When your space is lacking, well, actual space, finding creative storage ideas comes with the (shoe box-sized) territory—if you don’t want to simply get rid of all your stuff, that is. While you may need a contractor more than a magician to accomplish a “now you see it, now you don’t” disappearing act with all your piles of stuff, there are some steps short of sorcery that you can take to bring tidiness into your home.
If you want everything you own (or plan to buy) to have a designated home without taking up too much room on your countertop or floor, look to these storage ideas for small spaces—which should provide you with both stylish vignettes and peace of mind.
Create Multipurpose Spaces
In tight quarters, every inch counts—and, usually, those inches have to pull double duty. A kitchen also functions as a dining space; a bedroom can moonlight as an office during the day; and a living room tends to be the most multi-purpose space of them all. Unless you’re living like a minimalist monk, you’ll have to get creative about what goes where.
“The best approach I’ve found to organizing small spaces is to first live in them for a while before diving into any major changes,” says YouTuber Alexandra Gater, whose channel is full of DIY ideas for your home. “Doing this will help you understand how you naturally use these spaces on a daily basis.”
Over time, you might glean that a shelving unit is best for a specific corner, or that hooks are ideal for another. Bins and baskets will likely come in handy, of course, but don’t forget to think outside those boxes too, per architect Rachel Robinson of firm Dunham Robinson. “Embrace the idea that storage solutions can actually be multipurpose, adding a sense of flexibility and openness,” Robinson says. From a table that doubles as wall art to bookshelves that work as room dividers, read on for our list of the most versatile storage solutions.
Add a Shoe Rack to an Entryway
Gater lives in an apartment that opens to a landing at the base of a staircase, so she needed a shoe storage solution that wouldn’t pose a tripping hazard. She also wanted a spot for sunglasses, keys, and miscellaneous items to grab while heading out the door. To make matters even more complicated? The furnishing she chose had to be narrow in order to match the entryway’s tight footprint. An Ikea shoe cabinet checked off all the boxes.
“When I redesigned this entryway, I had lived with it being disorganized so long that I knew exactly what needed to change to make it work for my routines,” Gater says. “Because I tailored the solutions to these habits, the space became incredibly functional. Now, nearly a year after the makeover, it’s stayed organized because everything has a designated place.”
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Introduce Seats That Do the Most (In a Good Way)
Storage benches are another stealthy way to keep clutter—from seasonal clothing to spare bed linens—at bay. The best designs liven up entryways, add some personality to the foot of your bed, or create a more dynamic seating arrangement in your living spaces. Even sectionals with lift-top chaises can help ensure the kids’ toys aren’t scattered across the living room and that you always have a spare throw blanket within reach.
If your lease or budget permits it, install a floating bench-shelf low along a wall, or have one fashioned from an inexpensive material like plywood and mounted the way BY Architects did in the room below. Seating that doesn’t clutter floor space? Check.
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Hook ‘Em
Looking for another highly functional way to maximize wall space? Renter-friendly wall hooks offer refuge to your jacket rotation so they’re not strewn across the floor or flung on a messy-looking armchair. The right designs can even turn your washroom towels into an artful display. Some of the systems we’ve found pull double duty with built-in shelving and attached mirrors for enhanced practicality.
Gater used wall hooks to store her partner’s skis on the wall rather than against it. The skis get plenty of use during the winter, but to keep them out of the way during the week, they’re mounted against the stairway wall—making the most out of an otherwise unused spot. (The same philosophy applies to surfboards, skateboards, or even a nice bike rack).
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Divide and Conquer
Studio dwellers, you might be seeking inventive ways to delineate your bedroom area from the living room space without putting up a wall. Stacking modular crates or even floating an open shelving unit can provide you with some needed division as well as some extra space to stash your pieces. Bookshelves are, after all, one of our most coveted decor-slash-storage-space hacks. Use them as a way to create separation while putting your fave trinkets and objects on display.
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Secure the Basket
Don’t underestimate the power of a good basket. Since they’re available in all shapes and sizes, you can use them to tuck away pretty much anything you don’t necessarily want your guests to see. Top off your basket with a throw, and no one will ever know that all of your takeout menus are jumbled in there. Since there’s nothing more satisfying than layering storage with—you guessed it—more storage, we recommend using a set to top off your shelving unit, or even to organize your wardrobe and pantry staples behind closed doors.
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Know When to Fold
In many small rooms, it would be crazy to consider making space for a full-size desk. But you can’t write that novel in bed (well, you could, but it sure would be nice to sit on a chair occasionally), which is where a fold-down desk comes in. Options like the Studio Secretary Desk by Montana Furniture put the “fun” in functional with an array of bright color options to liven up bare walls, while West Elm’s petite Mid-Century Mini Secretary Desk doesn’t require any installation.
The same philosophy could apply to your bedroom with a murphy bed or in your dining nook.
When Robinson was asked to renovate a 350-square-foot apartment in New York City, her team came up with a clever solution that made the small kitchen and dining area highly functional. “Our murphy table starts as the wood frame for a piece of art on the wall, and folds down to become a table that completely redefines the space as a dining room,” she says. “With other small spaces that need storage, we apply a similar creative approach.”
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Build a Better Closet
We can’t all be blessed with Carrie Bradshaw’s closet, in which case tapping into a bit of creativity is key. One way to achieve a high-end closet in a closetless space is turning to cabinet systems, which will allow you to easily compartmentalize—and access—clothes. (Pro tip: Ikea’s offerings are highly customizable, making them a great place to start). For a less involved solution, stylish clothing racks are a small, but meaningful way to bring order to your abundant wardrobe.
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Don’t Forget the Kitchen
Not feeling inspired to cook due to a cluttered countertop surface? A great way to streamline your prized countertop space is to hang up your pots and pans. You could also tuck your extra plates and all the gadgets you purchased during your celery juice phase in the cabinets of a kitchen island. You’ll never wonder where to store your holiday placemats again. Plus, just think of all the extra prep space you’ll have for cooking the next big feast.
But if your quarters are just that tight, consider attaching a butcher block for that extra bit of surface area. We hate our ingredients falling to the ground because of a lack of space just as much as you do. But there’s a solution: Opt for one with different levels (or DIY this and create your own mini shelving unit).
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