The One Storage DIY Everyone Will Be Doing This Summer

Let the wallpaper do the hard work.

By Zoë Sessums

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green wall with arched shelf and striped background
In Louisa Pierce's Nashville home, a collection of beloved ceramics are on display in this arched and striped shelf. The paint and pattern makes a utilitarian space pop. Photography by Skye Parrott

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The DIY of this summer might not even involve a trip to the lumber yard. According to Yelp’s newly released 2026 Summer Home and Outdoor Trends Report, released in partnership with Hema Persad of Sagrada Studio, Americans are shifting away from cookie-cutter interiors and toward spaces that feel tailored to individual hobbies, routines, and aesthetics—but without committing to a full renovation. And nowhere is that more apparent than our storage.

Compared to last year, searches for built-in cabinets on Yelp have skyrocketed by 13,389 percent, while project requests for cabinet painting are up 40 percents. Requests for pre-made cabinet installation have also climbed 29 peercent, signaling that renters and homeowners alike are looking for ways to achieve the look of bespoke millwork on a more realistic budget. Furniture assembly requests, meanwhile, jumped 175 percents, suggesting many are hacking semi-custom solutions with DIY upgrades to ready-made pieces.

green shelves within wood cabinetry
In the Pasadena home of Salad For President’s Julia Sherman, built-in cabinets provide plenty of storage and an unexpected green of shelves adds another layer of fun. Photography by Yoshihiro Makino

“People want smart, stylish ways to make the most of their living spaces,” says Tara Lewis, a trend expert at Yelp. “While searches on Yelp for built-in cabinets are on the rise, our data shows this trend isn’t just on mood boards. People are taking real action by submitting project requests to local pros for services like pre-made cabinet installation and cabinet painting.”

dark bookshelves with wallpapered background
IKEA shelves have an entirely new look with the addition of paint on the outside and wallpaper on the inside. Photography by Hema Persad
blue sofa and white shelves with wallpapered background in living room
In the library of textile designer Aelfie Oudghiri’s Long Island home, peel-and-stick wallpaper becomes an artful backdrop for books and potted plants. Photography by Heidi’s Bridge

Paint is a no-brainer, but Persad’s favorite trick is wallpaper. Lining the backs of shelves or cabinets adds depth and color where you least expect it. Even the most recognizable flat-pack storage system will feel layered and high-end. Pro tip: “Be sure to stick with vinyl or paper, not grasscloth or natural materials for this application,” notes the designer. She also recommends unique hardware and hinges, paneling, and hand-painted details. Suddenly, your basic cabinetry is anything but.

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Zoë Sessums

Contributing Editor

Zoë Sessums is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Sight Unseen, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, and New York Magazine. Over nearly a decade in media, she’s covered everything from home tours and renovations to product guides and newsletters. She has a background in journalism and creative writing and is motivated in roughly equal measure by good design, good pizza, and a very solid pair of shoes. She lives in Midcoast Maine.

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