Living in a compact apartment or house can feel liberating, but it can also present a challenge: storage. With less square footage, it’s essential to maximize every inch of space you have. Here are five top storage ideas to help you transform your small space into an organized haven:
Utilize Vertical Space
Look up! Walls are prime real estate for storage in small spaces. Install shelves, cabinets, or a pegboard to take advantage of vertical areas. This is especially useful in kitchens and bathrooms, where you can store dishes, cups, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. In our tiny home we have utilized almost any space we can to help with storage. We have wall baskets, tea bag holders and additional shelves anywhere we can so we don’t waste a bit of storage we need.
- Magnetic Tea Bag Holders ~ These are great for tea bags but also useful for small items that can easily get lost without their own place.
- Key Holders ~ These are great for keys, but we also keep Tucker’s poop bags and my pepper spray there so they are easily accessed by the door.
- Wall Baskets/Cabinet Baskets~ With these awesome additions the storage skies the limit. These can be used on any wall or cabinet to store a multitude of items.
- Cabinet undermount drawers ~ We utilize these everywhere! Under the kitchen cabinets for spices, quick snacks and towels. In the bedroom for extra cords, remotes and jewelry.
- Banquet Baskets ~ There’s no specific basket for these, but for us, I purchased a medium sized metal basket with handles and store it on the seat by the wall of my banquet. Keith and I use it for our computers and “work” stuff we need each day. These were one of the best storage ideas for us because it keeps it all organized and it’s easy to move if we need to but yet its small enough to be out of the way.
Embrace Multifunctional Furniture
Every piece of furniture should work double-duty in a small space. Ottomans with hidden storage compartments can hold blankets, books, or games. Consider a futon that folds into a couch or a bed with built-in drawers underneath. Our tiny home has a ton of storage under the bed, so we utilize storage containers to separate off-season clothing, extra blankets, paperwork or anything else that needs to be accessed infrequently.
Think Outside The Box
Don’t limit yourself to traditional storage solutions.
- Corner shelves can maximize unused space, providing a spot for plants, books or decorative items.
- A magnetic wall holds photos, paperwork or magnetic baskets for pens, pencils and such.
- Pillow shams are great for storing sweatshirts, extra blankets and make a way for you to have extra back support if your sitting up in bed.
Divide And Conquer
Dividers and organizers are your best friends in small space living.
- Shelf Risers utilize vertical space in closets and kitchen. We live in a 21ft trailer and our closet space was limited. These doubled the amount of usable space and even gave me a little bit extra in case I find a must-have tshirt.
- Drawer dividers mean I don’t have to take a thousand things out to just find the thermometer. In small space living, it’s important to have easy access to things without having to unload an entire drawer on your very limited counter space.
- Clear Containers in your cabinets make it easier to see what you have without removing everything. These also keep things contained if you have to find that rarely used item at the back of the cabinet.
Declutter Regularly
The key to staying organized in a small space is to avoid letting clutter accumulate. Schedule regular decluttering sessions to get rid of unused items. Donate clothes you don’t wear, recycle old magazines, and be ruthless about anything that doesn’t spark joy (or serve a purpose). Additionally, our motto is “one thing in means one thing out.” Don’t add to your space without removing something that you don’t need or rarely use. You’ll find if you have to get rid of something you may not really want the item you were going to buy.
By implementing these storage ideas, you can create a functional and stylish living space, even with limited square footage. Remember, small space living is all about being resourceful and maximizing what you have. With a little creativity, you can turn your compact home into a haven of comfort and organization.
