Do you ever feel like your home lacks adequate storage, especially in smaller spaces? As a homeowner trying to maximize every inch, I’m always on the hunt for smart small storage ideas that keep clutter at bay.
From hiding away living room clutter to maximizing unused nooks, these clever solutions prove you don’t need giant walk-in closets or expansive pantries to keep your home organized.
1. Hide Your Storage
Maintaining a clean look in main living spaces while also keeping necessities handy can be tricky. The solution? Incorporate furniture with hidden storage, like an upholstered storage bench you can flip open.
Tuck items inside while maintaining a polished, styled feel in living areas and entryways. This is a chic way to disguise items so rooms feel tranquil versus messy.
2. Hang a Kitchen Pegboard
Channel Julia Child’s iconic pegboard pot rack by mounting one on your kitchen wall. Paint it a dark color for a modern look, then make use of all that vertical real estate.
Trace the shape of often-used kitchen tools, like pots and pans, with a paint pen so you know just where to hang things when cooking. This ensures essentials are easily accessible.
3. Utilize Under-Bed Space
Most of us don’t capitalize on all the unused space beneath our beds. Start by upcycling a spare dresser’s drawers, painting and distressing them for a farmhouse vibe.
Attach metal address numbers to the front of each drawer so you can easily ID what’s inside. Add wheels to smoothly slide them in and out for hassle-free access to items, from extra linens to seasonal clothing.
4. Add Window Shelving
In a bathroom, install shelves right into the window frame itself to create an open cabinet effect. Not only can you store bathroom products there, but you also allow beautiful natural light to continue flowing into the space since the shelves are transparent.
Consider styling with leafy plants, cotton balls in glass jars, or even bath bombs in a pretty dish.
5. Hang an Under-Sink Curtain
If your bathroom or kitchen features a freestanding sink, make use of the space below by hanging a simple linen curtain to conceal clutter.
Pair with an easy DIY reclaimed wood countertop for a cohesive, cottage-chic look. This is an easy way to instantly hide less-than-pretty pipes or cleaning products.
6. Install Corner Shelves
Walk-in closets can benefit from corner shelves too. Maximize each and every inch by installing L-shaped open and closed storage to tuck items away or display favorites.
Extend shelving all the way to the ceiling, and for a custom look, consider topping with crown molding. This utilizes all available space in the corners of the closet or room.
7. Utilize Vertical Space
Even the smallest gaps between studs can be utilized with tall, skinny shelving units. This is an efficient way to store accessories and maximize every single inch of closet space while keeping items easily accessible.
Use for shoes, purses, folded sweaters, and other necessities to make the most of vertical real estate in your home.
8. Repurpose Vintage Furniture
Give a vintage piece new life by converting it into a coffee station, complete with storage and style. Hang a striped linen curtain below to conceal coffee accoutrements.
Then, install open shelving above to display pretty mugs and other supplies. This self-contained piece maximizes space and adds character to your kitchen.
9. Hang a Garage Slatwall
Finally organize all those tools, sports gear, and seasonal items by installing a slatwall system along your garage wall.
The customizable panels allow you to store everything in plain sight so you always know right where to find what you need. Freshen up the wall below with a bright accent color for a cheerful, tidy look.
10. Carve Out a Pantry
Make the most of awkward nooks and crannies around your home by carving out mini pantries. Install free-standing shelves from IKEA or custom-build shallow shelving for hard-to-access spaces.
Use large glass storage jars to corral baking ingredients and snacks. This effectively maximizes every square inch of available storage space.
11. Create an Entry Landing Pad
Keep jackets, scarves, purses, and shoes orderly by hanging a rustic DIY entryway coat rack. This landing pad catches clutter before it invades the rest of your home.
Improvise entry storage even in the smallest mudrooms and tight spaces by making the most of vertical wall space.
12. Rely on Double-Duty Furniture
Convert a bookshelf into a storage piece and desk work surface all in one. Incorporate a small stool that can tuck right under when not in use. Use the shelves, cubbies and top surface while taking up a fraction of the space two separate pieces would require.
