how can i add storage to my small apartment

Here are some ideas to increase storage space in a small apartment:

• Go through every closet and room in your apartment and weed out things you have not used in over a year (excluding seasonal items)
• Sell or donate these items before the week is up. There is some urgency to doing this because the longer you keep them, the less space you have, and you will get tempted to hang on to them.

Full Answer

What are the best small apartment storage ideas?

Some of the best small apartment storage ideas are all about maximizing your closet space. Clean out your closet, declutter, and install extra shelving. Adding more box organizers can also help you make the most of your closet. That’ll keep your wardrobe tidy year-round. 2. Add Floating Shelves and Hooks

How to save space in a small apartment?

Go vertical when you want to save space in the small apartment! Floating modular units are currently a favorite among homeowners as they help you in creating additional storage space whenever needed. If you fall on the messy side of the spectrum, then you can opt for closed floating cabinets in the bedroom to give it a more organized appeal.

How do you organize your belongings in a small apartment?

Taking a close and thoughtful look can help you find the right place for all your belongings, even in a small apartment. There are two areas in your bedroom that can be great for storage — your closet and under your bed. Maximizing space in your closet is possible with a variety of storage ideas.

How do I maximize my closet space in a small apartment?

Maximize Your Closet Space Some of the best small apartment storage ideas are all about maximizing your closet space. Clean out your closet, declutter, and install extra shelving. Adding more box organizers can also help you make the most of your closet. That’ll keep your wardrobe tidy year-round.

How to increase storage space in kitchen?

The best way to increase storage space in your kitchen is to add more counter space. Make use of all free space: Large bowls have a lot of space in them. Condense your Tupperware or dishes by putting smaller objects inside of larger ones. Appliances for storage: No cabinets, no problem!

How to store framed pictures in an apartment?

Trade in the cute, framed pictures you've put up on one wall and install shelves for instant storage. Deeper shelves can hold small bins, masking the appearance of anything that's not so cute, and special corner shelving units nestle in nicely. There are so many shelving ideas out there, it'll be easy to incorporate a few in your apartment.

What is the goal of a smaller living space?

When working with a smaller living space, your goal, according to Michelle Crouch writing for Reader's Digest, should be to remove clutter not create more storage space. Clutter can manifest as items you want to keep, but not display, as well as things that you no longer need.

What keepsakes can you keep in a storage unit?

Certain keepsakes you want to hold onto can spend some time in a storage unit until you have a larger home. Paper records, greeting cards, mementos from special events (that aren't that special anymore) and old letters from past relationships are all things that no longer need to follow you from place to place.

What to do after everything gets put away?

After everything gets put away. Now that you've found a spot in your apartment for all your stuff, it's time to decorate. Just because you have a small space doesn't mean every nook and cranny has to go to holding stuff. Leave a little room to make things pretty and transform your small space into the perfect home.

Where to store hair dryer and straightener?

Small storage containers on the inside of your bathroom cabinets: A great place for your hairdryer and straightener

Where is the best place to organize small spaces?

Overlooked areas ideal for extra storage include above the toilet and inside cabinets .

11 Affordable Ways To Add More Storage To Your Apartment

Most renters are looking for ways to add more space and storage to their apartments. Apartment layouts can often vary in size and places where you can keep your belongings. It isn’t fun to live in a space that feels highly cluttered, and chances are you will feel better when things are organized.

1 – A Storage Bed

One of the best and most effective ways to store more in your apartment is to invest in a storage bed. There are a variety of designs and options available so that you can find one that works for you and your budget. The benefit of a storage bed is that it frees up a lot of room for extra belongings that will also be completely hidden.

2 – Behind The Door Storage

Don’t underestimate the storage space that can be utilized behind your doors! Behind the door storage options is a great way to create more room. There is a variety of behind-the-door hooks, racks, and bags that you can use. This type of storage is perfect in the bathroom for towels and toiletries.

