19+ Clever Storage Ideas for Small Spaces

Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing style or organization. With a few clever storage ideas, you can maximize every inch of your home.

1. Staircase Storage

If you can, add pull-out drawers in your stairs for sneaky storage. It’s a feature I dream of adding one day for shoes and winter gear. I’ve seen clients transform cluttered entryways into organized havens with this simple upgrade. It would definitely make my own mornings less chaotic!

May just do the trick:

Under Stairs Storage Drawer Kit: Maximize your staircase with pull-out drawers for shoes and gear. Simplify organization now!
Slide-Out Shoe Rack: Transform stair space with slide-out racks. Store shoes neatly and access them easily!
Customizable Storage Drawer System: Design your staircase storage with customizable drawers. Optimize your home’s functionality!

2. Under-bed Storage

Bedroom showcasing under-bed storage boxes.

Utilize the space under your bed with storage boxes or drawers. I keep seasonal clothing neatly tucked away under mine, freeing up closet space. I also store extra bedding down there, which is so convenient when guests arrive. For me, it’s one of the simplest ways to maximize space in a small apartment.

Some ideas to consider:

Under-bed Storage Boxes: Free up your closet by storing seasonal items in versatile under-bed storage boxes.
Storage Drawers on Wheels: Easily access your belongings with storage drawers on wheels designed for under-bed use.
Zippered Under-bed Storage Bags: Protect your clothes with zippered under-bed bags, ideal for keeping dust away.

3. Seating with Storage

Choose seating that serves another function with hidden compartments. In my living room, a bench with storage holds extra pillows and throws. This way, items don’t have to take up valuable closet space, and I have extra seating for guests. I have always found that multi-purpose furniture is a lifesaver in small spaces.

Products that could assist:

Wooden Storage Bench: Maximize your living space with a stylish bench offering hidden storage for essentials.
Upholstered Storage Ottoman: Transform your space with a chic ottoman that conceals clutter beautifully.
Convertible Sofa with Storage: Add functionality to your living area with a convertible sofa featuring ample storage space.

4. Curtain Camouflage

Studio apartment with curtain-covered shelving.

Hide open shelving with curtains for a neat look. I use this trick in my studio to keep my wardrobe organized yet out of sight. Curtains offer a softer, more relaxed aesthetic than doors, especially in smaller spaces. I feel like it creates a more serene and less cluttered environment.

A few helpful options:

Heavy-Duty Ceiling Curtain Track Kit: Effortlessly install curtains with this track kit, keeping your space organized and stylishly concealed.
Lightweight Room Divider Curtains: Create a sleek barrier with these divider curtains, perfect for hiding shelves and adding privacy.
Adjustable Curtain Rod Bracket Set: Securely mount your curtains with this adjustable bracket set, enhancing functionality and neatness.

5. Built-in Shelving

Built-in wall shelves filled with books and decor.

Custom built-in shelving can turn awkward nooks into stylish storage areas. In my own brownstone, these shelves have become a lifesaver for housing books and decorative items. For one client, I designed shelves around a protruding chimney breast, turning a design challenge into a focal point. It makes me so happy to see something beautiful and useful come out of a problem space.

A few things you might like:

Adjustable Shelf Brackets: Enhance your built-in shelving with adjustable brackets for customizable storage solutions.
Decorative Shelf Baskets: Organize efficiently with stylish baskets that fit perfectly into your built-in shelves.
LED Shelf Lighting: Illuminate your built-in shelving with LED lights for a warm and inviting ambiance.

6. Utilization of Doors

Kitchen door featuring a mounted spice rack.

Hang racks or organizers on your doors for extra storage. I love using door-mounted spice racks in the kitchen to keep my counters clutter-free. I’ve also seen clients use over-the-door shoe organizers in pantries for snacks and cleaning supplies. I think I’ll add a similar rack to my bathroom door for toiletries.

Maybe worth checking out:

Over-the-Door Spice Rack: Organize your spices perfectly with this sleek door-mounted spice rack for easy access.
Door-Mounted Storage Organizer: Maximize kitchen space with a versatile door-mounted organizer for jars and containers.
Hanging Pantry Door Organizer: Transform your pantry space with a hanging organizer, ideal for spices and small items.

