Running out of room? It’s amazing how a few smart storage ideas can make even a tiny apartment feel organized and livable.
Before you begin any organizing project, it’s important to assess your belongings and only keep what you use.
Amy Bloomer, the professional organizer behind Let Your Space Bloom, says this is a simple concept but one that a lot of her clients struggle with. “When I work with clients who are living in urban environments where space is at a high premium, it’s crucial to ‘right-size’ your belongings,” she says. “Take stock of what you have, determine what still serves you well, and release things that are creating clutter.”
Bloomer says she works by the mantra: Relinquish what has served you in the past, and retain what will serve you moving forward.
“I’ve found that clients are more open to letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose when they have a safe landing place,” she adds. “My goal with clients is to find a new home for everything, either with another local organization or within their new home (post-downsizing). This brings peace of mind and gives them permission to focus their efforts on retaining what has value in the next chapter of their life journey.”
Now we’re going to break organizing down room by room, with practical ways to help every square foot pull its weight. And the best part? Expert organizers have shared their best tips for small apartments. You will find clever ideas for organizing your home from the pros.
Storage Ideas for Small Living Rooms
Living rooms can be the heart of a small apartment, but keeping them both functional and tidy can be a challenge. Here are some tried-and-true strategies to help maximize your space without sacrificing comfort.
1. Use multi-purpose furniture and hidden storage
Furniture that does double duty is a small-space essential. Bloomer recommends sofa beds, which she calls “sneaky storage spaces.” A sofa bed can turn your living room into a cozy guest area without needing extra furniture.
You should also add discreet storage where you can. For example, a coffee table with a lift-up top can double as storage space for remotes, magazines or snacks. Ottomans with hidden storage are a great place to stash blankets, books or other small items.
Storage carts are another handy option and can be wheeled into different rooms as needed. Bloomer says mobile storage makes a big difference in keeping areas clutter-free. “Carts are an economical portable organizational solution when storage is limited,” she said. “They can be used as a nightstand or stand alone solution for anything from books to crafts to small accessories.”
2. Go vertical
When floor space is limited, turn to your walls. Floating shelves, wall-mounted cabinets or narrow bookcases keep essentials within reach while leaving your floor clear.
Nicole Gabai, a Certified Virtual Organizing Professional™ and founder of B. Organized, shares her thoughts on making the most of vertical space, “The goal of any space is to make better use of height, so valuable vertical space is not wasted.”
To do this, she encourages people to install shelves and tall cabinets, or use hooks to free up counter and floor space. Or add stacking boxes if there is a large gap at the top or bottom of your clothes closet to take advantage of the height.
Hooks aren’t just for entryways. You can place adhesive hooks on walls or the sides of furniture to hang items like headphones, small bags or even keys. This keeps surfaces clear and items easy to grab when you need them.
Libby Huffines, the professional organizer in charge of Libby and Labels, suggests Command or magnetic hooks as affordable, non-permanent options for small spaces. “Hats, jackets, oven mitts, and keys can all be stored on hooks,” she says.
3. Create zones
Divide your living area into zones to keep things organized. Sectional organizing involves dividing your space into sections based on specific activities. “Take some time to consider the activities you plan to do in each area so you can create a layout that works best for you,” Gabai suggests.
This can mean dedicating one corner for lounging and another for work or hobbies. Using rugs, open shelving or a simple divider helps visually define each area, so everything has its place.
“People tend to give equal importance to all items in a room,” Gabai added. “However, it’s essential to prioritize frequently used items and keep them in Zone 1, the most accessible area. Place less frequently used items in Zones 2 or 3.”
For example, in a small room’s study section, you should place items you use daily in Zone 1, such as your computer, pen, and notepad. Items like textbooks that you reference occasionally can go in Zone 2, which could be a small bookcase.
Small Apartment Bedroom Storage
A well-organized bedroom is key to comfort and functionality in a small apartment. Here’s how to make the most of your bedroom space, according to experts.