3 – Bathroom Ladder Shelf

Bathroom ladder shelves are a new way to elevate the storage in your bathroom. It’s likely that if you live in a small apartment, your bathroom doesn’t have many storage options. Bathroom ladder shelves are built to go directly above the toilet and utilize the vertical area above.

4 – Additional Clothes Racks

Clothing is often the culprit of taking up a lot of space! If you’re finding that you have clothing everywhere, consider an additional clothing rack. Clothing racks can add another option for clothes storage and also make for a great decoration piece. They can be styled to fit the feel of your apartment and realistically look good in any room.

5 – Add Extra Hooks

A hack for adding more storage and avoiding clutter is to add more hooks to your space. Most disorganization or lack of storage can come from not having enough options to hang objects. With hooks like Command Hooks being so inexpensive, they are a fantastic option for becoming more organized.

6 – Use Rolling Storage Racks

One massive advantage of rolling storage racks is that they’re portable and can be moved around if needed. Mobile storage is brilliant because it can allow you to move it where you need more space.

1. On the Door Storage

A shoe holder that hangs on the inside of a door of practically any room can provide lots of storage. Hang a shoe holder on your bathroom door to store your shampoo bottles, toothpaste, washcloths, curling iron, blow dryer and make-up. If you want to see what you have at a glance, buy a model with clear plastic pockets.

2. Seating That Serves a Double Purpose

One idea is to get an inexpensive, upholstered loveseat or bench. Simply lift the lid for a place to store linens, books, candles, magazines and more. Use this furniture as seating in your bedroom, living room or another room. There are so many styles and colors available that you should be able to find one that fits your apartment’s décor.

3. Collapsible Furniture

Getting a couple pieces of collapsible furniture is a great way to have access to tables and chairs while keeping some open space in your apartment. A collapsible table for your kitchen gives you and your friends a place to sit and enjoy dinner together. When you’re finished, simply collapse the table and lay it against a wall.

4. Rent a Storage Facility

If you plan to only stay in your apartment temporarily, you may have a lot of items you can not use in a small condensed space but want to save for when you have a home. For example, a large armoire handed down through the generations may be invaluable to you, but it can take up a lot of space in a small apartment.

5. Put Up Shelves

Shelves can hold a lot more than books these days. You can use shelves to hold your spices leaving more space on your countertops. Use shelves for office supplies, towels and small clothing items. That way you have access to these items while keeping them from piling up on tables or the floor.

6. Put Up a Pegboard

When you think of a pegboard, you may envision a garage. But, this storage solution can be useful in your apartment as well. Put a pegboard up in your kitchen so you can hang up your pots and pans. If you have mugs or teacups, hang those up, too. If you have colorful dishes, they can become a highlight of your décor.

7. Bike Storage

If you have a bicycle, you know that it takes up a good chunk of space in your apartment. Plus, maybe visitors have a habit of running into it and knocking it over.

1. Bathroom

If having a small bedroom wasn’t frustrating enough, it’s the small bathroom that goes with it that can really get your blood boiling. This tiny space in your small apartment lacks any hidden storage for your toiletries and bathroom supplies.

2. Bedroom

You can’t give up having a bed in your bedroom. After all, this one piece of furniture is in the name for the room. However, this doesn’t mean your bed has to take over the entire room.

3. Closet

It doesn’t matter how big your closet is; there’s never enough closet space. While many people focus on shelving and hanging their clothes, this leaves valuable space left untouched. For example, look down at the ground. This is the perfect place for a shoe rack.

5. Kitchen

Don’t let your small kitchen stifle your love of cooking. A lack of counter space means you may need a rolling cart with a fold-out countertop. This gives you more workspace when you need it, but it’s also an island that easily tucks away when you aren’t cooking.

6. Living Room

Your living room is the space where you entertain guests. It needs to be presentable so that your guests don’t feel like they are in your private personal space.

7. Pantry

If your small apartment has a pantry, then embrace your good fortune by making the most of this extra storage space. However, if you have a studio apartment, you may need an extra storage unit for your small items.

