30 Small Apartment Storage Ideas to Maximize Space
By Maria Sabella, EDesign consultant and interior design expert
As an EDesign consultant with over six years of experience in the interior design and staging industries, I’ve worked with numerous clients who struggle to optimize their small apartment’s storage space. The lack of space can be overwhelming, but with a few simple and inexpensive tips, you can easily maximize your space and create a clutter-free home.
Whether you’re dealing with a tiny bathroom vanity, limited kitchen cabinet space, or a small closet, we’ve compiled 30 clever ideas to help you add function and create more storage space in even the tiniest of apartments.
01. Switch to Slim Hangers
Slim, nonslip hangers are a must-have for small closets. Not only do they give your closet a streamlined look, but they also create more hanging room. Ditch those bulky wood and plastic hangers and make the switch to slim hangers.
02. Utilize Wall Space
Maximize storage space by hanging items such as hats, scarves, jewelry, and belts on the walls. This method will free up shelf and drawer space and keep your favorite items conveniently on hand.
03. Free Up Cabinet Space
If your cabinets are bursting at the seams, prioritize what goes inside them. Hang items like pots and pans on a wall-mounted rack to free up cabinet space and keep your cooking essentials easily accessible by the stove.
04. Hide Clutter in Baskets
Wicker baskets are a versatile storage tool that can be used in various parts of your home. Use them to quickly clean up clutter or hold everyday items such as shoes or seasonal accessories in your entryway.
05. Use a Storage Ottoman
A storage ottoman is a multipurpose furniture piece that serves as a coffee table, spot to put up your feet, and hide storage space for items like blankets, books, or pillows.
06. Add a Coffee Table With Storage
Choose a coffee table that doubles as a storage vessel. This can be a round coffee table with a removable top or a coffee table with shelves or drawers.
07. Get Cleaning Tools Off the Ground
Cleaning tools like vacuums, mops, and brooms can take up too much space and become a tripping hazard. Mount them on the wall in a closet or laundry room to keep them easily accessible but hidden and out of the way.
08. Make Use of the Pantry Door
If your pantry consists of a small closet with a couple of shelves, instantly add extra space by installing an over-the-door storage rack with tiered shelves.
09. Hang Plants
For plant lovers, hanging plants from the ceiling or a slanted wall is a great way to add more greenery to your space without taking up surface area.
10. Bring in Risers
Place plastic or wood risers on pantry shelves to hold cans and other non-perishable goods. This makes it easier to find what you need without rummaging through the entire shelf.
11. Install a Tiered Shower Caddy
A tiered corner shower caddy is a great storage solution for bathrooms with limited or no storage space.
12. Add a Lazy Susan Turntable
Use a lazy Susan turntable to keep pantry items and condiments easily accessible and create more shelf space.
13. Double Closet Hanging Space
Double your closet hanging space by installing two rails at different heights. Use the top rail for tops and the lower for bottoms.
14. Store Shoes in an Over-the-Door Rack
Hang an over-the-door rack on your closet door to hold shoes, hats, gloves, or other items that don’t have a designated spot.
15. Throw Out Bulky Boxes
Empty out half-empty boxes taking up valuable space in your kitchen cabinets or pantry shelves and organize them in clear plastic containers.
16. Give Floating Shelves Double Function
Attach a hanging rack from the bottom of a floating shelf and use hooks to hang items like pots, pans, cooking utensils, and dish towels.
17. Bring in a Decorative Ladder
Add style and function with a decorative ladder that can hold towels in the bathroom or store blankets and quilts in the bedroom.
18. Organize Cabinets With Dividers
Incorporate organizational tools like dividers to hold pots, pans, and lids in your cabinets.
19. Hang an Entryway Shelf
Mount a shelf on the wall in your entryway to create a small surface area where you can drop your keys and other essentials.
20. Make Use of Wardrobe Doors
Hang hooks and storage organizers from the inside of your wardrobe doors to maximize storage space.
21. Install Floorto-Ceiling Shelves
When trying to maximize every inch of limited square footage, think vertically and make sure to hang floating shelves all the way up to the ceiling.
22. Use Multiple Organizational Containers
Use a variety of organizational containers like baskets, bins, and lazy Susans to squeeze as much out of your cabinets and shelves as possible.
