Fortunately, there’s a storage hack to suit every single room, many of which take mere minutes and few materials to implement. If you’re sick of tripping over unnecessary clutter, check out this list of 25 storage hacks that’ll have your space feeling twice its size in no time!
Storage hacks in your living area
Your living area is the first thing you (and your guests) see when they enter your home. Here are a few storage hacks that can help tidy up the space or even make your storage part of your decor.
1. Entryway garment rack
Let’s face it, apartment closets are prime real estate. So opt to free up your coat closet for more important items than coats and umbrellas by using an attractive garment rack for the purpose, instead.
When placed in a corner and nicely organized it’ll provide an easy access spot for outerwear that often has a hard time fitting in a standard coat closet, anyway!
2. Under the couch
Most couches have at least a little space underneath, so utilize that otherwise wasted area to store things that can’t be thrown away, but don’t need to be retrieved too often.
For example, owner’s manuals, extra remote controls and old magazines that you simply can’t part with. Bonus points if your couch is elevated enough to accommodate small storage boxes underneath!
3. Hanging planters
Nothing adds a homey feel quite like a plant or two, but bulky pots take up a significant amount of floor space. Instead, install a few hanging planters to free up floor space and add extra greenery-based dimension to your home. Just make sure to protect whatever lies beneath when watering.
4. Living space eating console
If you’d rather repurpose the typical dining area into an office or craft space or whatever, ditch the traditional table and instead add a long, rectangular console piece behind the living room couch. Paired with bar stools, this inexpensive piece of furniture easily helps the area pull double-duty by adding dining functionality to an otherwise couch-focused space.
5. Wall-mounted mail sorter
Stop cluttering up the coffee table with mail detritus. Instead, select a wall-mounted mail sorter to keep letters and the like contained and organized. Bonus points if it has key hooks!
6. Hang that bike
It’s time to get that useful, but bulky bicycle out of your entryway and into a spot of its own. Choose an out of the way spot and hang it on the wall. Done right, it could even double as whimsical decor.
Storage hacks in the bathroom
Your bathroom should be a sanctuary, not a place to pile your unwanted clothes or various loose items. These storage hacks can help make that space feel more tranquil.
7. Wall outlet shelves
If you think of the area over electrical outlets as wasted space, think again. Handy wall outlet shelves are easy to install and provide an extra bit of counter-like area, perfect for a decorative knick-knack, soap dispenser or toothbrush. This add-on is ideal for the bathroom that never seems to have enough counter space.
8. Cutlery organizer for toiletries
You know those kitchen cutlery organizers where people keep forks, spoons and knives? They’re a cheap and effective way to sort bathroom staples that often wind up in a big, messy pile, like dental care products and hair ties/clips.
9. Cabinet door hooks for styling tools
Grab a couple of adhesive hooks and make the inside of that bathroom cabinet door instantly functional. Simply place a few strategically and enjoy finally having a dedicated spot to store hairdryers, straighteners and such.
Plus, cords will stop getting tangled all the time because you’ll have to wind them around properly, unlike when they just get shoved in a drawer.
10. Bathroom door organizer
Clearly, countertop and cabinet space are in short supply in most apartments. Grab a shoe or other door-hanging organizer and set it up on the back of the bathroom door, which is typically just wasted space that hardly anyone ever sees.
Use each compartment to clearly store necessary items like lotion, air freshener, styling tools and products, and so on. If you really want to go the extra mile add labels!
11. Spice racks
This is one storage hack that can actually be used in any room of the home, but it is extra helpful in the bathroom. Wall-mounted spice racks are great for storing cosmetics and skincare products, once again freeing up counter space for other stuff.
However, they can also be used in the bedroom or living room to hold books or other items. And of course, in the kitchen to actually hold spices, as they were originally intended.
12. Over-the-toilet space saver
Lacking a spot for medications, hair care products and other toiletries? An over-the-toilet space saver is a removable, easy-to-install bit of storage brilliance that’ll add tons of functionality to any bathroom.
Storage hacks in the kitchen
Any chef will tell you: A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen. Get cooking with these kitchen storage hacks.
13. Magnetic strips
Magnetic strips are all the rage for making kitchen counters less cluttered and more functional. They’re ideal for holding up knives and metallic utensils using otherwise largely ignored backsplash wall space, totally eliminating the need for that bulky knife block and making it easier than ever to locate the perfect ladle or stirring spoon.
14. Hanging fruit basket
Who says a fruit basket has to clutter up the counter? Instead, mount a hanging basket to store all of your room temperature appropriate fresh produce.
15. Sink rack
The airspace over the sink is largely wasted, so grab a tiered rack to easily add dimensional capabilities. You’ll still be able to wash dishes, plus there’ll be a built-in spot for them to dry out.
Storage hacks in the bedroom and closet
Just because you don’t have a huge closet doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with storage. Try one of these hacks to tidy up the bedroom.
16. Floating shelves
Big, bulky bookshelves are simply not suited to the average apartment. Instead, look to fill otherwise empty spaces with floating shelves. One often under-utilized spot is over door frames, the perfect place for framed photos and beloved knick-knacks.
Floating shelves can also make unused corners both attractive and more functional. If you’re feeling really motivated, taking shelves all the way around the top of the room will add depth and storage space galore.
17. Bed risers
You probably have at least a little storage space under your bed, but who couldn’t use more? Bed risers are an inexpensive tool for raising the average bed off the ground, leading to more space to store things you don’t necessarily need all the time, but can’t get rid of, like sweaters, coats and ski gear.
18. Under the mattress
Everyone has an extra set or two of sheets and pillowcases. Instead of wasting prime closet space on them, simply lift up your mattress and store underneath.
19. Jewelry cork board
An old bulletin cork board (perhaps with a decorated frame to add a bit of style) is an easy way to organize those dozens of earrings and necklaces. Just grab a box of push pins (if needed, based on the piece) and sort so they’re simple to spot.
20. Pegboard
Pegboards are a popular garage organization tool, but they can just as effectively straighten out the typical closet. Cheap to purchase and easy to install, use a pegboard in the closet or bedroom to more efficiently hang items like purses and scarves.
21. Towel bar
If a pegboard doesn’t appeal, opt instead for a towel bar or two to store handbags, scarves and anything else that requires hanging.
22. Soda tab hangers
Start saving tabs from soda cans to drastically improve your closet’s functionality. Simply hang a tab over a standard clothes hanger. Then use the other tab hole to support another hanger. This can be done three, four or even five times!
23. Shower curtain rings for tank tops
If you have a million tank tops, but don’t want to use a million hangers, simply grab a package of shower curtain rings. Hang them on one clothes hanger, then hang a tank top from each ring.
Soon, you’ll have a row of happily organized tanks that take up a fraction of the space they normally would.
24. Binder clips for cords
If your bedroom desk is a tangle of unsightly cords, simply grab a few binder clips to fix the problem. All you have to do is affix the clip part to the back of the desk, then use the metal “arms” to hold up the end that plugs into the device in question. The cord is usable but without the mess.
25. Crown molding shoe rack
If your closet simply won’t house your shoe collection, but you don’t want the bedroom to look a mess, grab a few pieces of inexpensive crown molding and affix to a bedroom wall. Then hang shoes by the heels and enjoy!
Go forth and organize with these small space storage hacks
It’s not necessary to do without or purge heavily just because you live in a small space. A little bit of vision and creativity is all it takes to maximize any apartment’s potential.
Happy organizing!
