"I am no stranger to small apartments. In fact, I’ve lived in several tiny rentals over the past few years, which means I’ve encountered my fair share of storage struggles. When you live in a small apartment with little to no closet space, you learn very quickly just how much stuff you have and how difficult it can be to store it all. Fortunately, adversity breeds innovation, so I’ve adapted by getting creative with some sneaky storage hacks. As it turns out, there are so many places to store things that you might not immediately think about, but once you start utilizing them, you’ll feel like you added a whole extra closet’s worth of storage space.
this is your sign to stock up
Whether your apartment literally has zero closets (been there) or you’ve exhausted what little closet space you have, it’s time to get creative. Things like linens, household supplies, and clothing aren’t going to store themselves, so you’re going to have to look beyond traditional storage areas to keep your small space organized. Here are my favorite tried-and-true storage hacks that go beyond shoving stuff in a closet.
1. Use the back sides of doors
The key to sneaking in storage is to find pockets of unused space, such as the back sides of doors. This storage hack works especially well with doors to closets, bedrooms, bathrooms, the pantry, or your laundry area. Simply purchase a set of hooks or a storage rack that slips over the top of the door to add instant organization to the back side. For a less bulky solution, you could also add a couple of damage-free, self-adhesive hooks to the door for things like jackets, bags, or dog leashes.
2. Store bins under your bed
One of the best places to store things you don’t need all the time is under the bed. I store all of my seasonal clothing in rolling bins under my bed, and it’s been a total game-changer for me. At the beginning of each season, all you have to do is roll out the bin and swap out the clothes in your dresser with what you need for the new season. This hack frees up a ton of space and makes you feel like you have a fresh wardrobe every time you swap stuff out.
3. Hide shoes in a cabinet
Adding a shoe cabinet to your entryway is one of the ultimate storage hacks. It will clean up your space instantly, keep your shoes organized, and, ultimately, save your sanity. There is nothing worse than walking into your front door when you’re juggling one-trip groceries and tripping over your shoes! Do yourself a favor and invest in a shoe cabinet to keep them tucked away.
4. Stash things in baskets
Baskets are one of the best hacks for adding storage that looks like decor. A cute woven basket can hide a multitude of sins, from miscellaneous junk on the kitchen counter to electronics equipment by the TV to shoes near the door. You can place one literally anywhere and create storage space out of thin air. Pick one with handles so it’s easy to move around if needed, or go with a lidded basket to fully disguise whatever’s inside.
5. Add a storage bench or ottoman
Not only do storage benches and ottomans look nice from a design standpoint, but they also add additional seating and—you guessed it—a place to store things. Benches and ottomans are great for stashing extra blankets, sheets, and pillows as well as books and games. I recommend adding a storage bench to the end of your bed and using an ottoman in your living room in place of a coffee table to maximize your storage options.
6. Choose accent tables with drawers
You probably need an accent table or two in your bedroom or living room anyway, so you might as well choose one that has a few drawers for storage. In my bedside table, I like to store surplus socks, bras, and underwear, but you could also use this space for books, chargers, or personal care items. In the living room, use accent tables to stash books, charging cords, remotes, and random knick-knacks you can’t bring yourself to part with. These will help keep clutter to a minimum and look good while doing it.
7. Store items on top of kitchen cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets don’t go all the way up to the ceiling, that’s another prime example of unused space you could utilize for storage. Since this area is in full view, reserve this space for items that can also serve as decor, like vases, serving pieces, or baskets full of odds and ends. You may need a step ladder to reach up there, but it’s a great place to store kitchen items you only use on occasion.
8. Bring in a clothing rack
Not only are clothing racks aesthetic and fun to style, but they are also incredibly convenient. I recommend choosing a clothing rack that also has some shelves so you can keep folded clothing and shoes on it as well. It’s basically like adding a whole new closet but minus the renovation work.
9. Make the most of cabinet space
Built-in cabinets are a luxury in small apartments, so you’ve gotta make the most of what you have. The best way to do this is by adding some organizers. Clear bins, drawers, and over-the-door racks will help you maximize your storage space, especially in places like your bathroom or your kitchen.
Hailey Bouche, Associate Editor
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Bouche oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.