7. Kitchen Organization

Organized kitchen with pull-out drawers.

Maximize your kitchen cabinets with pull-out drawers and racks. I’ve found these to be game-changers in keeping my baking supplies organized and accessible. One client mentioned how much easier it was to find things once we installed pull-out organizers for pots and pans. It’s rewarding to see how these small changes can make a big difference.

Might be a good match:

Pull-Out Cabinet Drawers: Maximize your cabinet space with pull-out drawers for easy access to stored items.
Adjustable Drawer Dividers: Organize your kitchen drawers efficiently with adjustable dividers that fit any size.
Stackable Storage Bins: Utilize stackable storage bins for a neat arrangement of your kitchen essentials.

8. High Shelving

Install shelves high up on the walls for less-used items. I keep board games and extra linens on shelves above my bedroom door. A client even had me build shelves above their hallway door to store luggage. I always feel like it is an excellent way to utilize otherwise wasted space.

A few suggestions:

Wall-Mounted Shelf Brackets: Optimize vertical space with sturdy brackets; perfect for installing high shelves safely and stylishly.
Woven Storage Baskets: Enhance shelf organization with stylish woven baskets; ideal for linens and board games storage.
Wooden Floating Shelves: Add extra storage above doors with elegant wooden shelves; maximize space without clutter.

9. Vertical Storage Solutions

Embrace your vertical space with tall shelves or wall-mounted units. I once transformed a narrow kitchen corner with a tall pantry shelf, freeing up precious counter space. Many of my clients appreciate this solution because it keeps everything visible and accessible, but not in the way. I love how a tall shelf can make a room feel bigger.

A few choices to try:

Tall Adjustable Pantry Shelf: Maximize your kitchen space with a tall pantry shelf, perfect for organizing jars and containers.
Wall-Mounted Storage Rack: Transform empty wall space with a wall-mounted rack, ideal for extra kitchen storage.
Stackable Storage Baskets: Organize and store efficiently with stackable baskets, keeping your kitchen essentials accessible and tidy.

10. Multi-functional Furniture

Living room featuring a storage ottoman.

Multi-functional furniture like benches with hidden storage can double up as seating and storage. In my Boston apartment, a storage ottoman serves as the perfect spot for extra blankets. My sister has a coffee table that lifts up to reveal storage, which is a genius solution for small living rooms. I should probably invest in one of those myself!

Check these products out:

Storage Ottoman Bench: Maximize your space with a stylish storage ottoman; perfect for blankets and small items.
Convertible Coffee Table with Storage: Enhance functionality with a coffee table featuring hidden storage for organizing essentials.
Sofa with Built-in Storage: Utilize hidden compartments in your sofa to keep your living area neat and tidy.

11. Bins and Baskets

Living room with woven baskets for storage.

Use bins and baskets to corral smaller items and keep things tidy. I stash toys and seasonal items in woven baskets, which blend seamlessly into my decor. When working with families, I often recommend labeled bins to help children keep their spaces organized. To me, this is a good way to introduce organization at a young age.

Possibly handy products:

Woven Storage Baskets: Enhance your decor while organizing toys and seasonal items effortlessly with woven storage baskets.
Rustic Wicker Baskets: Add rustic charm and organization to your home with these versatile wicker baskets.
Decorative Seagrass Bins: Keep everything tidy and stylish with decorative seagrass bins that blend into any decor.

12. Corner Usage

Small corner library with corner shelves.

Don’t ignore the corners! With corner shelving, you can make use of every nook. I’ve turned an underused corner into a mini library, thanks to corner shelves. I once designed a custom corner desk for a client who worked from home, and she was thrilled with the extra workspace. I should try something similar in my own office.

Some handy options:

Wooden Corner Bookshelf: Maximize your corner space with a stylish wooden bookshelf for all your reading needs.
Adjustable Corner Shelving Unit: Add versatile storage to any corner with an adjustable shelving unit for books and decor.
Corner Standing Floor Lamp: Brighten up your reading nook with a modern corner floor lamp offering warm ambiance.

13. Pegboards for Versatility

Kitchen with a pegboard for pots and utensils.

