Small spaces may make it seem like you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to storage. Luckily, even the smallest of spaces can be transformed, so there’s no need to throw away or donate your belongings or put them in a storage unit across town. Small living spaces allow you to save some money every month, but they can make it difficult to be comfortable if you’re not maximizing your storage. Luckily, there are many different types of storage you can use within your home, no matter its size. Here are some top storage tips for your small space.
Use Storage Ottomans
Ottomans give you some way to rest your feet without the need to invest in a large, bulky recliner. They also work as additional seating when you have guests over. Storage ottomans are even better than your average ottoman because they allow you to store everything you need within them.
You can get two smaller ottomans or a single large one to put at the center of your furniture, allowing you to store everything from your weighted blanket and comfort items to remotes, gaming controllers, and electronics. These ottomans will ensure your clutter is out of sight whenever you have guests over while helping you keep things off the floor.
Add Hooks and Open Shelves
Small spaces don’t often have a lot of closet space. However, you can make your own storage space by adding hooks and open shelves to give you areas to put knick-knacks or hang your jacket. Add hooks near the front door of your home, so everyone knows where to put their jackets, and add shelves for keys so they won’t get lost.
Display What You Can
Not everything needs to be stored away, especially if it’s decorations that enhance your space. For example, if you have plants, you can keep them in the open on a desk or side table without taking up too much space. You can also mount potted plants on the walls or use hanging planters. You can use this same technique for other belongings, including books and other small decorations that don’t take up too much table space.
Try Wall-to-Wall Storage
If you don’t have closets, consider adding shelving units from wall to wall to give yourself a place to store books, plants, and knickknacks. This will keep your clutter organized on one wall of your home, giving you a place to store everything together rather than throughout multiple rooms.
Under the Bed
If you have a raised bed, consider using that space for storage. Under the bed is one of the best places for storage because no one will have to see your belongings. However, don’t just shove things under the bed without organizing them. Instead, invest in pull-out drawers and other containers that allow you to separate your belongings when storing them under the bed.
Invest in Shoe Drawers
If you have a ton of shoes, leaving them by the front door isn’t an option. Instead, invest in shoe drawers that function like a dresser but for your shoes. With a small shoe drawer, you can organize all your shoes to keep them safe and reduce clutter in your home.
Utilize the Fireplace
If you have an old fireplace that hasn’t been used in years or doesn’t function, consider using it for storage instead of filling it in. You can put anything from books to shelving inside and make effective use of every square inch of your home.
Install Shelves Behind Doors
Putting shelves behind doors can help you maximize your storage space without taking up more space. Any place behind doors can serve as storage for cleaning supplies like detergent, dish soap, and hand towels. Creating your own shelves behind doors is relatively easy; all you need to do is correctly measure the distance between the hinge and the wall and build your shelves. You can use metal or wood shelves and paint them any color to match the walls, so they won’t stand out.
Get Storage Furniture
There are so many options for furniture, but if you’re working with a small space, consider getting furniture with built-in storage options. We’ve already discussed storage ottomans, but there are storage couches, desks, and tables you can use to maximize your space without taking up more room.
If you’re a gamer at heart, theres a ton of options for storing and presenting your gaming system, gaming headphones & mic, and gaming chair. Use shelves, a credenza, headphone stand and more to display your gaming system and supplies nicely.
Use the Doors
We’ve discussed how the space behind the door can be a great storage solution. However, you can also use the door itself by installing hooks to hang everything from bathrobes and towels in bathrooms to purses, shoe caddies, and jackets on the back of doors.
Use Organizers
The best thing you can do when trying to maximize your storage space is to use closet organizers to keep all your belongings organized. With organizers, each item will have its own space to prevent clutter and give you different options for how you store your belongings. You can use prefabricated organizers or create your own with bins and shelving.
Don’t Ignore Counter Space
In your kitchen and bathroom, your counters can be used to store items you use daily. For example, you can keep your teapot on the stove without ever having to store it. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, you can keep all the things you use daily, like your toothbrush, on the counter instead of trying to hide them away. Using counter space will make your life more convenient because you won’t have to go looking for the same objects daily.
Know When to Donate, Store, or Throw Away
While you may want to keep as much of your stuff as possible, you may be limited in what you can keep based on your home storage options. While we’ve provided you with some excellent ways to maximize your space, not everything will fit if you have a ton of belongings. Therefore, it’s important to know when to store items in a storage unit, donate them, or throw them away to keep your home clutter-free and organized.
Ashley Nielsen
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
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