8. Shelf

Shelves are the easiest storage solution for making the most of your vertical space. If you have a tiny apartment, then stick with a floating shelf. These are open, allowing you to easily see behind the shelf to the wall behind it. This keeps your small space feeling large.

How to make storage space in a small apartment?

One of the easiest ways for creating storage space in a small apartment is simple; get rid of stuff. Let’s be honest; there are probably all sorts of things in your apartment you don’t need, want, or use. (Like, ever.) All of those extra things take up valuable space, so tossing, donating, or selling them is perfect. What you should try to do is only keep what you really like and use at least every so often. If something doesn’t fit those two criteria, give it the old heave-ho!

Do people use closets?

Closets are a godsend, there’s no doubt about that. The problem is, though, that most people don’t use them very well. They’re disorganized and, in some cases, a total mess. Even if they’re not messy, most people underutilize their closets. Below are a few of the best ways to maximize the space in all of your apartment’s closets:

What is the best thing to have for stashing stuff?

Chests and benches with hidden compartments are your best friends for stashing all sorts of stuff—and providing seats for friends and guests. Any time you can find something that has a dual purpose, all the better.

Why put baskets on top of pantry cabinets?

Instead, take inspiration from this petite London flat, which placed baskets atop a pantry cupboard to make storing items appear neat, intentional, and orderly.

Can I have a houseplant in my apartment?

Every home can have houseplants, no matter how small, especially with this sneaky trick. Above a door frame in a charming San Francisco apartment, you’ll find the perfect spot for a mini indoor garden, and this idea can be replicated anywhere you have an interior door or wall cut-out. This solution takes advantage of wasted space and still enables you to enjoy your plant babies—though you might have to get on a step-stool to water them!

Can you mount hooks on a wall?

You can also grab space on the back of a door. And if you can’t or don’t want to make holes in your walls, opt for a removable, self-adhesive option.

Can you rebuild stairs with pull out drawers?

This isn’ t a product, per se , but if you can do any construction at all in your home, consider rebuilding your stairs or a stair landing to include pull-out drawers. How James Bond of you!

Can you put a shoe rack on every door?

Over-the-door shoe racks are by no means chic, but they get the job done and use dead space in a constructive, creative way. You don’t have to put one of these on every door. Your bedroom or closet doors are probably enough, but you might also try an over-the-door towel rack in your bathroom, too.

Can curtains be used in a closet?

No proper closet? No problem. Curtains are the genius product hack here. You can install shelves, racks, and bins galore right onto your wall and then just use curtains on a tension rod to hide the evidence of this makeshift wardrobe. Visual clutter—gone in a second! These homeowners also tucked items like bags and such behind the long draperies on their windowsills. This is a great way to find space without looking like a total hoarder. You gotta do what you gotta do in tight quarters.

For the Small Living room

The small living room needs a careful balance between storage units and shelves and an open, charming ambiance that gives you a sense of spaciousness. It is smart to start from the entertainment unit in the living room that can help tuck away all the accessories, cables and everything else you might have in lying around.

Think Smart and Go Vertical!

We are big fans of homes where shelving maximizes the vertical room on offer. This is a great way to take the pressure off the floor area in your already small apartment and this strategy works equally well in the bedroom, living room and dining area.

Space-Savvy Bedroom Shelving

Floating modular units are currently a favorite among homeowners as they help you in creating additional storage space whenever needed. If you fall on the messy side of the spectrum, then you can opt for closed floating cabinets in the bedroom to give it a more organized appeal.

Corners, Niches and Room Dividers

Yes, adding space-savvy shelving and cabinets in the tiny apartment is great.

Discover What Works for You

Finding the right smart shelving idea or storage unit for your modest apartment depends largely on both your chosen style and specific needs. In an open plan living area where you want to delineate space without hindering the flow of light, a glass partition with built-in book rack is a smart option.