Stash office supplies and paperwork in baskets and bins for a tidy, customized home office.
13. Hide Toy Clutter
Conceal those pesky toys that can take over a living room or family room. Hack IKEA cabinetry by painting the outside and adding hardware for a custom built-in look.
Install large baskets and pull-out bins inside to neatly organize and contain everything from Legos to board games so clutter stays out of sight.
14. Add a Jewelry Shelf
Carve out a small corner of your closet for jewelry storage and display. A narrow shelf with a battery-operated puck light provides ideal visibility.
Decorate the wall behind with removable wallpaper for easy accessorizing. Consider adding a small mirror and even mini art above for a jewelry showcase nook.
15. Hang an Adjustable Shelf
While often overlooked, the wall area above a bathtub can provide useful storage space. Build a rustic plywood pegboard shelf you can adjust to fit different-sized items.
Use it to neatly store shampoo, body wash, razors and more. Bonus points for styling it with decorative objects like trailing ivy in a hanging planter or even bath bombs in a pretty dish.
16. DIY an Accessories Ladder
Short on closet space? Lean a minimalist wood ladder against any vertical surface to instantly create an on-trend display rack. Use the rungs to hang necklaces, scarves, hats, purses and even shoes.
This organizational ladder puts accessories and seasonal items on display while keeping them easily accessible.
17. Substitute Closet Space
Lacking an entryway closet? No problem. Create a customized drop zone to catch family belongings as soon as you walk in the door.
Incorporate a variety of hooks, open shelves and bins to sort hats and gloves, backpacks, dogs leashes and everyday carry items. Baskets or storage bins make it easy for family members to put things away.
18. Build Hidden Bar Storage
Carve out concealed storage for barware up high on a dining room wall. Not only does this keep glassware and liquor out of reach of little ones, but it also maximizes vertical storage space behind cabinet doors mounted near the ceiling.
Use the cubbies to neatly tuck away essential bar tools, spirits and serveware.
19. Clear off the Floor
Free up precious tabletop square footage by moving storage off the floor. Opt for wall-mounted cube shelves or narrow rectangular shelf units to neatly organize items.
This vertical storage approach also allows you to install space-saving plug-in wall sconces or swing arm lamps to shed light on the task at hand.
20. Get Your Books on the Wall
Book lovers with overflowing collections can double their potential storage space by building bookshelves on the wall rather than solely on the floor.
Construct floating shelves in creative shapes like diamonds for added visual interest. Not only will this show off your literary tastes, but it also keeps your floor clear of furniture.
21. Use Your Windows
Make the most of sunny window nooks in your kitchen by hanging storage shelves or spice racks directly in the window frame.
Keep everyday dishes, pots and pans readily accessible without sacrificing that sweet, sweet natural light streaming into the room. Bonus points if you style shelves with pretty ceramic planters and glass storage jars.
22. Create Shoe and Bag Storage
Corrall boots, heels and totes in an organized way by repurposing and stacking wooden crates along one wall. Paint some bright colors while leaving others unfinished wood for an eclectic look.
Top with large round brass hooks for hanging bags and coats. Add a trailing ivy or a few cacti in modern planters to tie it all together.
23. Set Up an Open Closet
Bedrooms lacking built-in closets can improvise with a narrow bookcase outfitted with a closet rod for hanging clothes.
Flank it with a tall dresser for folded items and set a small round table in front to collect jewelry, accessories and perfumes. The modular setup maximizes every bit of space while providing essential clothing storage.
24. Stagger Shelves
When designing any new shelving or storage unit, consider staggering the depths and widths of shelves. Place narrower shelves higher up, which creates visible negative space, lightening up the aesthetic of the room.
This approach also enables you to store larger items on lower shelves and smaller accessories, knickknacks or plants on higher shelves.
25. Try a Portable Craft Cart
Convert an unused closet into a tidy craft zone complete with personalized storage. Use removable over-the-door hooks on the back of the door to hang oft-used tools and materials.
Inside, set up an inexpensive rolling cart from IKEA to neatly organize yarn, fabric, scissors, paint and other crafting essentials. Now you can easily roll your works-in-progress elsewhere.
