Skip to main content

9 small apartment storage ideas that will make your home feel super expansive

Get creative with these storage space ideas

Apartment living has plenty of advantages, but when it comes to storage, your small space can lack in that department. When you’ve decorated every corner and you have limited square footage, where do you stash all of your clutter? You need strategic small apartment storage ideas that work for you, not against you; luckily, that’s what we’re here for.

If you’re looking for ways to maximize storage in a small apartment, you’ll need to get creative in each room. From taking your storage vertical to choosing pieces of furniture that multitask and adding shelving that can transform the room, here are nine genius ways to make the most of your storage solutions.

1. Transform your entryway

Entryway with shelves and storage bin.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If your apartment lacks a proper closet to hold coats, shoes, and all of the things you need before you head out the door, transform the space with decorative hooks to hang items, baskets to create drop stations, and open shelving that gives you storage and flexibility in your entryway. If you have room, add a bench that also doubles as storage. Your entryway can be stylish, inviting, and set up to give you tons of extra storage.

2. Multifunctional furniture

Storage ottoman with toys inside in living room
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Choose furniture that multitasks in your living room. Storage ottomans allow you to put your feet up while secretly storing your extra pillows, blankets, and toys. Benches can give guests an extra place to sit while also allowing you to stash items away. TV stands often pull double duty as an entertainment center and extra shelving to house a few of your items.

3. Go vertical

High-up shelves in laundry room

It’s time to take your storage vertical by adding shelves up your walls. Don’t be afraid to hang shelves in corners and close to your ceiling for extra footage and space. Take over the back of doors for hanging storage solutions, too. This vertical trick will make the room look bigger because it draws your eyes up, and you’ll have more storage space.

4. Under the bed

Underbed storage drawers
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Reclaim the space under your bed for tons of extra storage. Choose under-bed storage bins and a platform bed you can raise up to access your extra space; or, if you can raise up your current bed, go for it. Don’t let the underside of your bed just collect dust bunnies; that’s prime storage space in any size home. 

5. Make the most of your bathroom

Bathroom with storage baskets, drawers, and a washing machine
Image used with permission by copyright holder

From hanging shelves above your door, hooks on the wall, a storage ladder for decor and towels, baskets under the sink, and a lazy Susan for makeup and personal care items, smart storage solutions can help you maximize your small bathroom space.

6. Small tool storage

Kitchen storage solution
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Transform your kitchen with storage solutions that make cooking, baking, and entertaining in the kitchen easier. Break out the pot racks, shelves, and hooks to make more space in your small kitchen. These items will help you make the most of your cabinet space and fill the empty and wasted space. 

7. Take off the doors

Clothes hanging neatly in closet
jordi Pujadas/Unsplash.com

Cabinet and closet doors take up precious space that could be better used if you simply remove the doors. With open shelves, you have more inches to stash away items and display your favorite decor. While this trick is a real space saver, you’ll still have to stay organized, or the open shelves can quickly look cluttered.

8. Add a cart

Kitchen cart at the end of island
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If your kitchen workspace is limited, adding a cart to the end of your kitchen counter will give you more room to prep and give you a space to stash extra kitchen items. Plus, as you cook, you can move the cart around the kitchen so that everything you need is within reach.

9. Float your furniture

Floating bathroom vanity
Image used with permission by copyright holder

From floating desks, nightstands, and even a dining hutch, furniture that floats, or is attached to your wall, opens up space in the room, offers storage above and below, and can help you get creative with your design and space issues. Often, floating furniture has a smaller footprint and is perfect for apartment living.

Before you start adding shelves, baskets, and hooks to your apartment, you’ll want to begin by decluttering. This will allow you to take inventory of what items need to be stored and what items are just cluttering your space. Then you can really dive into adding new storage solutions to each room.

While we would all love to have rooms full of walk-in closets, a kitchen that has endless counter and cabinet space, and a bathroom that has drawer after drawer, the reality is no home ever seems to have enough storage. However, when you live in an apartment, sometimes the places you need to add storage solutions aren’t always so obvious but can really transform your space.

Editors' Recommendations

Amanda Mushro
Former Digital Trends Contributor
7 best basement office ideas so you don’t feel like you’re working in a dungeon
Basement home office.

Working from home is now much more commonplace than it used to be, which is one of the reasons people now need office space at home. Even if you don't work from home, you may have kids that need a desk for arts and crafts or office space for homework. Whatever the reason, having an office space in your home is pretty necessary, and if you have a basement, it just may be the perfect spot for a home office. A basement home office can offer the sometimes necessary separation from the rest of the family's activities. If you're thinking about the basement being dark and dingy and, therefore, decreasing the chances anyone will actually go down there to work, don't worry; we've got you covered. We've even found some great unfinished basement office ideas for those of you starting from scratch.

Get rid of clutter
One of the first vital steps to creating a basement office is to define a specific area as office space. This will allow you to remove any boxes, clothes, and clutter, making it less like a storage area. If you’re able, use bookshelves or a place already walled off to have a specific space that doesn’t feel cluttered. You can also invest in storage solutions that hide messes. Wall-mounted units will give you a place to put all of your stuff and create a separation of space. Even a simple room divider can do the trick if you're on a budget.

Read more
How to budget for a home remodel: 7 expert tips you definitely need
expert advice for remodel budget couple renovating new house  sitting on ground planning bathroom

Renovating your home, even if it’s just a single room, is a big project. And with any home makeover comes a remodeling budget, estimating the total cost of materials, labor, and any unforeseen expenses. Kicking off your renovation without a hitch hinges on preparing a proper remodeling budget to show general contractors.

For tips on drawing up an effective and reasonable remodeling budget, we consulted with Oregon-based contracting company Lamont Bros., known for tackling many of the design and construction projects at HGTV.

Read more
Add a pop of color to your home this April with these 8 gorgeous, vibrant blooms
pink and white tulips in a clear vase

Winter is a long and colorless season, isn't it? While it's beneficial to have houseplants around during the cold months, many blooming plants don't flower over the winter, so you may be starved for some brightness in your life. Getting a bouquet for the table is a nice quick-fix when you need some color indoors, but cut flowers are short-lived. This spring, why not grab some blooming house plants or potted flowers to give you some long-term joy indoors? We'll go over some of the most gorgeous blooms to brighten up your home this April.
How to pick out indoor blooming plants
There's one important thing to remember when adding colorful indoor plants in the spring: Pick mature plants. You don't want to plant from seeds or pick one that's in its infancy. When you're in dire need of some liveliness, adult plants will ensure you can enjoy beautiful blooms right away. Look for a plant that has a good amount of foliage and has at least some visible buds, if not already bloomed flowers.

Colorful spring flowers to brighten your home this spring
We've rounded up our favorite spring blooms that will go perfectly in your home this April. These flowers or flowering plants will be sure to show off their colors for you before the ground thaws.
Tulips
Tulips are widely thought of as spring's most famous flower. When you see those colorful, bobbing heads emerge among all the hibernating blooms, you know winter is over. Available in a wide variety of spring colors, like pink, purple, yellow, and white, tulips on your window sill are sure to get you in the spring spirit.

Read more