Pegboards aren’t just for the garage! I use one in the kitchen to keep pots and utensils within easy reach and off the counters. My friend uses a pegboard in her home office to organize craft supplies. I feel like they’re such versatile storage solutions!

These products might be useful:

Metal Pegboard Hooks Set: Easily hang and organize kitchen utensils with these durable metal pegboard hooks.
Wall Mount Pegboard Panel Kit: Install this pegboard panel kit to keep your kitchen essentials tidy and accessible.
Adjustable Pot Rack Hook Set: Store pots and pans securely with adjustable hooks designed for pegboards.

14. Creative Bookshelves

Ladder-style bookshelf in a small living room.

Use creative bookshelves that fit into unconventional spaces. In my living room, a ladder-style shelf adds character and extra book storage without taking up much space. I’ve seen clients use bookshelves as room dividers in studio apartments to create separate zones. I am thinking of trying that in my open-plan living room.

Try these:

Ladder-Style Bookshelf: Enhance your living room with a stylish ladder bookshelf, perfect for compact spaces and books.
Wall-Mounted Floating Shelves: Discover wall-mounted shelves for a minimalist touch, perfect for displaying books and decor.
Corner Shelf Unit: Maximize corner space with a corner shelf unit, ideal for storing books and ornaments elegantly.

15. Slim Cabinets

In tight spaces, slim cabinets can be a real asset. They fit perfectly in narrow gaps and provide ample storage for toiletries in my tiny bathroom. One client had a narrow space between their fridge and the wall, which we filled with a custom pull-out pantry. I felt like it was such a smart use of space!

You might give these a try:

Tall Narrow Bathroom Cabinet: Maximize your space by fitting this tall, narrow cabinet into any tight bathroom corner effortlessly.
Wall-Mounted Slim Storage Cabinet: Keep essentials organized with this wall-mounted slim cabinet, perfect for optimizing tiny bathroom areas.
Slender Freestanding Organizer: Enhance your bathroom’s functionality using this slender organizer that fits neatly in minimal spaces.

16. Above-the-Sofa Space

Living room with a shelf above the sofa.

Utilize the space above your sofa with a shelf for art or books. In my home, it’s the perfect spot for displaying travel souvenirs. My cousin created a gallery wall above her sofa and added a slim shelf below for smaller items. I think it adds visual interest and makes the space feel more personal.

These products might help:

Wall-Mounted Shelving Unit: Maximize your space with stylish shelves for displaying art and cherished souvenirs. Easy to install.
Decorative Picture Frames: Enhance your shelf display with elegant frames, perfect for family photos and travel memories.
Indoor Potted Plants: Bring a touch of nature above your sofa with beautiful and low-maintenance indoor plants.

17. Transformative Accent Walls

Turn an accent wall into a functional storage area with cubbies or shelves. I’ve used this idea to create a mini-bar in my dining area. A client asked for a similar solution in their living room to showcase their vinyl collection. I feel like it is such a stylish way to display and store items.

18. Vintage Suitcases

Vintage suitcases stacked for decor and storage.

Stack vintage suitcases for a unique storage option that doubles as decor. In my space, they hold off-season accessories while adding a touch of nostalgia. I saw a designer use vintage trunks as side tables with hidden storage, which was so creative. I like how it adds character and a story to a room.

Useful items to consider:

Set of Vintage Style Suitcases: Elevate your decor with a stackable set of vintage suitcases, perfect for nostalgic storage.
Decorative Floral Vintage Suitcase: Add charm to your space using decorative vintage suitcases for stylish and practical storage.
Antique Look Storage Trunks: Store essentials in antique-look trunks that enhance your room’s elegance and save space.

19. Floating Shelves

Install floating shelves for a sleek storage solution without sacrificing floor space. They’re perfect for displaying plants and photos in my dining area. I recently installed floating shelves in a client’s home office to display awards and books. For me, they’re a modern and minimalist way to add storage.

Give these a look:

Wooden Floating Shelves with Wall Mounting Kit: Transform your dining area with stylish wooden floating shelves for an elegant display solution.
Rustic Floating Shelves Set: Add character to your space with rustic shelves, perfect for plants and photo displays.
Modern Floating Shelves with Ledge: Enhance your decor with modern shelves featuring a ledge for secure plant and photo placement.