Saving Space Simplified

Simple organization ideas for small spaces, apartments & renters.

Tag: small space storage

  • 20 Must-Have Items for Your Small Home

    20 Must-Have Items for Your Small Home

    20 Must-Have Items for Your Small Home

    If you live in a small home or apartment, you probably already know how quickly things can start to feel crowded. A few things left on the counter, shoes by the door, or an extra blanket on the couch can suddenly make the whole room feel cluttered.

    The good news is you don’t necessarily need more space. Sometimes you just need to make the space you already have work a little harder.

    I put together 20 items that can help with exactly that. Some add storage in places you might not be using, while others can do two jobs instead of one.

    Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1. Storage Ottoman (paid link)

    I really like furniture that can do more than one thing in a small home. A storage ottoman gives you a place to sit or put your feet up, but you can also lift the top and hide away blankets, pillows, books, or whatever else seems to collect around the living room.

    2. Over-the-Door Organizer (paid link)

    Doors are one of those storage spots that are easy to forget about. An over-the-door organizer can turn that unused space into a home for shoes, bathroom supplies, cleaning products, accessories, or even pantry items.

    3. Slim Rolling Cart (paid link)

    Have one of those awkward little gaps beside the refrigerator or bathroom vanity? A slim rolling cart might actually fit there. It’s an easy way to create storage in a spot that would otherwise go unused.

    4. Under-Bed Storage Bins (paid link)

    If there’s empty space under your bed, use it! Under-bed bins are great for things you don’t need every day, like seasonal clothes, extra bedding, shoes, or bulky sweaters.

    5. Floating Shelves (paid link)

    This is one of my favorite tricks for a small room because it gets things off the floor. Floating shelves can hold books, plants, baskets, pictures, or décor without adding another bulky piece of furniture.

    6. Nesting Tables (paid link)

    Nesting tables are especially handy when you occasionally need more table space but don’t want it taking up the room all day. Pull them apart when you need them and slide them back together when you’re done.

    7. Foldable Dining Table (paid link)

    A full-size dining table can eat up a lot of space. A folding or drop-leaf table gives you somewhere to sit for meals and can be folded down afterward to open the room back up.

    8. Bedside Caddy (paid link)

    Not enough room for a nightstand? You can still keep your phone, glasses, book, or remote close by. A bedside caddy takes up practically no floor space and keeps the little things from ending up all over the bed.

    9. Stackable Storage Bins (paid link)

    When you can’t spread out, go up. Stackable bins are useful in closets, cabinets, and pantries because they help you use some of that empty vertical space between shelves.

    10. Vacuum Storage Bags (paid link)

    Blankets and comforters can take up an unbelievable amount of closet space. Vacuum bags shrink those bulky items down and are especially useful when you’re switching clothes or bedding between seasons.

    11. Storage Bench (paid link)

    A storage bench can work really well near the front door or at the end of a bed. You get somewhere to sit while also gaining a hidden spot for shoes, blankets, bags, or other things you’d rather not have sitting out.

    12. Wall-Mounted Hooks (paid link)

    Don’t overlook your walls. A few hooks can give coats, bags, hats, towels, and other everyday items a designated place instead of letting them pile up on chairs or counters.

    13. Magnetic Spice Rack (paid link)

    If your kitchen cabinets are already packed, look at the side of your refrigerator. A magnetic spice rack can turn that empty surface into useful storage and free up a little cabinet space at the same time.

    14. Drawer Organizers (paid link)

    We’ve probably all had that one drawer where everything gets tossed in. Organizers make a surprisingly big difference because you can actually see what you have instead of digging through a pile every time you need something.

    15. Expandable Under-Sink Organizer (paid link)

    The cabinet under the sink can be frustrating because the pipes always seem to be exactly where you want to put something. An adjustable organizer can help you work around the plumbing and make better use of the space that’s left.

    16. Hanging Closet Organizer (paid link)

    If your closet has plenty of hanging space but not enough shelves, this is an easy fix. A hanging organizer adds several storage levels without having to install anything permanently.

    17. Collapsible Laundry Basket (paid link)

    A regular laundry basket takes up just as much room when it’s empty as it does when it’s full. A collapsible one can be folded flat and tucked away when you’re finished with it.

    18. Lift-Top Coffee Table (paid link)

    Here’s another piece of furniture that earns its spot in a small home. You still get a coffee table, but the hidden compartment gives you somewhere to put remotes, games, blankets, chargers, and other living-room clutter.

    19. Cord Organizer (paid link)

    Cords might seem like a small thing, but a bunch of tangled cables can make an otherwise tidy area look messy. Keeping chargers and power cords together makes the room look cleaner and also makes them easier to find.

    20. Multi-Purpose Storage Baskets (paid link)

    Sometimes you just need somewhere to quickly put the everyday stuff. Storage baskets are perfect for that. They can hold toys, blankets, magazines, pet supplies, or other odds and ends while still looking like part of the room.

