Find Storage Solutions for Small Apartments

Photo Credit: (iStockPhoto/YinYang)

In small spaces, clutter can seem twice as overwhelming. Small appliances, piles of clothes and rows of toiletries may appear endless, when they’re really quite manageable with a few space-saving storage solutions. Whether you live in a loft, studio, one-bedroom apartment or simply a small rental home, you can regain your sanity with a few simple organizational pieces designed to maximize your minimal space.

In the pantry, hang an over-the-door pocketed shoe organizer for spices, bags of grains, soup cans and more. Depending on the model you purchase, these sturdy compartments can hold the weight of up to 36 pairs of shoes, so don’t be shy about loading them full of stuff. You can also use this solution in your linen closet to store extra shampoo, soap and bathroom supplies, though you should keep medicines out of reach of children and heed temperature storage precautions.

Utilize empty wall space for storage. In your bathroom, hang an attractive cabinet or shelves for items you frequently reach for, such as toothpaste, deodorant and contact solution. In the bedroom, fill shelves with attractive, solid baskets to hold bathing suits, underwear, scarves, jewelry and other small accessories. In the kitchen, shelves can store plates, glasses and small appliances. In the pantry, install large hooks (making sure they’re attached to wall studs) for your pots, pans and utensils, and in the bedroom closet, use the hooks for hanging up your bicycle or extra coats. Store DVDs and CDs on shelves in the living room.

Purchase multi-use furniture, such as storage ottomans, platform beds with drawers or a secretary desk/dresser. A storage ottoman with tray tables stores blankets or toys inside, plus you can prop your feet on it or use the tray tables to convert it into a small dining table. Since platform beds don’t require box springs, find one with four roomy drawers underneath. Uncover the top portion of a secretary desk/dresser to work on school projects, and use the spacious drawers for clothes.

Create a closet with storage drawers and boxes, and use a curtain to conceal them. Find an empty corner or wall space, and fill it from the floor to (almost) as high as you can reach with storage boxes or drawers in all sizes. Then install a curtain track or rod from your ceiling (making sure to install it to the rafters), in front of the storage boxes. Then place a curtain along the track or rod, and your clutter is instantly managed and out of sight.

Use racks to maximize cabinet space. Vertical racks can store oddly-shaped items, such as lids with knobs, that don’t stack well, or help keep plastic storage container lids within reach. Horizontal racks can add an additional shelf for items that don’t stack to the top of the shelf, such as plates, cups and cleaning supplies. Inexpensive custom cupboard shelf and drawer kits create storage for canned goods, cleaners, food wraps and jars.

Consider under-cabinet storage options. Store stemware and mugs on an under-cabinet stemware rack, and get paper towels off the counter but still within reach with a paper towel rack installed underneath cupboards. Storage units under cabinets also come in larger sizes and as a pull-down option, so you can store countless supplies out of sight but still make them easily accessible.

In addition to the suggestions above, keep clutter at a minimum by putting things away whenever you are no longer using them. Hang up clothes and put shoes away immediately, and think hard about purchasing knick-knacks or additional decorative items for your home before you first get rid of a few things first. Hold a yard sale if you need to, which may fund your storage solutions, and remember to maintain clutter daily.

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Tagged as: Apartment Living, Apartment Storage, moving to an apartment, small apartment, small spaces, tucson apartments