26. Make Reclaimed Shelving
Rustic, reclaimed wood instantly brings cozy appeal to open shelving, making it ideal for kitchen pantries. Stain the salvaged boards all one dark color for a sophisticated, cohesive look.
Style with pretty glass storage jars full of pantry staples like beans, pasta and rice. The rich wood grain paired with transparent glass jars keeps everything visible at a glance.
27. Install Plant Shelves
Take advantage of awkward empty corners and tall walls by hanging simple floating shelves. This creates a perfect perch for potted succulents, trailing ivy or delicate air plants.
Not only does this maximize vertical space between wardrobes, but it also makes small offices and bedrooms feel more lush and welcoming.
28. Build a DIY Shoe Wall
Create a custom focal point along one wall by building vertical open shelving specifically for shoe storage and display.
This is an ideal solution for organizing and showing off large shoe collections in closets, mudrooms or entry spaces. Not only does it neatly store dozens of pairs, but it also becomes an artful, architectural display.
29. Include Out-in-the-Open Storage
Skip bulky cabinets and opt for decorative open storage baskets and bins for kitchen essentials like baking sheets, plastic wrap and pot holders. Woven wall files are ideal for papers, menus and plastic grocery bags.
The key is choosing storage that blends into your existing decor, keeping necessities at hand without cluttering up prime countertop real estate.
30. Style a Home Cloffice
Never enough work-from-home office space? Convert a spare closet into a petite and private home office. Paint the walls a saturated dark blue for a cocooning effect. Install shelves to hold framed photos, books or decorative objects.
Use the existing closet rod for hanging a bulletin board, artwork or even extra storage boxes. The double doors allow it to seamlessly blend into living areas.
31. Repaint an Old Dresser
Give a flea market find new life by repainting it in on-trend colors like navy or soft pink. The coastal, timeworn finish pairs perfectly with antique brass hardware.
Tuck the dresser into a small foyer or hallway to gain extra storage without sacrificing style. This is an easy upcycle project that transforms existing furniture pieces into customized storage.
32. Research Helpful Add-ons
Upgrade your closet or pantry with specialized storage additions like slide-out trays, pull-out spice racks, jewelry drawers, or built-in charging stations.
Install hairdryer hooks and drop-down clothes rods inside cabinet doors to maximize vertical storage space. Find a home for each and every necessary household item with these helpful hardware add-ons.
33. Add Incremental Storage
Make the most of the existing storage space in your kitchen by incorporating space-saving notch-backed shelves. The notched design allows you to hang them between wall studs or on sides of cabinets without requiring drilling.
Use them to store oils and spices in labeled glass jars right within arm’s reach. This incremental storage approach maximizes every inch.
34. Assemble Individual Pieces
When square footage is at a premium, opt for stand-alone storage pieces you can cluster together to create a custom closet. A slim dresser provides drawer space while a tall bookshelf outfitted with a closet rod accommodates hanging clothes.
Consider including a narrow dressing table for display space. Grouping these individual pieces uses space efficiently.
35. DIY a Storage Accent Wall
Transform an empty wall into a glamorous storage accent by creating an artistic display of open shelves, hooks and cubbies. Use it to show off your hat, bag and jewelry collections while keeping them organized and dust-free.
The custom wall unit, finished in on-trend brass hardware, adds beautiful visual interest while also hiding away clutter.
36. Hide Electronics
Free up precious real estate on kitchen counters, work surfaces and desk spaces by hiding bulky electronics inside right-sized drawers and cabinets. Keep printers, scanners, modems and charging stations conveniently out of sight to maintain a tidy look.
Consider open shelving or cubbies for frequently used items like laptops that you access daily. This creates both hidden and handy tech storage.
37. Pare Down
Sometimes the best organizational approach is simply to pare down your belongings to the essentials. Be brutally honest about items your family actually needs and uses on a regular basis. Replace aging items only as needed.
For shared family spaces, limit storage to necessities through thoughtful editing and subdividing open cubbies or shelves.