1. Embrace under-bed storage and multipurpose furniture
The space under your bed can be an excellent storage spot. “Think smartly about your furniture and utilize pieces with ample storage opportunities,” Huffines suggests. This could look like using rolling storage bins to keep out-of-season clothes, shoes or extra linens within reach yet out of sight.
For beds with lower frames, try adding risers to gain extra height, another “sneaky storage” trick from Bloomer for adding vertical space. You could also pick multipurpose pieces like bed frames with built-in drawers or storage ottomans that can double as seating or nightstands. These items enhance functionality without occupying extra space.
2. Use wall space wisely
Art makes bedroom walls pretty, but when you have space constraints, you can add more than art to put those walls to better use. Floating shelves and wall-mounted organizers can hold books, clocks or decorative items without taking up floor space.
Huffines encourages creative use of Command hooks on walls, which are perfect for hats, jewelry or even spare cords, allowing you to store items neatly while adding personality to your space. “Hooks will be your best friend,” she says.
Small Apartment Kitchen Storage
In small kitchens, every inch counts, and you can make more space for essentials with a few creative storage solutions.
1. Make use of vertical space
To maximize vertical space in a small kitchen, Gabai suggests installing tall cabinets that reach the ceiling or using shelf extenders to create extra levels inside cabinets. Overhead pot racks are another smart solution for freeing up cabinet space.
2. Try door-mounted storage
The inside of cabinet doors can serve as valuable storage. “Door-mounted racks, hooks or organizers for items such as spices, cleaning supplies or accessories can add extra storage,” says Gabai. This lets you keep items off the counters while making them easy to access.
3. Invest in compact furniture and built-in storage
Look for kitchen islands or tables with shelves and drawers underneath to store essentials like cooking utensils or dishware. You could also get a foldable table, as it can be tucked away when not in use.
4. Use bins and organizers
Organizing by category — such as pantry items, snacks and cooking tools — makes a big difference in keeping small kitchens clutter-free and functional. To achieve that, get a set of small baskets or bins and group similar items in cabinets and on shelves. Try using clear containers to see contents easily, or label them for quick identification.
Small Apartment Office Storage
In a small apartment, having an organized workspace can make a big difference in keeping things productive and comfortable. Here are some ways to make sure your office setup works without taking over the room.
1. Divide your workspace into zones
Keeping things organized in a home office is easier when everything has a zone.
Gabai recommends setting up a prime spot for the stuff you reach for all the time — your computer, notepad or favorite pen. This will be your office Zone 1.
Then, stash less-used things, like reference books or files, a bit farther away, like on a shelf or in a drawer. That way, your main area stays clear and ready for work.
2. Look up for storage
Free up desk space by using your walls. Wall-mounted shelves or tall cabinets are perfect for keeping supplies or books close but off your desk.
Gabai points out that vertical storage is a real bonus in small spaces, especially if you share your office area with other activities. Hooks or small wall organizers can also hold cords, headphones or even bags, so you’re not scrambling for extra surface space.
3. Pick space-saving furniture
Look for desks with built-in storage, foldable desks that can hide away or even rolling carts for your office essentials. These options keep things neat and make it easy to adapt your space if you need to clear it for something else.
4. Keep cords and cables organized
Cords and cables can make a small office feel cluttered fast. Gabai suggests using drawer dividers to keep things like chargers, adapters and cables in their own spaces, so you’re not digging through a tangled mess.
“In smaller spaces, it’s not always possible for each drawer or container to store only one category of items,” she says. “If you need to store more than one category of item per drawer or container, use dividers can separate each section clearly.”
Cable clips or adhesive organizers are also simple fixes to keep cords from taking over your workspace.
Small Apartment Closet Storage
Even a tiny closet can hold more than you think with a few smart storage tricks.
1. Divide and conquer
Creating sections in your closet can make everything easier to find. Keep everyday essentials, like jackets or shoes, at eye level or within easy reach, while seasonal clothes or accessories can go higher up.
You should also give drawer dividers and bins and baskets a try to separate smaller items like socks or scarves.
