you!)

I don't have any accurate measurements yet, the builder is going to measure everything. I did put together a general height for parts of the area. My inspiration photo: I was hoping for some molding (3") along the bottom and 10-12" drawer faces. in order to get a drawer in the smallest space, it would have to be about a 6" drawer face, which seems undersized for the space if they were all that size. Without anything there (and with molding), it would still leave me with an large hole. It seems like starting at the 19" point would be better. That would leave me with a 7" wide space between the first drawer and the end.

Hello! I would agree that you should mimic your kitchen cabinets in style and color. The white will help to blend things in nicely. Also, try to match your hardware as well. The countertop idea of wood will look lovely! Open wood shelving is also very nice just like my photo below, BUT you can't clutter it. If you do, then don't do open shelving. It serves as more of a decorative piece than actual functional storage. That doesn't mean it can't be functional, but you want to put your pretty glasses here and a eye catching accessory like baskets or a platter or a pretty bowl. For the back drop I think that doing something fun like a wallpaper would be beautiful! Check out the other photo I have below.