When it comes to storage my philosophy is to first get rid of stuff because no matter how much or how little storage we have we will always fill it. Getting more storage is rarely the answer for getting clutter-free. In fact it will just encourage you to hang on to stuff that you probably don’t need.
Having said that there are times when you do need a bit of storage help especially in small rooms and small homes. This is more about being tidy and organised with the stuff you need rather than getting more stuff to fill up your storage! These storage ideas for small spaces will help you free up floor and counter space for everyday necessary items and most importantly help you stay organised and clutter-free.
7 storage ideas for small spaces
1. buy furniture with storage
To name a few things, you can get coffee tables with drawers, beds and benches with storage and mirrors with storage too. In a small space it’s always useful to opt for this kind of furniture because it doesn’t take up any extra room and yet gives you some much needed extra storage. The good news is that a lot of this type of furniture is now available in simple, minimal designs that are both stylish and practical.
2. use the backs of doors
The backs of doors are often overlooked as storage spaces but they can be really useful for stuff that needs to be easily reachable in a room. This could be things like magazines and newspapers in a living room which would otherwise clutter table tops or the floor. It could be for storing shoes in a small entryway or bags and accessories in a bedroom. It’s also a handy way for storing veggies, tea towels and more in the kitchen and it can be so practical in a small bathroom. There are loads of back of door storage options from the simple cloth pockets to completely customisable systems with baskets, hooks, shelves and more. This is a quick way to get more storage in any small room in your home without, much effort or expense.
3. use the height of a room
When we think of adding storage, we often forget the height of the room but in tight spaces this can be a life saver! So instead of taking up floor space in a small room, think about adding shelves or cabinets high up on the walls, above doors or if you need more storage, you can add floor to ceiling shelves. If you do opt for open shelves you can use storage baskets and boxes to keep everything looking neat and tidy.
4. use the space under beds and sofas
If you’ve got a really or a small living room then this is a great way to hide away stuff that you don’t need daily. Think things like blankets in summer or extra bed linen and towels or even books that you want to hang on to but have no place to display. It’s also a handy option for putting away winter clothes in summer or storing extra handbags and other accessories. Under bed/sofa storage is really handy for things that you use, just not everyday or every week. There are loads of stylish storage containers out there that are designed for placing under beds and sofas that are easy to access.
5. don’t forget those awkward corners
Got an awkward corner space that you don’t know what to do with? Most homes will have some sort of small or awkward angled corners which, with a little imagination can be turned in to handy extra storage. Most times it usually a case of making some simple shelves to fit in to your space or a simple closed cabinet if you prefer closed storage. Either way, don’t ignore those little nooks and crannies in your home especially if your home is small.
6. use baskets, boxes and hooks
I’m a big fan of small storage that can help you get tidy very quickly and thats exactly what storage baskets, boxes and wall hooks do. They are practical to have dotted around the home and you can get some beautiful, minimalist ones that look great too – nothing beats functional storage that also looks like a beautiful decor item. They’re especially handy for things like quickly tidying up toys in the living room or scarves/gloves and accessories in the entryway or a place for hanging utensils in a small kitchen. Boxes are great for stacking when you need more than one. I use simple wooden boxes for storing veggies in my kitchen and it looks so much neater than having bags of potatoes and onions lying around!
7. extend your counter space with a trolley/cart
Counter space can be limited in small kitchens, bathrooms and even in small living rooms and bedrooms. As impractical as it may sound, leaving space empty especially in small rooms is the key to making them look bigger and less cluttered. So adding too much bulky or built-in storage like cabinets or chests is usually not the answer. Instead try a simple cart that can be used as storage as well as a feature – I don’t know why they’re still called bar carts because they are handy for so much more than just keeping drinks on. Carts or trolleys are also handy to create a minimal, barely there room divider, ideal for small open plan spaces. You can find trolleys in all shapes and sizes from short little ones to narrow and tall ones, depending on your space and needs.
If you pick just one of these storage ideas for small spaces, you can make a difference to how tidy the room looks pretty quickly. Which one are you keen to try?
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