And don’t be afraid to ruthlessly thin your items out. Gabai swears by a personal rule she calls the “in-and-out-flow”. “In small spaces, maintaining organization means revisiting items regularly and decluttering anything unused or unnecessary,” she explains. “If I buy three new tops and two pairs of shoes, I immediately get rid of three items of clothing and two pairs of shoes.”
2. Use the inside of the closet door
Don’t let that door go to waste! The back of a closet door is prime real estate for apartment storage. Adhesive hooks can be used for everything from belts and scarves to handbags.
Over-the-door shoe organizers are also a great choice — those little pockets are perfect for small accessories, gloves or even cleaning supplies you want out of sight.
3. Add shelf extenders and stackable bins
If you’ve got some extra vertical room in your closet, shelf extenders or stackable bins can help you make the most of it. The shelf extenders Gabai swears by allow you to use that awkward gap above your clothes, while stackable bins are handy for storing shoes, bags or sweaters.
4. Make the most of high spaces
The upper shelves in closets are ideal for bulky but lightweight items — think extra blankets, pillows or off-season clothes. To reach these high spots without any hassle, Bloomer suggests keeping a foldable step stool nearby.
“Don’t be intimidated by using the full height of spaces for storage,” she says. “A simple resource like a foldable footstool can make all of the difference.”
Small Apartment Bathroom Storage
A small bathroom can be a bit of a challenge, but once you have it set up properly, you’ll find that there actually is ample room for the essentials.
1. Use vertical storage
When counter space is at a minimum, look to the walls. A few shelves above the toilet or beside the vanity will help store towels or toiletries, while wall-mounted hooks are perfect for washcloths or hair tools.
2. Take advantage of under-sink space
The space under the sink is prime apartment storage territory, especially if you add a few organizers. Stackable bins or small drawer units can help keep cleaning supplies and extra toiletries neat and easy to access. If plumbing limits your space, try using smaller bins to tuck around the pipes.
3. Get creative with corners and narrow spaces
Corners and narrow wall spaces in bathrooms can often go unused. Small corner shelves or narrow, freestanding organizers are great for storing toilet paper, small towels or even a few decorative items without crowding your main area.
Additional Small Apartment Storage Hacks
Sometimes, it’s the little tricks that make the biggest difference in a small apartment. Here are a few extras:
- Use room dividers that include shelves or storage pockets.
- Set up a shower rod with a small curtain to cover storage corners or open shelves.
- Install magnetic strips in kitchens, bathrooms or entryways to hold small metal items.
- Install wall-mounted baskets to hold anything from produce in the kitchen to towels in the bathroom.
- Attach small racks or hooks to the outer sides of kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
- In small spaces where drawers need to hold multiple item categories, use dividers to keep items organized within each section.
- Set up a pegboard as a “command center” in a multipurpose room, using hooks and holders to hang essential items, office supplies or tools.
- “Decorative storage boxes can both hold household items and add dimension to a bookshelf,” Huffines offers.
- Declutter and donate what you no longer use.
Use a Self-Storage Unit to Maximize Space
If your apartment is starting to feel a bit tight, an extra storage unit can help you spread out without losing track of the things you love. In a way, this can become an extension of your apartment, just right for all those items you don’t need every day but still want close by.
Here are a few ways to make a storage unit work for you:
- Pack away off-season clothes, decorations or sports gear. Bring them back when they’re in season, keeping your apartment free for what you actually need now.
- Got a few pieces of furniture or keepsakes that just don’t fit right now? Store them safely and bring them out when you’ve got more space to play with.
- Store items in stackable bins and label each one so you can grab what you need without turning everything upside down.
Now You Know How To Organize Your Apartment
Now you have a full set of small apartment storage ideas to make the most of every room. With these expert tips in hand, creating an organized and comfy space in your apartment is completely doable. From clever storage hacks to room-by-room solutions, you’re ready to make each square foot work for you.
And when you run out of space at home, SelfStorage.com is here to help you find the perfect storage extension. Search for a location near your apartment, filter by the amenities you need and rent a unit today – no credit card required!
