Getting More Storage in your Small Apartment

By Kathy Wilson

Your New York movers hauled in all of your belongings and now you’ve got a pressing concern: Where in the world will you fit everything in your small (yet, charming) apartment? 

Moving into a small space can seem overwhelming; however, there are many ways to maximize the space with minimal storage options. Here are some of our tips to getting more oomph out of your small space:

1. Shoe racks are ideal for almost all types of storage. Place them on the back of a pantry door in the kitchen to fit small jars, in the coat closet to fit cleaning supplies and in the kid’s rooms to keep small toys organized (or at least an attempt at organization).

2. Hang shelves along the ceiling line to store books, which creates an attractive design element without taking up valuable floor space for built-in units. Shelving can even be placed right below the ceiling line to add an architectural element.

3. Cover end tables with floor length table cloths. You can then slide baskets underneath to place toys, magazines or other daily clutter under the cloth. This is great for families with small children for easy toy pick-up at the end of the day.

4. Make your furniture do double work. Trunks that double as coffee tables make excellent storage for linens. You can also use old boxes and decorate them with wrapping paper to create a decorative, yet functional storage unit.

5. Attach wire baskets directly to the wall for bathroom or kitchen storage of small items. These baskets can even be picked up at dollar shops to save money.

6. Placing shelves in utility areas can double your storage space. Add one more shelf in any closet above the first. Run shelving floor-to-ceiling in laundry rooms or garages to make sure there is a storage space for every item you own! When all things have a storage spot, clutter is reduced in a small room or home, so it looks and feels like a larger space.

7. Creating a pot rack to hang from your ceiling or wall can free up most of your kitchen cabinet space. Use a small section of iron garden fence and chain to hang from the ceiling studs, or attach an attractive metal curtain rod to the wall studs, and hang pots off the rack with s-hooks.

8. A good area to capitalize on is under-the-bed storage. If you don’t want to invest in pricey rolling storage units, use old dresser drawers and place rollers on the bottom, then slide under the bed. Old suitcases work well for the same purpose.

9. Use items you love as decor. Hang pretty plates and platters on the wall, or use pitchers as flower vases. Serving bowls and pretty glassware can be arranged as a dining table centerpiece. Books can be stacked and displayed on tabletops, or used as lifts for other decorative items. By placing these items on display, you won't take up precious space.

Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant. She is also a home decorating expert for LifetimeTV.com. To read more articles written by Kathy, please check out the budget decorator and the garden glove where she is a regular contributor.