23. Use a Radiator Cover
If you live in an old apartment with bulky radiators, give them function by hiding them under covers.
24. Roll in a Tiered Cart
A tiered storage cart is a compact, multipurpose home accessory that can be used in various parts of your home.
25. Corral Things in a Tray
Trays are versatile decorative accents that can be used to corral items by function.
26. Don’t Forget the Tops of the Cabinets
Use the space between the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling to store cookbooks, vases, and less frequently used cookware.
27. Purchase Multi-Purpose Furniture
Purchase multipurpose pieces that serve more than one function and double as storage, like a nesting coffee table.
28. Use Slim-Profile Shelves
Hang slim-profile shelves or picture ledges to hold books or frames without blocking the walking path.
29. Place Towels in a Basket
Place a basket on top of the toilet or vanity and fill it with folded or rolled hand towels.
30. Go Clear
Clear plastic containers provide practical storage and make storage easy to look through. They are also visually light, making a small closet appear larger and less cluttered.
By incorporating these 30 small apartment storage ideas into your daily life, you’ll be able to maximize your space and create a clutter-free home that you’ll love.
What are slim hangers for? Slim, nonslip hangers create more hanging room in your closet and give it a streamlined look.
How can I utilize wall space? Hang items like hats, scarves, jewelry, and belts on the walls to free up cabinet and drawer space.
What can I do with occupied cabinets? Hang items like pots and pans on a wall-mounted rack to free up cabinet space.
What are wicker baskets useful for? Baskets can be used to clean up clutter or hold items like shoes or seasonal accessories.
What are storage ottomans? Storage ottomans serve as coffee tables, footrests, and hide storage for items like blankets, books, or pillows.
What kind of coffee table is best for storage? Choose a coffee table with a removable top or with built-in shelves and drawers.
How can I store cleaning tools? Mount cleaning tools like vacuums, mops, and brooms on the wall to keep them accessible but hidden.
How can I increase space in my pantry? Install an over-the-door storage rack with tiered shelves on the pantry door.
What is a good idea for hanging plants in small spaces? Hanging plants from the ceiling or slanted walls adds greenery without taking up floor space.
How can risers help with pantry organization? Risers on pantry shelves make reaching items easier and maximize space.
What is a tiered shower caddy? A tiered corner shower caddy provides storage for bathrooms with limited space.
How does a lazy Susan turntable help in organization? A lazy Susan makes pantry items and condiments accessible and creates more shelf space.
How can you double closet hanging space? Install two rails at different heights to separate tops and bottoms.
What is an over-the-door rack useful for? Hang shoes, hats, gloves, or other items on over-the-door racks in closets.
What is the benefit of using clear plastic containers in cabinets? Clear containers help organize and make storage easy to see, reducing clutter.
How can hanging racks be used on floating shelves? Attach a hanging rack to the bottom of floating shelves to hang items like pots, pans, utensils, and dish towels.
What is a decorative ladder useful for? A decorative ladder can hold towels in bathrooms or store blankets and quilts in bedrooms.
How can dividers be used in cabinets? Use dividers to hold pots, pans, and lids in cabinets.
What is an entryway shelf? An entryway shelf mounted on the wall provides a small surface area for keys and essentials.
How can wardrobe doors be used for storage? Hang hooks and storage organizers from inside wardrobe doors.
What are floating shelves ideal for in small spaces? Floating shelves hung up to the ceiling can maximize vertical space.
Why should I use multiple organizational containers? Use a mix of baskets, bins, and lazy Susans to maximize storage in cabinets and shelves.
What is a radiator cover? A radiator cover can hide bulky radiators while adding functionality.
What is a tiered storage cart? A tiered storage cart is a compact and multi-purpose accessory that can be used for various purposes。
How can trays be used in small spaces? Trays can decoratively hold items by function.
How can I maximize space under cabinets? Use the space between the tops of cabinets and the ceiling to store infrequently used items.
What is multipurpose furniture? Multipurpose furniture, like a nesting coffee table, serves more than one function and includes storage.
What are slim-profile shelves? Slim-profile shelves or picture ledges take up less space and can hold books or frames without obstructing aisles.
Where can a towel basket be used? A basket on top of a toilet or vanity can store folded or rolled hand towels.
Why use clear plastic containers in closets? Clear plastic containers provide practical storage and make a small closet look larger and less cluttered.