    Small Home, Smarter Space

    Living in a smaller home doesn’t mean everything has to be perfectly organized all the time. What helps most is having a place for the things you actually use.

    You also don’t need to buy all 20 of these. Take a look around your home and figure out which area gives you the most trouble. Maybe it’s the closet, the kitchen, or that pile of stuff that always seems to end up by the front door.

    Start there.

    Even one or two changes can make a small room feel easier to live in.

    💡 QUICK TIP: Before bringing something new into a small home, ask yourself, “Can this do more than one job?” If it can provide storage, save space, or replace two separate items, that’s usually a pretty good sign.

  • 7 Small Space Storage Hacks That Actually Work

    7 Small Space Storage Hacks That Actually Work

    Short on space? You don’t need a bigger home—you need to make better use of the space you already have. These 7 small space storage hacks can help you organize clutter, uncover hidden storage, and make your apartment, tiny home, or small house feel more functional.

    From unused wall space to overlooked areas under furniture, these simple ideas can help you make every inch count without sacrificing style.

    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1. Use the Space Under Your Bed

    The area under your bed is one of the easiest places to create extra storage without using any additional floor space. Use low-profile storage bins or under-bed organizers for extra bedding, seasonal clothing, shoes, towels, or other items you don’t need every day.

    For a cleaner look, choose containers that slide completely underneath the bed. Clear containers can also make it easier to see what’s inside without pulling everything out.

    → Check This Product Out on Amazon (paid link)

    💡 QUICK TIP: Clear containers make it easy to see what’s stored under your bed without pulling everything out.

    2. Use Over-the-Door Storage

    Doors are often overlooked when organizing a small space. An over-the-door organizer can turn unused vertical space into convenient storage without taking up any floor space.

    Use one on a bedroom or closet door to organize shoes, accessories, cleaning supplies, toiletries, or other everyday items. Choose a slim organizer so the door can still open and close easily.

    3. Take Advantage of Vertical Wall Space

    When floor space is limited, look up. Floating shelves are an easy way to add extra storage without taking up valuable floor space.

    Use floating shelves in the kitchen for spices and dishes, in the bathroom for toiletries and towels, or in the bedroom for books, baskets, and decorative items. Keeping frequently used items within reach can help your small space stay organized while still looking stylish.

    → Check This Product Out on Amazon (paid link)

    💡 QUICK TIP: Use floating shelves above desks, beds, or counters to create extra storage without using any floor space.

    4. Choose Furniture With Hidden Storage

    In a small home, furniture can do more than one job. A storage ottoman gives you a place to sit or put your feet up while providing hidden storage for blankets, pillows, books, toys, or other everyday items.

    Look for compact furniture with built-in storage, such as storage benches, lift-top coffee tables, or ottomans. Multipurpose furniture helps reduce clutter without filling your room with extra storage cabinets.

    💡 QUICK TIP: Choose furniture that does double duty—storage ottomans, benches, and lift-top coffee tables can hide clutter while saving valuable space.

    5. Use Stackable Storage Bins

    When cabinet or closet space is tight, stackable storage bins help you use the full height of the space instead of letting valuable vertical room go to waste.

    Use them in closets, pantries, bathrooms, laundry areas, or under sinks to organize clothing, snacks, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other household essentials. Choose bins that are easy to access even when stacked so you can keep everything organized without digging through piles.

    → Check This Product Out on Amazon (paid link)

    💡 QUICK TIP: Label your stackable bins so you can quickly find what you need without having to unstack everything.

    6. Add Storage Under Your Sink

    The space underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks can quickly become cluttered. An under-sink organizer can help you use this awkward space more efficiently while keeping everyday essentials easy to reach.

    Look for a two-tier organizer that works around pipes and plumbing. Use it for cleaning supplies, sponges, toiletries, hair products, or other small items that tend to get lost in cabinets.

    💡 QUICK TIP: Use a two-tier under-sink organizer to take advantage of vertical space while leaving room around pipes and plumbing.

    7. Use Narrow Spaces for Extra Storage

    Those small gaps beside a refrigerator, washer, vanity, or cabinet don’t have to go to waste. A slim rolling storage cart can turn a narrow unused space into convenient storage without taking up much room.

    Use a narrow cart for pantry items, cleaning supplies, toiletries, laundry products, or other everyday essentials. Wheels make it easy to slide the cart out when you need something and tuck it away again when you’re finished.

    → See this slim rolling storage cart on Amazon (paid link)

    💡 QUICK TIP: Measure narrow gaps beside appliances or cabinets before buying a rolling cart so you can make use of every inch.

    Make the Most of Every Inch

    Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to live with clutter. By using overlooked areas, vertical space, and smart storage solutions, you can create a home that feels more organized and functional.

    Start with one or two of these small-space storage hacks and see what works best in your home. Even a few simple changes can make a big difference when every inch counts.

    Save this post for later and check out more small-space organization and decorating ideas from Saving Space Simplified!